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The Average Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery |
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Written by Webmaster
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By Dennis Tavies
 Market research is a good basis for a good decision. When you are looking for the average cost of lasik eye surgery, you need to know what is going to be included in the price. What you find out can help you to choose the best eye center or doctor.
Price Increase for LASIK
In the past few years the prices for LASIK have been rising. New procedures are used such as custom LASIK which is more expensive than traditional LASIK. Also, new technologies such as intralase increase procedural costs.
In 2002 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was between $1,550 and $1,600, but by October 2003 the average had risen to $1,710. At the end of 2004 the average cost of lasik eye surgery was a little over $1,800, and in 2005 it was $1,965.
The Prices Variance
Prices vary because different providers perform different levels of preoperative testing. It is very important that you determine if the quoted price includes the appropriate testing.
The cost of testing and surgery equipment also varies widely.
Technologies for tear film analysis, eye tracking, measurements of corneal thickness, the laser, and corneal topography and pupil size, are available at various prices and are reflected in the procedure fees.
What You Are Paying for
A variety of costs such as lease or purchase and maintenance of the laser, corneal ring segments, microkeratome and/or other devices used should cover refractive surgery fees. The excimer laser manufacturer receives a royalty fee of $100 to $150 per eye for having developed the machine. If its a custom procedure, the royalty fee per eye is between $145 and $250, depending on the laser manufacturer.
Also included in the cost of lasik surgery are masks, gloves, gowns and other items to make sure the operation is kept sterile.
There are also surgical solutions, medications and microkeratome blades used during the surgery. Office and surgical staff benefits and salaries, office equipment, rent, and office administration, insurance, patient acquisition costs, which include seminars and advertising, and surgeons fees if he or she is not on staff are all costs incurred during an eye surgery procedure.
You should take into account the average cost of lasik eye surgery but dont make your decision relying simply on cost. Ask your surgeon what is included and what is not included. LASIK is a relatively new technology and thus the long-term effects are not well known. Find out what you will have to pay for if enhancement surgery becomes necessary or if complications occur. Most important to remember is that a good surgeon is better than a good price!
Article Source : Article King Pro - Free Reprints and Distribution
Dennis Tavies interviews patients after eye surgery and publishes his findings through a series of articles. Read more at Info 4 Eye Surgery. |
