How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost?

Full-price LASIK eye surgery costs approximately $1,000 to $3,000 per eye, with a national average of $2,632.¹ While its price tag might seem daunting, LASIK can be a money saver for people who regularly purchase glasses and contacts. Read on to learn more about how much LASIK eye surgery costs and whether insurance covers this procedure.

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Key Takeaways

On average, LASIK eye surgery typically costs around $2,632 per eye, but factors like your prescription, surgeon, and location can affect the final price.¹
Many health insurance plans don’t cover LASIK when it’s an elective procedure.⁴
Aflac’s network vision insurance offers discounts on LASIK eye surgery at participating providers . Aflac also offers supplemental vision insurance (additional insurance coverage that helps with expenses that may not be covered by your network insurance plan) that can pay you cash benefits directly, unless otherwise assigned, for eligible vision care expenses.

What is LASIK eye surgery?

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, better known as LASIK, is a type of surgery that helps improve eyesight. During LASIK, the eye surgeon uses lasers and other tools to change the shape of the cornea. The procedure helps improve eyesight for adults with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.²

How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?

On average, LASIK eye surgery without insurance costs $2,632 per eye and $5,264 for both eyes.¹ The cost can vary greatly, so check LASIK providers in your area to compare rates.

One way to reduce costs is to pay for LASIK through a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). These accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical expenses, which can help make LASIK more affordable and save you money overall.¹

Factors that affect how much you’ll pay for LASIK eye surgery

The cost of LASIK eye surgery can vary based on several factors, such as the following:¹

Your vision prescription

Prescription strength can have a major impact on how much LASIK eye surgery costs. For instance, people who are only mildly nearsighted often pay less for LASIK than people with severe astigmatism.

Type of surgical procedure

Most people think of LASIK as one kind of surgery, but there are several different types, each of which uses various technologies and tools. A good example of this is wavefront-guided LASIK. Also called custom LASIK, this procedure uses advanced laser technology to create a three-dimensional image of the eye. Using the latest technology, however, typically comes at a higher cost.³

Post-operative prescriptions

After LASIK eye surgery, eye doctors often prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops. Those prescriptions, plus follow-up appointments to check on your progress, may be included in the price of the surgery.

Your location

Your location can also affect the price of LASIK. People in areas where the cost of living is high typically pay more for the procedure.

Surgeon experience and reputation

More experienced or highly reputable surgeons often charge more. This is often due to higher demand and better outcomes.

Does insurance cover LASIK eye surgery?

Insurance companies typically don’t pay for LASIK because it’s usually considered an elective procedure.⁴ However, there are some situations where health insurance does offer partial coverage or discounts for LASIK. Some health plans also cover LASIK if you need it for medical reasons, such as:⁴

An injury or surgery caused your vision problems.
You have an allergy that makes wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses impossible
You have severe eye problems that corrective lenses can’t adequately fix.

Does vision insurance cover LASIK eye surgery?

While vision insurance doesn’t typically pay for LASIK eye surgery, some plans can offer discounts. For instance, Aflac network vision insurance offers discounted LASIK procedures at participating providers .

With the eligible benefits you can receive from our vision insurance plan, the cost of LASIK eye surgery can be reduced . Speak with an Aflac agent to learn more about our vision insurance plans.

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What else does vision insurance cover?

Our network vision insurance plans also help with the following:

Aflac also offers supplemental vision insurance through worksite payroll deduction. This plan pays cash benefits directly to policyholders, unless assigned otherwise, that they can use for vision expenses, such as eye surgeries.

Additionally, you can also buy a Dental, Vision and Hearing (DVH) Insurance plan. This plan provides three types of coverage collectively into one policy. With our DVH Elite and DVH Core Plans , you can choose a coverage level that meets your needs.

How to get a vision insurance plan

Many people can apply for Aflac’s network vision insurance through their employers. If your employer doesn’t provide vision insurance, consider starting a conversation with them about offering this type of coverage. You can also get a quote for supplemental vision insurance from Aflac by taking the following steps:

Fill out this short online form, entering your age, zip code, and the people you want to insure.
Click the Get Started button.
Ask to speak to an agent or schedule a call for later.
Submit your contact information.

Next, an agent will call to discuss your insurance goals.

Aflac vision insurance can help cover vision care expenses

Vision insurance can be worth the cost for anyone who needs corrective lenses. A network vision insurance plan from Aflac includes a discount for LASIK eye surgery. Additionally, Aflac’s supplemental vision insurance pays cash benefits direct to the policyholder, unless otherwise assigned, which can help you with vision care expenses. These plans might help you save money in the long run. Start chatting with an agent about Aflac’s vision insurance coverage options and get a quote today.

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