LASIK Score Methodology

1) Data sources

We compile center listings from public business profiles, clinic websites, and published materials. When details are unclear or missing, we flag the gaps and continue monitoring updates.

• Clinic websites and published materials
• Public business listings and directories
• Licensing registries and accreditation claims
• Direct confirmations when available

2) Reviews and ratings

Ratings and review counts shown on center pages are sourced from Google reviews. We do not label third-party reviews as verified and we do not apply AggregateRating or Review schema for third-party sources.

Review summaries use automated text analysis to surface common themes. These summaries can miss nuance or context, so we encourage readers to review the original comments directly on Google.

3) Price Transparency Score (0-5)

The Price Transparency Score measures the completeness of a center's public disclosures. It is not a rating of clinical quality, safety, surgical outcomes, or whether a center is right for a particular patient. A missing point means we did not find qualifying public evidence for that field; it does not imply poor care. One point is awarded for each of the following fields only when current, field-specific public evidence satisfies the stated requirement:

• A current public numeric LASIK price or range with a clear per-eye or both-eyes basis
• Explicit details about the follow-up visits or aftercare included in the price
• An enhancement policy with meaningful eligibility, time-period, or cost terms
• Actual financing terms, such as APR, promotional period, or repayment term
• A named surgeon and a stated professional credential, such as board certification

Each field can be marked Supported when current field-specific public evidence satisfies the rule, Not found when reviewed sources do not provide the required detail, or Not reviewed when we have not yet completed a field-level review. A surgeon name by itself, a financing partner without terms, expired pricing, or general wording that does not identify included aftercare does not earn a point.

For scoring, we treat evidence as current for 365 days after its checked date unless the source gives an earlier expiration date. This is our maintenance window for rechecking public claims, not medical guidance.

Field-level verification currently covers bounded clinic samples in selected metros. Listings outside the evidence overlay are labeled as unreviewed rather than treated as verified. Directory refresh and page-update timestamps describe when site data was generated; they are not evidence verification dates.

A reviewed listing is not an endorsement or an independent check of clinical quality, licensure, or outcomes. Credential statements sourced from a clinic biography describe what that clinic publishes; only a linked licensing or board registry represents an independent credential source.

4) Local Market Snapshot

Market snapshots aggregate pricing, financing, and technology signals across centers in a state or city. We require a minimum sample size and show fallback messaging when data is sparse.

Snapshot metrics may include price disclosure rate, median vs average pricing, financing availability, and technology adoption (for example SMILE or wavefront-guided LASIK).

5) Price estimates and manual quote comparison

When a center publishes a per-eye price, LASIK Score may multiply it by two to show a computed two-eye estimate. We label that result as an estimate because it is not a clinic quote or a separately advertised both-eyes package. Actual prices can vary after an exam and may include required charges that are not public.

The manual quote calculator compares only the amounts and terms a user enters. It can total base prices and known required extras, keep optional extras separate, and estimate financing payments when the financed amount, APR, and term are complete. It cannot confirm that a quote is complete, account for unknown charges, recommend a clinic, or determine clinical suitability. Entries stay in the current browser session and are not uploaded to LASIK Score.

6) Data accuracy and updates

Pricing, promotions, and policies can change quickly. We refresh listings on a rolling basis and note when data is incomplete or outdated. Always confirm details directly with the clinic before booking.

7) Corrections

If you spot a discrepancy, contact our team and include a source link or documentation. We review corrections and update listings in the next publication cycle.