Is LASIK worth it?
Asked by: Prof. Michel Padberg DVM | Last update: July 25, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (31 votes)
Is LASIK worth it financially?
The national average cost of LASIK surgery is $2,436 per eye. Understandably, prospective patients may find the price of LASIK unsettling, however, most people will save money over time by having the procedure, especially those who wear contacts.
Is there any downside to LASIK?
Although LASIK may cause dry eyes for up to three months (and can be managed with artificial tears), the odds of it becoming a permanent issue are rare. Another uncommon side effect: nighttime glare or halos. Still, said Hood, "the risk is much lower than it used to be and the technology is much better.
What is the regret rate for LASIK eye surgery?
Furthermore, 99% of patients achieve 20/40 vision. Only 3% of patients regret getting LASIK.
At what age is LASIK not worth it?
How Old is Too Old for LASIK? Surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah have performed LASIK on patients in their 50's and beyond. While there is no cutoff age for LASIK candidacy, there are several reasons why the average age of LASIK patients tops out around 45: The risk of developing cataracts increases as we age.
Is LASIK Worth It? The Benefits And Risks Explained | True Eye Experts
How long does LASIK last?
While the effects of LASIK surgery are permanent, the benefits can decrease over time. For most patients, the results of this surgery will last a lifetime. About 10-12% of patients nationwide will need enhancement surgery because of anatomical changes to the eye/eyes.
How much is LASIK with insurance?
The average cost of Lasik eye surgery is $2,632 per eye. When paying full price, rates typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 per eye. A discount from your health insurance company can often save you about $715 per eye, and a vision insurance discount averages a savings of $948 per eye.
Do you get 20 20 vision after LASIK surgery?
LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery. In general, most people who have laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older.
Is there a better alternative to LASIK?
Refractive lens exchange
RLE is a good alternative for patients with severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia or astigmatism, or if the surgeon believes laser surgery is not the best option. In both younger and older patients, RLE has a high success rate.
Does LASIK cause problems later in life?
But certain side effects of LASIK eye surgery are common. These include dry eyes and temporary visual problems such as glare. These symptoms usually clear up after a few weeks or months. Few people consider them to be a long-term problem.
Why do doctors not recommend LASIK?
Unresolved Vision Problems
Other eye diseases that affect the cornea or infections must be resolved before you can get LASIK. In some cases, you may find that because of eye diseases or another procedure, you cannot get LASIK. If this occurs, you may be a better candidate for a procedure like PRK.
Is lasik surgery painful?
During LASIK or SMILE, patients do not feel pain. There is a brief moment lasting 30-40 seconds when the LASIK flap or SMILE lenticule is being created where patients feel a sensation of pressure on the eye. Some describe this as feeling similar to wearing a tight pair of swimming goggles.
How long will my vision be blurry after LASIK?
The cornea has undergone a reshaping procedure and needs time to heal and adjust to its new shape. As the cornea heals, it can cause temporary changes in vision, leading to blurred vision. This is usually a temporary condition that will resolve on its own within a few days to a few weeks.
What disqualifies you from LASIK?
- You required a change in your contact lens or glasses prescription in the past year. This is called refractive instability. ...
- You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. ...
- You actively participate in contact sports. ...
- You are not an adult.
How much should I save for LASIK eye surgery?
So, What is the Cost of LASIK Eye Surgery? Depending on the components listed above, the cost of laser eye surgery generally ranges from $1,500 to more than $3,000 per eye.
When is LASIK not recommended?
Patients with autoimmune diseases are not good LASIK candidates. Many autoimmune conditions cause dry eye syndrome. A dry eye may not heal well and has a higher risk of post-LASIK infection. Other conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, or cataracts often affect LASIK results.
Is it better to wear glasses or get LASIK?
LASIK offers a more permanent solution with greater convenience but comes with higher costs and surgical risks. Glasses, while non-invasive and adjustable, require ongoing maintenance and can pose lifestyle limitations.
What makes LASIK more expensive?
There are several variations on this type of surgery as well, so costs reflect the particular type of treatment that you're receiving. Since newer methods are much more precise, have better results, shorter recovery times, and less complications, they tend to come with a heftier price tag.
What is the recovery time for LASIK eye surgery?
You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine 1 to 3 days after surgery. For a few days, you may have blurry vision or watery eyes. Your eyes may be bloodshot for up to 3 weeks. This is because LASIK surgery can cause small blood vessels in your eye to break.
What are the disadvantages of LASIK eye surgery?
- Cost: LASIK surgery can be expensive and is often not covered by insurance.
- Risks and side effects: Although rare, LASIK surgery can have risks and side effects, including dry eyes, glare, halos, and difficulty seeing at night.
- Not everyone is a candidate: Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK surgery.
Who is not suitable for laser eye surgery?
Those who may not be candidates include: Individuals under 18 years of age. People with unstable prescriptions. Those with certain eye diseases like glaucoma or keratoconus.
Can eyesight go bad after LASIK?
While laser eye surgery can significantly improve vision, a small percentage of patients may still experience eyesight deterioration after the procedure. The factors contributing to these vision changes include the natural ageing process, residual refractive errors, and dry eyes.
How to get free LASIK?
Many disreputable operations will advertise free LASIK, and it's essentially a scam. As the saying goes, nothing in life is free. For your vision's safety, it is better to find methods like flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), or other health insurance benefits to reduce the cost.
Does LASIK fix astigmatism?
LASIK is a vision correction procedure that treats refractive errors. These include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and, yes, even astigmatism. If you have a refractive error or combination of refractive errors, you may be a good candidate for LASIK.
Why doesn't insurance cover LASIK?
Most health insurance providers don't cover LASIK because laser vision correction is an elective procedure, not a medical necessity.