Can you put a price tag on your vision? Yes you can, $299 per eye. But Consumer Reporter Liz Crenshaw says consumers may not see that price unless they know "The Real Deal."

LASIK SURGERY Understand the Risks Evaluate Potential Surgeons Before Surgery

Lasik Eye surgery is an elective procedure chosen by millions. But often it's sold as if it were mere merchandise, not medicine. We went undercover to find out "The Real Deal."

YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE HIGHEST TECH IN VISION SURGERY, LASIK. IT'S MIRACLE MEDICINE. BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO KNOW THE REAL DEAL TO GET THE ADVERTISED PRICE.

THE LASIK VISION INSTITUTE CATCHES MANY CONSUMERS' EYES WITH ITS BIG, BOLD $299 PRICE TAG. IN THE TINY PRINT THE AD SAYS THE PRICE IS PER EYE AND MAY INCREASE BASED ON RX AND ASTIGMATISM. BUT WHAT'S THE REAL DEAL?

DURING A 2-WEEK PERIOD, WE SENT FOUR NBC-4 EMPLOYEES TO THE LASIK VISION INSTITUTE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION. PRODUCER ERIN VAN DER BELLEN CARRIED A HIDDEN CAMERA DURING HER APPOINTMENT.

Lasik Vision Institute Employee
Your prescription is pretty mild.

Crenshaw
BUT EVEN THOUGH VAN DER BELLEN'S PRESCRIPTION IS MILD, HER QUOTED PRICE IS NOWHERE NEAR THE ADVERTISED $299.

Lasik Vision Institute Employee
In your case, you're looking at $799 an eye, that'll be $1598 total.

Crenshaw
ONLY AFTER VAN DER BELLEN PUSHES THE $299 PRICE IS SHE GIVEN THAT OPTION.

Lasik Vision Institute Employee
You do qualify for the $299. It covers exam, surgery, and the 3 follow-ups.

Crenshaw
TWO OTHER NBC4 EMPLOYEES WERE GIVEN $699 PER EYE PRICES THAT DROPPED TO $299 AFTER SOME DISCUSSION. BUT FOR THAT PRICE THEY ONLY GET LIMITED SERVICES.

THE REAL DEAL BECAME MORE COMPLICATED FOR THE FINAL PRODUCER. FIRST HE WAS OFFERED BASIC SURGERY FOR $1299 PER EYE, $1499 IF HE WANTED A SURGICAL ENHANCEMENT OPTION, OR $1699 FOR LIFETIME ENHANCEMENTS.

WHEN HE BALKED, HE WAS OFFERED THE $1499 PLAN FOR $1299. WHEN HE BALKED AGAIN, HE WAS OFFERED AN $899 PRICE, WHICH WAS REDUCED TO $699 IF HE WOULD LAY DOWN A $300 DEPOSIT.

THE LASIK VISION INSTITUTE SAYS IT TRIES TO OFFER THE BEST SERVICE FOR EACH CUSTOMER'S EYES. IT SAYS IF THE CUSTOMER CANNOT AFFORD THE SUGGESTED SERVICE, THEN LASIK VISION MAY OFFER A REDUCED SERVICE WITH FEWER ENHANCEMENTS THAT COSTS LESS, SUCH AS ITS $299 PER EYE OFFER.

SO WHAT'S THE REAL DEAL WITH THIS $299 LASIK AD? YOU CAN'T GET IT IF YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT PRESCRIPTION. YOU MAY HAVE TO PRESS THE SALES REP TO ACTUALLY GET THAT PRICE, AND FOR $299 PER EYE, YOU ONLY GET WHAT LASIK VISION INSTITUTE SAYS IS LIMITED SERVICES. AND THAT'S THE REAL DEAL.