Make a Surgery Decision Not a Financial One

The Cost of Lasik

The wide range of price for Lasik raises quality concerns.

The price for Lasik varies dramatically. You need to be sure you get what you pay for. Some national chains advertise Lasik prices as low as €599 an eye, but a look at the financial reports of those same chains will find that the average Lasik cost is about €1,850 per eye. The price of Lasik varies from about €1,400 to €2,900 per eye, depending on the surgeon and the technology.

Nobody wants to pay too much for anything, but this is microsurgery on your eyes. If the best available surgeon is unaffordable, then the wise choice may be to not have Lasik at all. An inexperienced doctor is no bargain at any price. If you go on the cheap and something goes wrong, you may never forgive yourself. That said, just because someone charges a lot does not make them a better doctor, nor does charging less make them an inferior doctor. What is important is to focus on the quality of the surgeon and keep price secondary.

Lasik Price Transparency

There are many different refractive surgery techniques with variable costs. Conventional Lasik ablation will likely be less expensive than wavefront custom Lasik. All-Laser Lasik will likely be more expensive than Lasik with a mechanical microkeratome. PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, and NearVision CK may have slightly different costs than Lasik. Refractive Lense Exchange is likely to be more expensive than Lasik. Some clinics charge extra for "lifetime acuity" plans that provide additional surgery if required later.

You may respond to the €599 ad, but be "upsold" into something much more expensive.

Lasik is an elective surgery that is market driven and being sold to you. To some degree your surgeon is your salesperson, but the better doctors will not try to sell you something that would not be to your benefit.

Perspective

Would you purchase a pair of glasses out of a basket at a pharmacy and expect to be able to see well? Perhaps you would see okay, but you would probably only want to wear glasses custom made for you and that provide the most accurate correction for your eyes. Lasik is much the same. We don't mean to equate €599 Lasik to a pharmacy, but you get the idea.

You will live with the results of your refractive surgery, good or bad, for the rest of your life.

Give yourself the best chance at getting the best possible result.

Discount LASIK

LASIK surgery charges vary greatly and are oftentimes advertised at what seems "too good to be true" pricing. Corporate LASIK discounters frequently advertise discount prices. Those prices offered in the ad only apply to a limited group of patients who qualify for the "lowest advertised price." These patients typically have a very low prescription with no astigmatism. Most patients ultimately pay substantially more, thus being attracted to a "bait and switch" approach often used in sales.

When there are significant charge differences between local LASIK centers and a corporate LASIK discounter, patients should find out for themselves which laser technology will be used, and how these technologies differ. Because the technology used in LASIK is difficult to understand, patients often do not perceive the differences. The differences between a premium LASIK center and a corporate LASIK discounter are blurred by the perception that LASIK is a commodity, much like a TV or a refrigerator, and is all the same. This is far from the truth.

Excimer laser manufacturers require from the LASIK Clinic additional upgrade and per/procedure fees for newer up-to-date technology, such as CustomVue with wavefront guided treatment options. High Street Lasik providers reduce their charges by using an Excimer laser that is less expensive to operate. The patient should know if they are receiving advanced technology custom wavefront guided treatment versus older conventional treatment or even Wavefront optimised. The patient should also ask whether their flap will be made with a conventional, hand-held mechanical blade or advanced technology IntraLase femtosecond computerised laser. Especially in the field of LASIK, technology is very important. Just as with computers, mobile phones and HDTV, constant upgrades and new improved technology, are more expensive but they are much better.

In terms of surgeon involvement, the patient should also know that High street laser providers utilise their staff in an assembly line approach, relying on inexperienced staff to conduct preoperative consultations, testing, and tentative clearance for surgery. Accurately screening patients is the key to avoiding complications. Many times at a corporate LASIK discounter, you may not meet your surgeon until five minutes prior to having your LASIK procedure performed. Will you really have a chance to meet and get to know your surgeon in this time frame? Will your surgeon really have an opportunity to understand what your needs and expectations are? Is your surgeon local? In the event of a surgery related complication will your surgeon be present to see you at short notice. The corporate LASIK discounter's national experience is irrelevant compared to the experience of the surgeon who will be performing your procedure. Corporate LASIK discounters may claim to have vast experience, but this is typically across the nation among all their surgeons. The doctor you may see, however, may not have the results and experience implied by the corporate LASIK discounter's promotions.

While LASIK is very low risk, it is not considered to be no risk surgery. If you experience a complication 12 months later will your original surgeon be there to identify and treat it? Find out if you will be seen and examined by your surgeon post operatively or will you be assigned to a less qualified staff member who was not there at the time of your surgery. Depending on the problem, this may have an impact on your results.

You also want to know exactly what the price includes. Are enhancements included? How long is the follow up? What are some of the add-on costs not described in the promotional ad? What kind of "customer service" should you expect?

The cost difference between a premium LASIK center and a corporate discounter should be considered fairly insignificant when averaged over a patient's lifetime. Price oriented advertisements should be viewed as a warning sign to proceed with caution.