With the LASIK laser eye surgery, eye conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism would just be a thing of the past…if the price is right!
Yes, despite the huge efforts to make the medical procedures affordable for all, sadly, that is not entirely happening. At least not yet.
This is where VSP Vision care and other vision insurance companies come in the picture. When most medical insurance companies would be so reluctant to cover eye care due to the issue of necessity, VSP tries to make the price affordable for their plan holders.
So how much does LASIK cost with VSP? Let us find out below.
Average Cost of Lasik with VSP
According to RealSelf.com, the average price of LASIK eye surgery is $2,825, as submitted by some patient members who have undergone the procedure from all locations here and abroad.
On the other hand, the figure was $2,059 per eye in 2016 and $2,077 in 2015 across the United States. According to AllAboutVision.com the cost ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per eye.
However, the VSP LASIK coverage depends on the insurance plan you have availed.
There are four types of LASIK eye surgery being performed by eye surgeons nowadays. These are the following:
- Wavefront Optimized LASIK
This type uses the detailed measurements of the curvature of the cornea and is done to preserve the natural shape of the front surface of the eye thus reducing spherical aberrations that are the risk of other laser refractive surgeries.
- Wavefront-Guided LASIK
This type uses the detailed measurement of how light waves travel through the eye thus making the procedure more personalized depending on your needs. This procedure can also correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
- Topography-Guided LASIK
This is the type that uses advanced mapping technology to create a highly personalized treatment for the eyes.
- All-Laser LASIK
This type is also known as Bladeless LASIK which uses a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap thereby eliminating the need to use surgical blades during the operation.
The following is a breakdown of per region cost figures, according to Qualsight.com.
| Region | One Price Model | Custom Bladeless | Custom Bladed | LASIK* Bladed | Custom PRK |
| Midwest | $2,182 | $2,089 | $1,990 | $1,756 | $2,414 |
| Mountain | $2,091 | $2,028 | $1,816 | $1,586 | $1,905 |
| Northeast | $2,409 | $2,213 | $2,202 | $1,883 | $2,036 |
| South | $2,156 | $2,228 | $1,906 | $1,631 | $2,120 |
| West | $2,444 | $1,972 | $1,628 | $1,521 | $1,850 |
| Total | $2,259 | $2,119 | $1,866 | $1,677 | $2,081 |
What are Included?
The inclusions in the cost of LASIK vary depending on the package being offered by the eye clinic or the surgeon but typically comprise everything, to wit:
- Initial pre-operative screening
- The LASIK eye surgery procedure
- One year retreatment plan
- Post-operative checkups
In the case of VSP LASIK coverage, the package includes everything mentioned above plus any additional LASIK procedures and enhancements that might be necessary after the first surgery.
Additional Expenses
After the surgery, you may feel some mild discomfort such as feeling a foreign body sensation in the eyes, tearing or watering, and may also feel irritated and dry. To address these, your surgeon might recommend mild pain reliever.
Shopping for Lasik with VSP
There are a lot of eye surgeons around the country and you can even ask for a referral from your resident optometrist or ophthalmologist. But if you are on the lookout for eye services for the first time, this locator might help you find eye doctor specializing in Lasik procedure.
Factors Affecting Cost of Lasik with VSP
One or both eyes – the pricing is by the eye so the need to have both eyes corrected would naturally double the cost.
Surgeon – expect the cost of the procedure to be affected by the level of expertise and experience of the surgeon performing the operation. You may also include the popularity of the said surgeon as another factor.
The severity of the condition – the rule of thumb is that the poorer your vision is or the more severe your eye problem is, the higher the cost of the procedure.
The type of LASIK surgery – there are actually different types of LASIK, each of which is priced differently because of the technology involved.
Eye Center – the prices also differ depending on your choice of the facility as some eye centers charge higher compared to others mainly due to how sophisticated the center is in terms of the surgical machines and tools.
Location – the cost of living and the cost of doing business in a particular area are usually a factor in the pricing as the more progressive states and cities the location where the surgery is performed, the higher fee you have to pay.
Insurance – most insurance companies usually do not cover LASIK eye surgery because it is considered an elective surgery or even a cosmetic one. But with VSP Vision Care, you may be entitled to some discounts or may even be covered depending on the type of plan you have availed.
Financing options – if you are in dire need to undergo the surgery but you are uninsured or your insurance does not cover the eye procedure, some eye centers and surgeons offer affordable financing plans that can range from six to 24 months but require a down payment, proof of income, and a good credit standing.
Work – some employers extend some forms of medical benefits to employees that include eye care. Other cases such as military personnel or other occupation that requires some vision acuity requirements can sometimes be covered when some specific qualifications are met.
Flexible spending account – your employer may allow you to set aside a fund for medical expenses such as the LASIK eye surgery through the Flexible Spending Account. This account is tax-free so you can be able to save some cost, usually around 25% to 30% which you could benefit from when the time for the surgery comes.
Special offers and promotions – when you are recommended to undergo the LASIK surgery, be sure to be on the lookout for some promotional offers that are usually advertised and posted anywhere such as online or on the clinic premises.
Additional Information
If you need both your eyes corrected through LASIK eye surgery, in most cases, they are performed on the same day, although your surgeon can accommodate your request for whatever reason. But surgeons are advising against it as much as possible as it is extremely uncomfortable to have only one eye corrected at a time, except if you only have a mild nearsightedness, in which case, a mild imbalance on the eyesight for a week or two may not be noticeable at all.
Even if you are recommended or a candidate to undergo the surgery, it helps to know what are you up to. Ask as many questions as you like to better understand it and make an informed decision later on. Some of the all-important questions you might need answers from are the following:
- What is included in the LASIK surgery?
- What type of LASIK the surgeon is going to use?
- Are the quotations for a single or both eyes?
- How many initial and follow-up checkups are covered in the project?
- Do they provide patient testimonials that you can base your decision from?
Lastly, beware of LASIK surgery that is too cheap to be legit. Most on these types of procedures can only address a mild case of nearsightedness and therefore, you might not get the advertised guaranteed satisfaction. Either that or you might get a procedure using a technology that is too old compared to what is being used today. Another issue with cheap LASIK surgery is the possibility of not getting all the services you need and if you add up all the additional costs, you may end up paying more than what you thought to be an expensive LASIK package from a reputable clinic and surgeon. So choose wisely!