Unless the screen is physically damaged, it *could* just be the inverter...so you wouldn't need to replace the screen itself.
I've only done two inverters (worked at a PC shop for awhile), but it was easy enough; just a couple of screws, as I recall.
Backlights are harder, I'd guess...that I'd be more nervous about.
Still, though...wouldn't an inverter just outright fail? Mine is reduced to about 40% brightness, except for bursts of brightness that don't seem coincident with any motion of the computer, HD activity, etc.