I am very interested in having lasik surgery. My biggest concern - two different centers. Center One - cost $1900.00 for both eyes.
Center two - only need lasik on left eye - cost with one year follow-ups and comfort plugs (by the way what are comfort plugs? $499.00

How can the same (?) surgery vary so much in cost and how can one center determine I need both eyes and one say I only need one eye?

What would you suggets?

Let's forget the priceline for a minute and look at what is going on with your eyes.

What is your:
sex/age
current prescription
current medications
size of naturally dilated pupil
laser doctor one would use
laser doctor two would use
do you currently wear glasses, contacts, or both
what to you expect to get out of LASIK

This would be a great start to help the participants at this forum advise you more appropriately. Cost is rarely a good indicator of quality. The cheap doc may be great and the expensive doc may be inadequate. Let's see what you need, then you can price shop.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.

I am a 58 year old male. Currently on no meds, wear glasses however they broke and instead of replacing glasses I decided to look into lasik surgery. Both centers would use the Nidek EC 5000. Unfortunatley I do not know my current prescription not do I have the specifics regarding dilated pupils.

Hope this answers a few questions.

Look forward to a reply.

We need to know your Rx. Do you understand what monovision is? It sounds like one of the centers is suggesting doing only one eye so that you can read with the other. I suggest that if you haven't already tried it you do a trial wearing only one contact to see if you can adapt. I don't know what the economics of the cheaper center are but I can't imagine how they can afford to do it and give you the attention you should have. On the other hand I am a strong believer in monovision for certain patients both as a way to give them the best overall solution and also save some cost.
Get more info before you proceed.
Leonard Friedman MD Washington DC.........

If you can go fine without glasses, you must be a very low pescription, most likley below -3 and probably below -2 at that. If you can function fine without glasses, frankly you dont need lasik, especially with presbyopia. I wouldnt even reccomend lasik if you are in the low myopia category(less than -3)If you are -3 or more, you might not like monovision due to the huge difference between the eyes. Get a lasik evaluation(this should be free or cost up to $100) and report the info to us.

The Nidek EC-5000 is a fine laser, but is older technology and has some limitations that may be important. As an example, wavefront-guided ablation is not available with the Nidek and this type of ablation reliably provides superior outcomes. You may want to read http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/wavefront_custom_lasik.htm

Another poster mentioned monovision. This is something you need to consider. Read http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/monovision.htm
for details.

Glenn Hagele
http://www.USAEyes.org

I am not a doctor.