Some Factors Affecting Laser Eye Surgery Prices
The laser eye surgery price varies extensively for a variety of factors. The location of the office where the procedure is performed, the experience of the doctor that performs it, and the type of procedure that is being used.
Location
Laser eye surgery prices can depend a lot on the location of the eye care center where the surgery is being performed. As with all products and services, this variation has a lot to do with the idea of supply and demand. In a city where there are many eye clinics that provide laser eye surgery, the prices may be lower for competitive reasons. If there are only a few clinics in the area, they can charge more, taking advantage of the fact that people are willing to pay a lot for receiving the treatment.
The experience of the surgeon who will be performing the procedure is also an important factor in determining laser eye surgery prices. A doctor still in the learning phase, even if highly skilled, will usually charge less than a very experienced one. Many patients are willing to pay more to be treated by an experienced physician they can trust. Most people believe that quality is more important than price in this type of surgery.
Type of Procedure
Laser surgery prices depend most on the type of surgical procedure that the patient needs. Many patients with different eye conditions may need more specialized and therefore more expensive procedures. The average price for a basic LASIK procedure ranges between $1500 and $2000. Custom LASIK surgery usually costs much more. Generally, doctors charge an additional fee of $500 or more for a customized procedure. If the surgeon uses a 3-D map of the eye to observe all irregularities, the price can increase about $1000, getting to a total cost of $2500 – $3000.
There are many eye care centers that advertise their services at bargain prices. However, you should remember that the average laser eye surgery price is around $1500 and therefore look for hidden costs when certain procedures seem incredibly cheap. Although quality is more important than price, you should remember that high price doesn’t always equate high quality. A thorough research of all the factors involved will improve your chances of getting a successful treatment.
