Understand Your Vision Investment Before You Walk In
We believe cost should never be a mystery. Below you'll find real price ranges, what insurance typically covers, and payment options — so you can plan with confidence.
Procedure Cost Ranges
Every patient is different. These ranges reflect typical all-in costs at Southwest Eye Institute. Your exact price is confirmed during your consultation.
Custom laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Flexible financing available through CareCredit.
- Pre-op exam & measurements
- Surgeon fee & laser facility
- Post-op visits (typically 3–4)
- Enhancement policy included
Standard cataract surgery is typically covered by Medicare/insurance. Premium lens upgrades (PanOptix, Vivity, Toric) involve an out-of-pocket upgrade fee.
- Standard IOL: usually $0 with insurance
- Premium multifocal IOL: upgrade fee applies
- Astigmatism-correcting Toric: upgrade fee applies
- All follow-up visits included
Pricing for glaucoma surgery, pterygium removal, eyelid repair, strabismus correction, and clear lens exchange depends on your diagnosis and insurance.
- Pterygium removal: often insurance-covered
- Glaucoma surgery: often insurance-covered
- Clear Lens Exchange (C-Lex): elective pricing
- Blepharoplasty: cosmetic vs. medical rates
Insurance: What You Need to Know
The biggest source of confusion in eye care is the difference between medical eye insurance and vision insurance. Here's the plain-English breakdown.
Medical Insurance (Aetna, BCBS, Medicare, etc.)
Covers eye conditions that are diagnosed diseases or medical problems — things you need treated, not just vision correction you want.
- Cataract surgery Covered
- Glaucoma treatment Covered
- Diabetic eye exams Covered
- Pterygium removal Covered
- Medical dry eye treatment Often covered
- Eyelid repair (ptosis) If medically necessary
- LASIK / PRK Not covered
- Cosmetic blepharoplasty Not covered
Vision Insurance (VSP, EyeMed, etc.)
Covers routine eye exams and helps pay for glasses or contact lenses. Does not typically cover surgery or medical treatment.
- Annual eye exam Covered
- Eyeglasses frames & lenses Covered (with allowance)
- Contact lens fitting Covered
- LASIK discount Some plans offer discounts
- Cataract surgery Not covered
- Glaucoma treatment Not covered
- Specialty lenses / upgrades Partial allowance
- Medical eye conditions Not covered
Common Questions About Cost
We hear these from patients every day. If yours isn't listed, call us — we're happy to walk you through it.
Yes — Medicare Part B covers standard cataract surgery, including a basic monofocal lens implant. You'll typically pay your Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance. If you choose a premium lens (like PanOptix or Vivity to reduce dependence on glasses after surgery), the upgrade fee is out-of-pocket. Our team files all Medicare claims for you and will explain your exact cost before scheduling.
Most insurers classify LASIK as an elective procedure — meaning it corrects your vision but isn't treating a disease. That said, some vision plans (like VSP) offer negotiated LASIK discounts, and some employers include LASIK benefits. We help you check. With CareCredit financing, most patients pay $50–80/month, and HSA/FSA funds can save you 20–30%.
We work with CareCredit and other healthcare financing programs that offer 0% interest plans for qualified applicants. Many patients pay as little as $50–80/month for LASIK. We also accept HSA and FSA funds — using pre-tax dollars can save you 20–30% on elective procedures. Our billing team walks every patient through the options before any commitment.
Absolutely. LASIK, PRK, cataract surgery, and most medically necessary eye procedures are eligible expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts. This means you're paying with pre-tax dollars, which effectively saves you 20–30% depending on your tax bracket. If you have year-end FSA funds to use, scheduling a consultation before your plan resets is a smart move.
We see many self-pay patients and offer transparent, competitive pricing for every procedure. We also offer financing plans and can sometimes offer modest self-pay discounts. Your consultation is free and there's no obligation — we'll give you a clear, written estimate so you can decide on your timeline.
Still Have Questions About Cost?
Our team is happy to check your insurance benefits, explain your options, and give you a written estimate — all before you commit to anything.
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