LASIK Eye Surgery Cost

Understanding the LASIK Investment

Identify LASIK costs and what the long-term financial benefits of LASIK are.

As you explore LASIK eye surgery, one of the first questions many people have is “How much does LASIK cost?” At Wilmington Eye, we understand that people want a safe procedure but also consider cost to be a significant part of the decision-making process. Let’s look at the cost of LASIK eye surgery, the long-term value of vision correction surgery, and how Wilmington Eye compares to national averages.

How Much Does LASIK Cost?

In the US, the average cost of LASIK in 2024 is anywhere between $1,500 to $3,500 per eye ($3,000 to $7,000 for the entire procedure). Many factors can influence the cost of LASIK, such as geographic location, the specific technology used, the experience of the doctor, and additional services that are offered. For example, LASIK in New York City is likely more expensive than LASIK here in Wilmington, NC.

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Is LASIK Worth It?

When considering if LASIK eye surgery is worth the financial investment, it’s important to consider both the upfront costs of the procedure and the long-term costs associated with corrective lenses. Oftentimes, people consider the upfront costs of LASIK without looking at the recurring costs of wearing glasses or contact lenses. In fact, when you do the math, it’s often the case that LASIK is more affordable than the recurring costs of corrective lenses. For example, over a 15-year period, a person wearing glasses can expect to pay $5,000 on recurring costs like new glasses or lenses. During that same 15-year period, a contact lens wearer can pay upwards of $10,000 on new contacts, solution, and cases.

The Added Value of LASIK

It’s also important to factor in the intangible benefits like convenience, comfortability, and safety. After LASIK, you won’t have to worry about running out of contact lenses or your prescription expiring each year. You also won’t have to deal with constantly wiping smudges off your glasses or the discomfort of wearing them for several hours. And, if you are guilty of habits like sleeping in your contacts, showering with them, or exposing them to any type of water (i.e. swimming), then you should know this puts you at risk of serious eye infections that can cause irreversible vision loss. After LASIK, you can simply wake up every day and see!

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Pre-Operative Appointments, Scans, and Tests

All of your pre-operative appointments, any additional scans or tests the doctor orders and any follow-up appointments with our team are included in the cost of LASIK. This is important because we take extensive measures to ensure only the most qualified patients receive LASIK.

A Custom Surgical Plan

At Wilmington Eye, you meet with your surgeon on day one to discuss your individual vision goals and to create your custom surgical plan. We take into account not just your prescription, but your unique visual imperfections to ensure you achieve the best surgical outcomes. At many chain-like LASIK providers, you won’t meet your surgeon until the day of your procedure.

Your LASIK Procedure

While the LASIK procedure itself takes less than 20 minutes, you’ll spend 1.5 to 2 hours at our LASIK facility having some final tests run and meeting with your surgeon one last time to answer any remaining questions. You’ll also meet with our LASIK team to discuss post-operative care and to schedule your post-op appointments. A loved one will need to accompany you and they can view the entire procedure from our surgical suite.

Post-Operative Appointments for A Year

By following our patients for a whole year after LASIK surgery, we ensure you are satisfied with the results of your procedure. We’ll see you 24 hours after your procedure, one week after your procedure, then at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. We monitor your healing and visual stability as well as monitor any side effects, such as dry eye, that may arise.

As-Needed LASIK Enhancement

Roughly 4% of patients can be over- or under-corrected following their LASIK procedure. For these patients, your surgeon will determine if a LASIK enhancement is needed to achieve optimal results. If your surgeon deems an enhancement necessary, this is also included in the price of LASIK.

HSA & FSA Funds

You can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover all or some of the cost of your LASIK procedure. These pre-tax dollar funds can only be used on eligible medical expenses and vision correction procedures like LASIK count as approved medical expenses.

Interest-Free Financing

We partner with CareCredit to offer interest-free LASIK financing to those that qualify. Plus, we also have flexible payment plans that work for any budget. A patient can receive LASIK for as little as $250 per month.

Discount Pricing for Eligible People

We offer discounted pricing for healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, active-duty military members, and veterans. Plus, we have various LASIK events throughout the year that patients can attend. Attendees receive $500 of the price of their procedure. Call our LASIK team at 910.772.8223 to find out if you qualify for a discounted price based on your occupation.

Graduation, Wedding, Birthday Gifts

What better gift is there than the gift of sight? Many patients have received LASIK free of cost as a gift from a family member or loved one for achieving a particular milestone or to celebrate a certain holiday.

Wilmington’s Trusted LASIK Provider

As Wilmington’s leading LASIK provider, we’ve helped thousands of patients achieve clear vision without glasses or contacts. Our 4 LASIK surgeons are board-certified with over 80 years of collective experience providing LASIK. Plus, we utilize the latest technology to ensure optimal surgical outcomes. Achieve visual freedom today and discover if you qualify for LASIK.

Find Out If You Qualify For LASIK