When I began seriously considering lasik surgery to correct my nearsightedness, one of my many concerns was price. Obviously, it would not be smart to base the choice of doctor or lasik center on cost alone. The reality is, however, that my vision insurance did not cover the procedure so like it or not the cost of the surgery would play a part in my decision. Two things I found in doing my research are that prices vary, sometimes widely, and the price you see or hear advertised is not the price you will end up paying. The only way to really know how much lasik surgery will cost you is to research prices in your area and consult with local doctors.
I live in a major metropolitan area on the East coast so I was able to shop around and compare prices both in the city and in a couple of very nearby suburbs. The first thing I learned, is that prices are quoted per eye so you can pretty much count on paying at least double the advertised price. I say at least because another thing I learned is that those low prices that are frequently advertised and sound too good to be true do not apply to everyone. In fact, not once did they apply to me due to my prescription. I called four different centers in my area. All of them were very eager to get me to come in for a consultation, but one was downright pushy and borderline rude. Maybe I am a bit naive, but I did not expect to encounter high pressure sales tactics when researching corrective eye surgery. I most definitely did, though, and in talking with friends my experience was not an isolated incident. I wanted to know what my total cost would be and what services were included in the price. I asked about follow up appointments, prescription meds I might need following surgery, glasses, eye shields and anything I could think of that might add to the cost. I would have asked about cotton balls and band aids if I thought they were applicable. The one thing I would stress above all else is ask questions. Be absolutely clear on what is and what is not covered in the price you are given.
In the end, the prices I was given ranged from about $1,750 to just under $3,000 per eye, which is a pretty significant spread. In all honesty, I was not able to determine exactly why the prices I was given differed so much from one practice to the next. The center I ended up choosing was not the cheapest nor the most expensive, but rather the one with which I felt most comfortable. Their price just happened to fall in the middle.