What Is the Price of LASIK?

At Black Hills Regional Eye Institute, we want to keep our patients informed on what to expect when they undergo vision treatment. One of the most important considerations for patients is the price of LASIK surgery. According to national averages, LASIK costs between $2,000 and $3,000 per eye. The doctors at our Rapid City laser eye surgery practice determine the cost of each patient’s LASIK surgery after performing a comprehensive LASIK screening. During this examination, we will measure the degree of refractive error, ensure that the patient meets the general and medical requirements for LASIK surgery, and discuss the different technology that can be used during treatment. Once the screening is complete and we have approved the patient as an ideal candidate for LASIK, we can provide more specific cost information.

Variations in LASIK Prices

The cost of LASIK varies by patient. The reasons for this variation in LASIK prices include:

Use of the iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser: During the initial stage of LASIK, a three-sided flap is created in the outer layers of the cornea. These incisions can be made with a blade microkeratome or a laser. The femtosecond laser was developed to more precisely create the corneal flap in LASIK surgery and reduce the risk of flap complications. Use of this advanced technology increases the price of LASIK surgery.
Use of Custom LASIK Technology: With custom LASIK technology, a three-dimensional wavefront map is produced for each eye, detailing the lower and higher aberrations that impair vision. This computerized map guides the excimer laser while the cornea is reshaped, ensuring that the unique aberrations are corrected. Use of custom wavefront LASIK equipment increases the cost of LASIK surgery.
The Degree of Refractive Error: The degree, or severity, of the patients’ refractive errors affect the cost of LASIK. Patients with higher degrees of myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are likely to see an increase in the cost of LASIK, as higher degrees of refractive error are more difficult to treat.
Astigmatism: If a patient has astigmatism, in addition to myopia or hyperopia, the cost of LASIK may be higher.

LASIK Payment Options

At our Rapid City LASIK practice, we are committed to making LASIK prices affordable to patients. We offer several payment options to help patients plan and pay for LASIK surgery.

CareCredit Financing: CareCredit is the leading financing program for healthcare services. Cardholders can use CareCredit to pay for the cost of LASIK upfront; the patient then makes monthly payments to CareCredit to pay off the loan amount. CareCredit is a reputable company that is known to offer no- or low-interest rates when purchases are paid off quickly.
Flex Spending Accounts: Patients can divert a portion of their paychecksinto a flex or medical spending account. The money that goes into these types of accounts is not taxed, so patients can more easily save money for medical treatments. Check with your employer to find out if you can use a Flex or medical spending account to pay for LASIK.
Cash, check, and credit cards: We also offer the more traditional forms of payment, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards.