Why Are LASIK Fees So Variable?
At LA Sight, we offer top-tier technology, achieve great results, and charge an extremely reasonable fee. Most people are excited to find vision correction care is as affordable as $1,250 per eye, or $2,500 for both eyes.
Until April 2011 our fee for LASIK was in the range of $5,400 (for both eyes). Given that we use the Wavelight Allegretto laser and our results are as good or better than others charging as much as $6,400 for similar care, we would argue that we're 'worth' $5,400.
LASIK is a discretionary-spend item; there's no question about that. But in the era following the US sub-prime mortgage meltdown and the global economic downturn (recession, meltdown, whatever term you choose to use), discretionary income has all but evaporated. LASIK desire may persist; but the economic wherewithal to pay for it has significantly decreased. Dr. Wallace believes that LASIK is an amazing procedure and wants to continue to share the benefit of this life-changing technology, irrespective of the current economic downturn. So we made a bold decision to reduce our fee to $1,250 per eye for a limited-time.
A bargain-hunter might find this interesting and recognize a terrific opportunity. An economist might consider that we're "recalibrating on the price-volume contimuum." A competitor might think we're crazy to offer top-tier care for this insanely low price. You may hold one or another opinion but it's clear that this offer is unique, radical, and worthy of attention.
We have the ability to do this for two main reasons:
- We own our laser, which is a major investment for any vision correction practice. We are not beholden to banks or leasing companies for major equipment debt, as many practices are.
- We didn't invest in a femtosecond laser (enabling "all-laser LASIK"). All "femto" lasers (including IntraLase, Ziemer, Technolas Perfect Vision and others) add dramatically to the per-case cost of LASIK without adding significantly to safety, efficacy, or outcome accuracy of LASIK. Any surgeon who 'offers' all-laser LASIK must up-sell this to all their patients, at an added cost of $350 to $380 per eye. We invest only in equipment and technology with proven vision results, and we back it up by sharing our outcomes with you.