How to Afford LASIK Surgery

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LASIK surgery is a safe, highly effective procedure that can greatly improve your visual acuity, often replacing your glasses or contact lenses in the process. This procedure is a few thousand dollars, however, and typically isn't covered by insurance.

How can you afford this surgical procedure if you don't have the money to spare?

How LASIK Surgery Can Benefit You

First, let’s talk about the benefits of LASIK surgery. LASIK surgery uses a precision laser tool to cut and reform misshapen areas of the cornea, which is a part of your eye responsible for helping you see clearly. If your cornea isn't responsible for your vision issues, you may not qualify for this surgery. The same is true if you have existing eye health conditions or if you're an older adult.

However, if you do qualify for this surgery, it can instantly and permanently improve your vision. People who receive LASIK surgery can almost immediately see with almost perfect vision – and the procedure lasts for the rest of your life, with only some people requiring future touch-up procedures.

The procedure itself usually costs a few thousand dollars, but it's worth the cost if it means living a life with better vision and fewer eyeglass and contact lens expenses. The question is, how do you generate the money necessary to pay for the procedure in the first place?

Saving Up

One option is to save up money so you can pay for the surgery out of pocket.

· Consider cutting unnecessary expenses. You can start by cutting out any unnecessary expenses currently in your budget. For example, can you cook instead of going out to eat? Are there any entertainment subscriptions you can reasonably cancel? Even if you can only save $100 a month, you'll be able to save up for the procedure in just a few years. If you can save up more, you might be able to pay for the procedure after just a few months.

· Take on an extra side gig. You can accumulate more savings if you make some extra money. Accordingly, consider taking on an extra side gig. Modern side gigs tend to be very flexible, allowing you to fit them into even a rigid, busy schedule. Again, even a small amount of savings each month can eventually lead you to the procedure you want.

· Take advantage of tax refunds. Do you receive a tax refund at the end of the tax year? If so, consider applying it to the procedure. Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to cover most or all of the procedure.

· Utilize health savings accounts or HYSAs. Health savings accounts allow you to set aside pretax money for health-related expenses, allowing you to save more than you ordinarily would. Take advantage of them if you can. You can also utilize high yield savings accounts (HYSAs), which offer higher interest rates than typical bank accounts, as you’re saving.

Taking Out Loans

You may also be able to take out loans or secure financing for the procedure.

· Credit cards. It's possible to pay for a LASIK procedure with credit cards, but you'll need to exercise caution here. Credit cards are typically associated with high interest rates, which can cause you to accumulate more debt if you don't pay off your balance relatively quickly. Make sure you have a repayment plan in place before using credit cards.

· Personal loans. Alternatively, you may qualify for a personal loan at your local bank. This depends on your credit score and the amount you need to take out, but it can be a viable alternative to using credit cards.

· Third party financing. Some third party financing organizations make it easy to secure low interest financing for healthcare and medical expenses. Care Credit and Wells Fargo Health Advantage are two examples.

· Loans from friends and family members. You may also consider taking out personal loans from friends and family members, who may be able to offer you very small (or zero) interest rates.

Crowdfunding

If you have a lot of friends and family members who might be willing to contribute to your procedure, you can consider crowdfunding. Just keep in mind that only some crowdfunding websites will allow you to raise money for procedures like this, and you'll need to abide by their terms and conditions.

Shopping and Negotiating

Finally, keep in mind that there are usually multiple LASIK providers in a given area. Consider shopping around, or even negotiating directly with providers to see if you can find any discounts.

It sometimes takes significant time and effort to be able to afford LASIK surgery. However, for many people, the upfront investments are more than worth it. Once the procedure is done, you'll be able to see perfectly – and you'll no longer have to worry about glasses or contact lenses.