At Durrie Vision, we’ve seen people hesitant to pursue LASIK based on misconceptions they have about the cost. There is a lot of misleading information out there, which can make finding answers both confusing and frustrating.
To help you navigate through the whirlwind of information, we’ve created an in-depth guide to prepare you for the cost of laser eye surgery in Kansas City.
Understanding value versus cost
It may be easy to make your decision to get laser eye surgery based on numbers alone, but the value of your surgery goes far beyond the actual cost.
To understand the difference between cost and value, consider this from another angle. Say you bought a piece of antique china for $300. While the upfront cost may seem expensive to you, the value of the china – meaning what it’s worth in the long run – could be in the thousands. In that case, the $300 “splurge” ends up being a great investment.
The same thing is true with your eyes. When thinking about the value of laser eye surgery, cost is not the only consideration (though you could be saving in the long run, which we’ll discuss in the next section), it’s also about what you get out of the surgery. Ultimately, you’re investing in your vision, overall eye health, and lifestyle.
At Durrie Vision, we’ve found that once patients are able to see and understand just how a procedure could impact them in the future, most believe the long-term value outweighs the short-term cost.
The cost of contacts and glasses
Another surprising fact: The price you pay for contacts and glasses throughout the years can easily surpass the cost of laser eye surgery. Have you considered how much you’re already spending on your vision? Here are a few expenses the average glasses or contact lens wearer can expect to pay for their vision in a year. You may be surprised how quickly it all adds up.
- Average annual cost of vision insurance: $125
- Average cost of annual exam: $125
- Average annual cost of glasses: $200
- Average annual cost of contact lenses: $250
- Average annual cost of contact lens solution: $100
With the average person expected to need the above expenses for ~53 years, that’s a whopping $42,400 you may spend in your lifetime to maintain your vision needs.
What discount facilities aren’t telling you about laser eye surgery price
Driven by price alone, you may be tempted to visit a discount LASIK or eye surgery facility. Who doesn’t want a good discount, right? Unfortunately, that “discount” is often too good to be true.
First, cheaper doesn’t equal better.
When it comes to laser eye surgery—or any surgery for that matter—you don’t want to compromise your results by selecting a facility based on price alone. Surgeon experience and technology should also weigh heavily in your decision as they can significantly impact your visual results.
If you find a facility advertising LASIK for a surprisingly low cost (i.e. those popular $250 per eye ads), take into consideration why the price is so low. Many of these facilities don’t have access to the most advanced diagnostic equipment currently available; or, they may utilize outdated treatment technology. Older technology is not necessarily unsafe; however, modern technology and comprehensive diagnostic testing have been shown to deliver more precise results with less risk.
Second, numbers can be deceiving.
What these facilities really don’t want to tell you about their laser eye surgery price? The quote they give is often just a base number that comes with a lot of stipulations and fine print revealing hidden fees for standard “upgrades” not included in the price —sort of like a budget airline. If your quote for laser eye surgery price is $250, that may be the baseline price if you have a weak prescription, no astigmatism, and only come in one time, rather than an all-encompassing price reflective of a standard level of care. Therefore, that number doesn’t take into consideration the amount of correction needed, post-op appointments, technology used, etc.
Bottom line, be wary of discount LASIK facilities and always read the fine print. For the best value and results from your surgery, do your research, even visiting multiple facilities to see where you’re most comfortable, and select an experienced provider dedicated to helping you achieve your vision goals in a safe, effective, and technology-forward way.
The truth: Is LASIK expensive?
With all this talk about discount facilities, you may be wondering, “is LASIK so expensive that discount facilities exist at all?”
It depends on how you define expensive. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, the price of LASIK has remained pretty stable for the past decade. In fact, they estimate that today’s LASIK procedures are actually 20 to 30% cheaper than they were 10 years ago when factoring in inflation rates.The average cost of LASIK in 2020 typically ranges between $1,500 to $3,500 per eye depending on factors such as surgeon expertise, location, and your unique vision conditions. But as we said before, you should also consider the long-term value of a LASIK procedure, not just the initial laser eye surgery price.
With the variety of financing options and savings plans available, LASIK and other laser eye procedures may be more affordable than you think. We’ll go into more detail about financing later.
What is included with the laser eye surgery price?
When you go to a reputable facility dedicated to giving you the best results, the laser eye surgery price encompasses more than just the surgery itself.
With all of our pricing at Durrie Vision, honesty and transparency is our number one priority. We will never upcharge for prescription strength or tack on hidden fees.
At Durrie Vision, the price for laser vision correction always includes the corrections your eye requires for optimal vision. So whether you’re nearsighted, farsighted, and/or have astigmatism, your LASIK price will not vary based on your particular prescription.
We also utilize the most advanced laser technology with our procedures. Unlike many facilities, we have a variety of lasers to customize each procedure to the unique patient. However, just because you may require a different laser than someone else, it doesn’t mean we’re going to charge you more.
Beyond the surgery, our laser eye surgery price in Kansas City includes:
- Our signature, in-depth Advanced Ocular Analysis exam
- Access to the most advanced combination of diagnostic and treatment technology available
- A highly personalized experience, including one-on-one time with an experienced surgeon at your very first visit
- Post-operative appointments and follow-up visits for up to 2 years
- Any necessary enhancements for up to 2 years
How to save for laser eye surgery
The best way to make your laser eye surgery price in Kansas City more affordable is by planning ahead. There are a variety of options that could help you prepare financially for your procedure.
Save on your own
Does LASIK already fit your budget or can you set aside dollars each month to help make life without glasses and contacts a reality? Start by taking a close look at your spending habits to see where you can trim. Whether it’s a daily latte fix or redundant entertainment or music subscriptions, many of us already have a few areas within our budget where we could cut back. The ability to wake up and see is priceless – foregoing an expensive dining out habit to help get you there will be worth it in the end.
Use Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
Laser vision correction procedures are approved expenses under most Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts. By participating in an employer-sponsored FSA or HSA plan, you can set aside a portion of your pre-tax earnings each month for your vision correction procedure, which can save you hundreds depending on your personal tax situation.
While similar in concept, there are a few key differences between an FSA and HSA:
FSA Facts
- The 2021 contribution limit is $2,750.
- An FSA must be sponsored by your employer; self-employed individuals are not eligible
- An employee’s yearly FSA allocation is available on the first day of the plan year, regardless of contributions made to date
- Use it or lose it – any money left in an FSA will be forfeited at the end of that year’s plan, though some plans do provide a short grace period that may allow you to carry over some funds into the next year. Check with your employer to see if your plan allows for a grace period.
HSA Facts
- The 2021 contribution limit is $3,600 for individuals; $7,200 for families
- An HSA is only available to participants with a high-deductible health care plan
- Funds allocated to an HSA become available as they are deposited into the account
- Unused funds roll over year to year, continuing to earn interest
Laser eye surgery financing and monthly costs
If the upfront investment holds you back, financing options are available to break up the cost of laser eye surgery into easier-to-digest pieces. With these plans, you’ll pay on a monthly basis rather than worrying about paying everything upfront. For many people, this makes paying for their laser eye surgery a lot more affordable and manageable for their budgets.
At Durrie Vision we make our financing options simple with the patients’ needs in mind. You can choose a plan with $0 down and 0% interest-deferred financing for up to 24 months. Or you can choose a plan with $0 down and low monthly payments with a fixed interest rate for 60 months. We also accept both HSAs and FSAs, cash payments, checks, and credit cards.
How to Find LASIK Financing in Kansas City →
The best way to determine the cost of laser eye surgery in Kansas City: schedule a consultation at Durrie Vision
With us, you won’t get a basic, one-size-fits-all consultation. In fact, our consultation process is so in-depth that it has its own name—Advanced Ocular Analysis (AOA). During your AOA, we’ll go through a series of the most advanced diagnostic tests to gauge which procedure will be the best option to reach your vision goals. From there, we can discuss your laser eye surgery price and financing options.
Schedule your consultation or use our self-candidacy test to get started.