Advertising
LASIK From $250? How to Read a LASIK Advertisement
As of September 2026, 73 of 839 LASIK practices in The LASIK Index advertise only a discount or entry price, not a full LASIK cost. The FTC fined LasikPlus $1.25 million in 2023 for advertising LASIK as low as $250 per eye, finding that most patients paid much more. This guide explains how entry-price ads work and what questions reveal the real price.
By The LASIK Index editorial team · Published · Updated · Editorial policy
Key takeaways
- The FTC fined LasikPlus $1.25 million in 2023 for deceptive $250 LASIK ads.
- Only 6.5% of patients qualified for the lowest advertised price at LasikPlus, according to the FTC.
- 73 of 839 practices in The LASIK Index advertise only a discount or entry price.
- 172 practices in The LASIK Index publish a LASIK price, with a median start of $2,495 per eye.
- 594 practices in The LASIK Index publish no price information at all.
What did the FTC find in the LasikPlus advertising case?
The FTC found that LasikPlus and Joffe MediCenter advertised LASIK for as little as $250 or $295 per eye, but only 6.5 percent of patients qualified for that price. In January 2023, the FTC ordered LCA-Vision, which operates LasikPlus, to pay $1.25 million for what it called 'bait-and-switch' advertising.
Most patients who responded to the ads were quoted between $1,800 and $2,295 per eye, according to the FTC. Some ads did not make clear that the price was per eye. The FTC does not regulate medical pricing but does enforce rules against deceptive marketing.
How does entry-price LASIK advertising work?
Entry-price advertising promotes a very low starting price for LASIK, often with prominent numbers like $250 per eye. The FTC found that at LasikPlus, only a small fraction of patients actually received the lowest price. Most paid much more after their consultation.
According to the FTC, these ads often did not explain the eligibility criteria for the low price, which were strict. Entry-price ads can attract attention but may not reflect the cost most patients will pay.
How many LASIK practices advertise only a discount or entry price?
73 of 839 practices in The LASIK Index advertise only a discount or entry price, not a full LASIK price. These practices do not publish a complete price list, only promotional offers or low entry figures.
The majority of practices in The LASIK Index either publish a full price (172 practices) or publish no price information at all (594 practices). Entry-price advertising is less common than not publishing a price.
| Item | Share of practices |
|---|---|
| Publish a per-eye price | 20.5% (172) |
| Advertise a discount or entry price only | 8.7% (73) |
| Publish no price | 70.8% (594) |
What does a real LASIK price look like?
A real LASIK price is a published, per-eye figure that applies to most patients who qualify for surgery. In The LASIK Index, the median starting price among 172 practices that publish a price is $2,495 per eye. The lowest published starting price is $1,000 per eye and the highest is $5,900 per eye.
Entry offers under $1,000 per eye are counted as advertising, not as prices. Patients should know that the price quoted in an ad may not be the price they are offered after a consultation.
| Practice | City | Price per eye |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK of New York | Brooklyn, NY | $1,000 |
| CNY Eye Care | Syracuse, NY | $1,375 to $2,700 |
| Laserview Of CNY | Syracuse, NY | $1,400 to $2,500 |
| The Eye Care Institute | Louisville, KY | $1,495 |
| Q Vision Cataract and LASIK Center | Scottsdale, AZ | $1,495 to $1,995 |
| Fort Worth Lasik Vision Center | Fort Worth, TX | $1,500 to $1,750 |
| The Eye Associates | Meridian, ID | $1,500 |
| Ophthalmology Associates | Fort Worth, TX | $1,500 to $1,750 |
| Eye Associates of South Texas North Central | San Antonio, TX | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser | Honolulu, HI | $1,500 to $1,850 |
| Center For Excellence In Eye Care | Miami, FL | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Montgomery Eye Physicians | Montgomery, AL | $1,525 to $2,750 |
What four questions turn a LASIK ad into a real price?
A LASIK advertisement becomes a real price when it answers four key questions. Each question helps reveal whether the price is typical and what it actually covers.
Patients can use these questions to compare practices and avoid surprises after their consultation.
- Is the price per eye or for both eyes?
- What does the price include (consultation, surgery, follow-up, enhancements)?
- Who qualifies for the advertised price?
- Are there extra charges for astigmatism, higher prescriptions, or technology upgrades?
The short version
Entry-price LASIK advertising can be misleading if it does not explain who qualifies or what the price covers. The FTC found that only a small share of patients received the lowest advertised price at LasikPlus. Patients should ask direct questions about eligibility and included services to understand the real cost.
Questions people ask
Does the FDA regulate LASIK advertising or pricing?
According to the FDA, it does not regulate LASIK marketing or fees. The FDA regulates medical devices, not the practice of medicine. Complaints about advertising can go to the FTC or the state medical board.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds to pay for LASIK?
The IRS says medical expenses can include amounts paid for eye surgery to treat defective vision, such as LASIK. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used for qualified medical expenses, including LASIK.
Why do some LASIK practices not publish any prices?
594 practices in The LASIK Index publish no price information. Some practices may prefer to provide pricing only after a consultation or may use individualized quotes based on each patient's needs.
What is included in a typical published LASIK price?
A published LASIK price may include the consultation, surgery, and standard follow-up visits, but details vary. Some practices charge extra for enhancements, advanced technology, or treating astigmatism. Always ask what is included.
Sources
- The LASIK Index directory data, 839 practices. Methodology
- FDA: LASIK FAQs
- FTC: Order requires LasikPlus to pay for bait-and-switch eye surgery ads (January 2023)
- IRS Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses
- IRS Publication 969: Health Savings Accounts
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Decisions about eye surgery belong with you and an ophthalmologist who has examined your eyes.