There are many benefits to be gained from LASIK surgery, including immediately treating issues that most people spend a lifetime working around. However, today we’d like to focus on one benefit in particular: the cost.
At first glance, glasses or contact lenses seem much cheaper than opting for LASIK. After a year, you’ll realize just how much you’re paying regularly. When you add up that amount over a lifetime, getting LASIK surgery is a much cheaper and more reliable option than sticking with glasses or contact lenses.
Today, we’ll delve into the cost of each option, and show you everything you’ll need to decide for yourself.
What is LASIK, and Who Can Get It?
LASIK is a quick and easy elective surgery that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Each of these issues affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. It’s estimated that more than 30% of Americans are either nearsighted or farsighted, with astigmatism affecting 1 in 3 individuals worldwide.
When a person undergoes LASIK surgery, the surgeon carefully uses a laser to correct the shape of the cornea, which should improve their vision almost immediately. The surgery generally takes less than an hour, and most patients heal quickly. Vision settles within 2-3 months, and as your eye heals, your vision will begin to improve, with 90% of patients achieving their desired vision after their procedure.
How Much Does LASIK Cost?
Depending on where you go, LASIK surgery can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 for both eyes, with the majority of patients spending around $3,000 to $4,000 in total. This may seem like a large initial investment, especially since most insurance policies will not cover an elective procedure like LASIK.
One factor that contributes to the cost of your LASIK procedure is the technology your surgeon chooses to use. The best surgeons are trained in advanced technology and use only the newest generation of lasers which can map even the smallest flaws and defects within your optical system.
Why Get LASIK?
Although LASIK requires an initial investment of $3,000 or more, we still believe it’s a major saving when you compare the cost of glasses or contact lenses over a lifetime. Additionally, there are other cost-saving benefits that may not be initially apparent.
The Cost of Glasses and Contacts Adds Up
Many people balk at the initial cost of LASIK. However, it’s important to look at the cost of LASIK compared to the cost of glasses or contacts over a lifetime. Contact lens wearers spend upwards of $30 a month for new lenses and contact solutions, plus intermittent costs for lens cases and other accessories. That’s a minimum of $360 per year, or $3,600 every 10 years.
If you’ve opted for glasses, you can expect to pay an average of $343 per pair. Most people require a new pair every year. That’s more than $3,400 every 10 years! That also doesn’t include broken pairs that need to be replaced more often or prescription sunglasses.
The average cost of LASIK corresponds to roughly ten years of the minimum payments for glasses or contact lenses. If you’re diagnosed with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism at 30, you’ll be paying for corrective lenses for at least 40 more years, spending a minimum of $13,000.
LASIK Helps Prevent Long-Term Health Issues
Many individuals who opt out of LASIK end up choosing contact lenses because they believe they’re simpler and easier than getting surgery. However, if you’re not careful, your contact lens use can cause long-term health issues.
Ophthalmologists estimate that the majority of contact lens users do not follow proper instructions for use, which can lead to infections and other issues that will be both painful and costly to treat. Keratitis, an irritating cornea infection, is often caused by wearing contact lenses for too long, or by poor sanitation during insertion or removal.
Total Vision Correction Ensures Fewer Eye Exams
8 out of 10 individuals who opt for LASIK surgery do not need to use glasses or contact lenses for most activities after their eyes have healed. This means that their vision is so good that they won’t require regular eye exams. This is a cost that can quickly add up if you’re having to get exams regularly and fill new prescriptions. If your insurance doesn’t cover it, you can easily spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket every year.
Ready to Choose LASIK? Call the Abrams Eye Institute
In addition to the cost-saving benefits, there are many other benefits to choosing LASIK. It removes the hassle of dealing with contact lenses or glasses daily and ensures that you’ll never be limited by poor vision.
Still want to know more? Get in touch with the team at the Abrams Eye Institute. We have clinics all over Nevada, and our surgeons have performed more than 15,000 surgeries, using all the most updated and advanced technology. We’re always available to talk to patients who are considering LASIK and would love to help ease your mind.
