The Real Cost of Cheap LASIK in NYC
Searching for affordable LASIK in NYC? You’re definitely not alone.
New Yorkers love a good deal. When a bagel with schmear can cost 10 bucks, it makes sense to window shop before committing to something as big as laser eye surgery.
But here’s the thing: vision correction isn’t like shopping for clothes or jewelry. At all. The cheapest option isn’t always just “as good for less.”
Sometimes, it’s cheap for a reason… and it can cost you in the long run.
Why Are Some LASIK Prices in NYC So Affordable?
If you’ve seen LASIK advertised for "$999 per eye” (or even as low as $299), that’s not a typo. But it is a bait-and-switch tactic.
LASIK Mills draw you in with incredulous sticker prices, but then tack on hidden fees for services like pre-op scans, advanced technology, other enhancements, and post-op care – things that should come standard in a safe procedure.
Worse, the cheapest LASIK centers often:
Rush consultations to get more people on the surgery schedule
Use outdated equipment or older surgical methods
Don’t tell you if you’re not an ideal candidate
Outsource care to surgeons you’ll never meet again
That’s not just bad service; it’s a recipe for regret. As I wrote for “No-Regret” Laser Vision Correction for Men’s Health, the most important decision isn’t where LASIK is cheapest – it’s where it’s safest.
The LASIK-Industrial Complex
The rise of national LASIK chains has turned eye surgery into an assembly line, especially here in New York City where demand is so high. As I broke down in The LASIK-Industrial Complex, many of these clinics:
Cut costs by cutting corners
Incentivize volume over patient outcomes
Prioritize profit over transparency
This leads to an alarming number of people who were never good LASIK candidates to begin with. And that’s how we end up with post-op regret, complications, and long-term discomfort that could have been avoided with a better diagnosis or a better alternative.
What’s the Safer, Smarter Alternative?
If you're exploring vision correction, Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) might be a better fit – especially if:
You were told you’re not a LASIK candidate
You have dry eyes, thin corneas, or irregular topography
You want a flap-free, cut-free procedure that prioritizes long-term eye health
At Moskowitz Eye Care, ASA is the only laser surgery we offer. That’s not because we can’t do LASIK or SMILE – it’s because we’ve reviewed the data, followed the patient outcomes, and chosen the path that prioritizes safety.
I explain why in The Safest Alternative to LASIK in 2025, where ASA is compared head-to-head with LASIK, PRK, and SMILE, ICL, and more.
Isn’t ASA Expensive?
Let’s be honest: yes. Proper laser vision correction is a significant up-front investment (around $5,000 to $6,000). And it should be – you only get one set of eyes.
But over time, it will prove to be the more affordable choice.
As we show in this cost breakdown, the average New Yorker spends:
$500 to $700 per year on glasses, contacts, solutions, and exams
$15,000+ over a lifetime
Compare that to one-time ASA surgery – and you’re not just saving money. You’re buying years of clearer vision, fewer prescriptions, and freedom from lens-related discomfort.
And while insurance doesn’t cover laser vision correction, we accept CareCredit financing to help spread out the cost.
Final Word: Affordable Shouldn’t Mean Risky
If you’re looking for cheap LASIK in NYC, just make sure you understand what “cheap” might cost you.
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, and that’s okay. What matters is finding the right procedure, with the right doctor, using the right technology – not the lowest price tag.
Because in the end, safe vision correction is always the best value.