Lasik Eye Correction

Why does laser eye correction cost so much? Per eye?!?

it costs £600 Thats over 1000 dollars. each eye costs over £600 (over 1000 dollars)

Public Comments

1. Because it is a purely cosmetic procedure, like Liposuction, face lifts and bot-ox
2. b/c there's a LOT of research & development involved, the lasers are very, very expensive, the liability is high, and ambulance-chasing attorneys have won lasik malpractice cases for $25 million plus. thats a bad combo for keeping the price low...
3. The laser technology is advancing, keeping the prices higher. The better and more advanced the technology, the higher the price (think of the old Atari systems of the 80s to the newest WII in video games...the WII is expensive compared to all the other video game systems right now because it is the newest). Each generation of laser and machine and software increases the risks of success and decreases the risks of failures. If the same lasers used 12 years ago were still used today, you'd see that the prices would not be as high as they are today. Also, the surgeon's personal experience costs are figured in that price. The more experienced, you would think the better their work, the more expensive. Medical school isn't cheap, and then you have the malpractice insurance costs like princeidoc said those have been run sky high by lawsuits. That's why I would run as fast as I could by the 'cheap docs'...they might feel they have nothing to lose, your eyes are just another number to them...and they may not help you choose the best technology for you. Lastly, because laser eye correction is not considered medically necessary and is an elective procedure, it seems to cost more than most surgeries because of insurance not covering it. 600 pounds = $1000 per eye? It's a little below the average here in the US ($1250-2100), but still sounds reasonable. I spent $2000/eye prior to my discount for my PRK because I had the newest wavefront technology.
4. Do to cast of laser and equipment
5. When I had it done, I was told that the machine and technology are patented - and each time they fired the laser, they had to pay a royalty - My corrective surgery was $1600 per eye.
6. Here's the real story. Way back when laser was first beginning to be used around the world there were two major laser manufacturers in competition with each other. They were fighting over who owned the rights and therefore who got to make all the money over the lasers that were sold. Well, as they fought they both realized it was costing alot so they decided to shake hands and make a deal. What they decided was to build all their lasers with the need for a card (that could only be supplied by the manufacturer to be used ONE time) in order to fire the laser. As I recall, they charge about $250 or so (can't remember exactly) for the card. Then the two companies split the $250 dollars. So, before your doctor even fires the laser he is already $250 in the hole per eye. Some places have tried to get around this fee by purchasing "gray market" lasers that have come through sources other than these manufacturers. Now, every time your surgeon fires his laser he uses about $200 worth of gases necessary to fire the laser per eye. Now, the surgeon has to pay for the laser itself. Lasers run about $500,000 or so (unless you lease the laser from the manufacturer and then you have to pay a lease fee for using the laser). Now, the surgeon has to pay for the facility and the staff to provide the best in care. So, start adding it up. 1) $250 for the card 2) $200 for the gas 3) Monthly cost of debt for the laser, facility, and staff. 4) Almost forgot --- MALPRACTICE INSURANCE!!!!!!!! There ya go. It ain't cheap to provide this type of care. If you want the best in laser and service 1) pre op exam 2) laser vision correction 3) one year of follow up care with free enhancements if needed 4) life time commitment to repeat laser if needed for a lifetime at no charge (this is what I feel is the highest level of care) it CANNOT be cheap. A laser facility simply can't stay in business if they charge less than about $1400 to $1500 per eye. If you find a place is charging dramatically less than this it means they are taking SOMETHING away from you to get the reduced fee. They do it by decreasing their SERVICES (one place I know of was only including a one day and one week follow up visit) such as shortened followup care or no free enhancements or no life time commitment. Also, be wary of facilities that aggressively promote a VERY low fee. These are bait and switch operations. They just want to get you in the door so they can manipulate you into a higher price. Once you find out exactly what you get for that $299 to $699 per eye, they KNOW that you can be easily manipulated to trade up. If you resist their pressure they will do the laser for the lower fee but if you need ANYTHING other than the laser and a couple of post op visits you will pay through the nose for any future services. It will be like "Don't call us unless you're ready to get your bill fold out big time." Hope this helped.