Lasik Eye Correction

What justifies the wide price range differences in laser vision correction (lasik) surgery?

I was quoted $999 from someone with a pretty good deal of experience but have seen prices to $5000 for a friend of mine. And in a related topic, is the all laser version better, worse or roughly the same as having the eye incision made by blade?

Public Comments

1. prices vary as to the severity of eye problems, and some things that lasik can do cannot be done with a scalpel and vice versa.
2. Depends on the skills of the doctor and the facilities, it is always risky. From http://eye-care.in
3. The price varies according to the technology (custom or "standard") as well as the after care. Many places that offer those lower rates are not including any of the followup whereas my facility all followup for a year is included in that price so it is a little higher. We are at 1500 an eye
4. Usually private doctors/centers will charge a higher rate than say a large corporation. Some places will offer a package deal where others may have a separate fee for preop, post op, surgery and other things such as punctal plugs and what not. Usually the biggest difference in cost is technology. Intralase ( blade less is more expensive, it has benefits such as taking away less corneal tissue and reduces risks associated with creating the flap ( thus, no blade) There have been studies that say intralase can cause photophobia, ( extreme sensitivity to light) I have worked for a laser center that uses intralase 98% of the time and I have never heard off a complaint like that other than the usual sensitivity that is normal while healing from the entire procedure. I personally had the keratome ( bladed) used for my eyes and didn't have a problem ( only because at the time that was my only option) if intralase was available at the center I went to I probably would have went with that. Hope I helped