LASIK vs. Lenses: Cost Savings
- Posted on: Nov 12 2020
If you wear glasses or contacts, you are well aware of the escalating prices of eyewear. Unless you are happy with clearance frames from the local big-box store, you will likely pay a substantial amount for your next pair of prescription glasses.
Costs for contact lenses add up quickly, too. Depending on the recommended frequency of disposal, you will pay several hundreds of dollars each year for fresh lenses. Contacts that correct for astigmatism will be more expensive. And during your regular eye exam, you will also pay extra for a contact lens fitting. These hefty yearly costs are one of the many reasons New York City ophthalmologist Dr. Gregory Pamel urges patients to consider a permanent solution — LASIK vision correction.
Running the Numbers
Comparing costs is enlightening: On one side of the ledger are the costs of inconvenience, limited freedom and recurring purchases of prescription lenses, frames, contacts and disinfecting equipment. On the other side is a proven, safe and quick once-and-done procedure — a half hour in the office and 40 seconds of a cool, ultra-precise laser reshaping the cornea to focus sharp, high-definition light on the retina.
With LASIK, your freedom from frames and lenses begins immediately, and the savings start adding up, too: If your prescription changes frequently, or you simply have a habit of cracking your glasses or losing contacts, this cost savings will be immediate and significant.
Eye Opening Savings
LASIK is often a wise financial decision not only in the long term, but also in the short term. As laser technology continues to advance, prices have stabilized or even declined. And while medical insurance won’t typically cover the cost of LASIK, many financing options exist, some vision plans offer discounts, and the expense is tax-deductible.
The cost of a LASIK procedure is highly dependent on the magnitude of vision correction needed, the technology used, and of course the experience and reputation of your surgeon. Prices can range from $1,000 to $4,000 per eye, with an average cost of just above $2,000 for each. At the high end will be the wavefront LASIK technique that uses computer eye mapping to guide the advanced excimer and femtosecond lasers used by your surgeon.
To learn more about the benefits of LASIK, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pamel at his Manhattan or Astoria office by contacting Pamel Vision & Laser Group today.
Posted in: LASIK
