Lake Lazer Eye Center has been fortunate to help many patients with cataracts, presbyopia (loss of reading vision), myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism achieve better vision. Once we examine a patient’s eyes and identify a treatment path, vision correction is usually a matter of prescribing the appropriate glasses or contacts, or permanent correction with LASIK surgery or one of the modern alternatives to LASIK, like the advanced ZEISS SMILE procedure.
But, when choosing the surgical route, covering the cost of LASIK isn’t always as straightforward. This is due to how insurance companies view certain vision correction procedures. As vital as good eyesight is to your quality of life, your insurer considers laser eye surgery to correct refractive errors as an elective – or “cosmetic” – procedure. Before you write off surgery as unaffordable, consider your options for paying for LASIK.
What is the cost of LASIK?
The national average cost for laser eye surgery is about $2,200 – $2,800 per eye in the United States, but the price will rise considerably for lens replacement. A standard monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) averages $3,800 per eye, while refractive lens exchange (RLE) ranges from $4,700 to almost $6,900 per eye. For the average person, that may seem insurmountable, but there are payment options that make these costs manageable.
How can I afford LASIK?
First, work with your eye surgery practice to see if your situation might qualify you for vision or medical coverage for LASIK surgery or the ZEISS SMILE procedure. If you have cataracts or have multiple vision problems that can be addressed in one procedure, it is worth contacting your insurance provider or Medicare to try to get your treatment covered.
If medical coverage is not an option, or will pay only for cataract removal, there are other options for defraying costs or financing LASIK:
- FSA/HSA. Many employers offer flexible spending accounts or health spending accounts that can be used to pay part or all of the cost of vision correction surgery.
- Tax deductions. The IRS considers vision correction surgery a tax-deductible expense. Consult your tax preparer to see what you can claim and how to do it.
- Financing. Lake Lazer Eye Center offers our patients multiple ways to cover the investment in surgery, including 0% interest plans and extended plans with low monthly payments (with approved credit).
Lake Lazer Eye Center is committed to helping you choose the treatment that’s right for you – and the means of affording it – so you can enjoy better vision sooner.
The first step to better eyesight is a thorough LASIK consultation with your surgeon, Dr. Khambati, at Lake Lazer Eye Center. Schedule your appointment at your convenience by calling us at (586) 792-3891 or request an appointment with us online.
