LASIK is now the most common surgery performed in the US; but while technology expenses continue to decrease, American LASIK surgery costs have actually increased to more than $4,000 over the past five years.
LASIK (or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) has helped millions of people around the world reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Although no surgery is completely risk-free, LASIK surgery has a very low rate of complications and adverse effects, compared to other procedures. In some cases (less than 1 out of every 10 surgeries performed), the patient requires a second “touch up” laser application around 3 or 4 months later.
Unfortunately, most medical insurance doesn’t cover LASIK surgery, and the out-of-pocket cost is prohibitive to many good candidates for the procedure. But thanks to new medical travel options, there is another alternative to living with your prescription glasses.
Packages in Mexico can be found for less than half of normal U.S. costs. One example is Ophthalmologist Dr. Roberto Dalli. Dr. Dalli’s package price is about $2,100 for both eyes. He operates out of the beautiful Puerta de Hierro Medical Center in Guadalajara, Mexico. Dr. Dalli has studied and practiced in the U.S. as well as Mexico, and is perfectly bi-lingual, allowing for easy communication with his American patients.
Recently, three employees of a San Diego based company, Alex, Annabel and Herb, took advantage of the LASIK special – which generally calls for the patient to stay one to two nights. “It was a quick trip, and cost me less for the entire trip than the treatment would have cost for both eyes at home,” says Alex.