As you may have noticed if you have been snooping around for the best LASIK prices, there are a variety of price ranges for the same procedure. How are companies with higher prices able to compete with these competition-cutting bargain prices? We'll, smart patients will educate themselves about a procedure before they undergo it. And these bargain prices are a direct result of poor equipment, facilities, and/or practitioners. Also these bargain prices may be possible because the provider does not pay to properly maintain their lasers and other equipment.

The moderately to higher priced companies may charge more simply to cover the costs of maintaining the equipment and providing adequate and reliable service with honest results. The higher prices cover what other companies may leave out as 'hidden costs'. These higher priced companies are more likely to be up front about what they are charging for, listing all of what the cost covers in order to confirm with you that you are getting your moneys worth - as LASIK doesn't come cheap!

There is no universal standard to govern pricing, other than that the costs are on a per-eye basis. So when a company advertises that they charge $1,500 for a LASIK procedure, expect to pay a total cost of approximately $3,000 - for obvious reasons.

You may have read that LASIK procedures are coming down in cost, and this is true in reference to the bargain providers flooding the marked with ad campaigns that state they only charge $299 per eye. Though their pricing may be accurate, expect hidden charges. According to recent studies, only about three percent of LASIK surgeries go for under $1,000 - and these prices are usually only available to a select few of qualified/eligible patients.

The truth is, that costs are going up, this is generally a result of the development of new technology and the cost to provide and maintain the new equipment. In 2002 an industry newsletter reported that the average LASIK price ran between $1,550 and $1,600. By the second quarter of 2005, the same publication stated that the average cost was $1,965.

However, you can still find LASIK providers that offer the less recent LASIK options - but the new technology does have its benefits. Custom LASIK, a recent advancement in LASIK technology uses a precise method that offers a unique option for every patient. The benefits include reduced changes of regression and increased chances of above 20/20 vision. Learn more about Custom LASIK.