Many (but not all) providers include the following in their quoted prices:

• Initial evaluation
• Complete eye examination (including time and equipment)
• Post-surgery follow-up visits for services not covered by your insurance
• Post-surgery tests
• Standard medications
• Surgeon and facility fees

Many providers also include a touch-up (enhancement) procedure if needed, free of charge. However, some providers have strict guidelines you need to follow to qualify for a free touch-up. If a team of doctors reviews your case, their time is usually included. Other providers charge a fee for touch-ups-usually a lot less than the initial procedure.

Your provider may or may not charge more for the latest technology. However, some studies show Wavefront-guided and Wavefront-optimized LASIK and an all-laser flap lead to fewer complications and fewer touch-ups, as well as a higher chance of 20/20 vision. You’ll want to consider the value of this technology as well as the cost.

Other factors may also affect LASIK pricing, include:

• Location-different regions have their own pricing trends.
• Your case-many providers charge based on the exact services you need or want.
• Included services-some providers bundle all your LASIK services (including office visits, testing and touch-up procedures) in one price. Others charge separately for some services. Be sure to ask about extra charges in advance.

If a LASIK price looks too good to be true, it may be.

Many providers have stopped offering ultra-low "bargain" prices because patients get frustrated when it applies only to select cases. Also, an especially low price may not reflect your total costs, as some services may be extra.

If you aren’t certain about a price, ask for a written estimate that tells you exactly what it includes-and what it doesn’t.

"Bargain" LASIK may also be restricted to older generation technologies, which may not give you the excellent results you can expect from newer techniques.

The following amounts are general guidelines only, based on the most commonly reported fees in the United States in 2009.

Remember that LASIK quotes are always provided for each eye individually. Double the following amounts to approximate your costs:

Conventional LASIK with a microkeratome flap:

• From $1,000 to $2,500 per eye

Custom Wavefront LASIK with an all-laser flap:

• From $1,500 to $3,000 per eye

Prices are based on Market Scope survey data and represent national averages. Prices may vary significantly in your area. ASCRS does not suggest that the price ranges or averages should prevail for any given service or product. The information is provided only as a means to help patients consider the selection of vision management options.

There are a number of ways you might be able to reduce or offset the cost of surgery:

• Check if your health insurance plan offers any coverage. Medicare and most U.S. insurance providers consider it an elective procedure and do not cover it, but other plans offer some LASIK coverage.
• Look into medical flexible spending or "cafeteria" plans offered by your employer. These let you use pretax dollars for medical expenses, including LASIK.
• Ask an accountant if you may be able to deduct the cost of LASIK from your U.S. federal income taxes.
• Several major companies in the U.S. now cover or partially cover LASIK for their employees.
• The U.S. military is making LASIK more accessible to troops, sometimes free of charge, depending on your duties.
• Modern financing and payment plans can make LASIK even more affordable for many. Some providers or third parties offer 0% financing and may not require upfront payment. Ask your surgeon if financing options are available and if this may be a good option for you.