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How Much Does LASIK Cost in 2026?

Average: $2,000–$3,500 per eye ($4,000–$7,000 for both). Pays for itself in 6–10 years vs. glasses and contacts. 96% patient satisfaction rate — the highest of any elective surgery.

Updated Mar 2026Health$2,000–$3,500/eye
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Estimated total cost (both eyes)
⚠️  Beware of “$299/eye” ads — these are bait-and-switch. Ask for the all-inclusive price and what percentage of patients actually receive the advertised rate. A good surgeon with fair pricing is worth more than a cheap surgeon.

LASIK Cost by Type

ProcedurePer EyeBoth EyesTechnology
Standard LASIK$1,800–$2,500$3,600–$5,000Microkeratome flap + excimer laser
Custom wavefront$2,200–$3,000$4,400–$6,000Personalized treatment map of your eye
Bladeless all-laser$2,500–$3,500$5,000–$7,000Femtosecond laser flap (no blade)
PRK$1,500–$2,500$3,000–$5,000No flap. Longer recovery, same results
How Costs Compare
22%
28%
31%
19%
Standard LASIK 22%
Custom wavefront 28%
Bladeless all-laser 31%
PRK 19%

Pro Tips for LASIK

Use HSA/FSA for a 22–37% tax savings. LASIK is an eligible HSA and FSA expense. If you are in the 24% federal tax bracket, paying $5,000 from your HSA saves you $1,200 in taxes. Max out your FSA contribution the year you plan to get LASIK. This is the single biggest way to reduce your effective cost.
Do not choose a surgeon based on price. Your eyes are irreplaceable. A surgeon who has performed 10,000+ LASIK procedures with a low enhancement rate (under 3%) is worth paying $500–$1,000 more per eye. Ask for their complication rate, enhancement rate, and how many procedures they do per month.
Get consultations from 2–3 surgeons. Most LASIK consultations are free. Use them to compare: all-inclusive pricing, technology used, surgeon experience, and what happens if you need an enhancement (retreatment). A good practice includes lifetime enhancements in their price.
Ask about lifetime enhancement guarantees. Your vision may change slightly over time. Some practices include free lifetime enhancements (retreatments) in their original price. Others charge $500–$1,500 per enhancement. A practice with a lifetime guarantee may be worth paying more upfront.
0% financing is widely available. Most LASIK practices offer CareCredit or Alphaeon financing at 0% APR for 24 months. On a $5,000 procedure, that is $208/month with no interest — less than many people spend on contacts annually. Do not let upfront cost stop you if the long-term math works out.
Check your vision plan for discounts. VSP, EyeMed, and other vision insurance plans do not cover LASIK but many offer 15–20% discounts through partner surgeons. A 15% discount on $5,000 saves $750. Check your vision plan benefits before booking.

LASIK vs. Glasses & Contacts: The 20-Year Math

The average person spends $300–$500/year on glasses (new pair every 2–3 years plus exam) or $400–$800/year on contacts (dailies, solution, exams, backup glasses). Over 20 years, that is $6,000–$16,000. LASIK at $5,000 pays for itself in 6–12 years depending on your current spending. A 30-year-old getting LASIK can expect 30+ years of vision correction for a one-time cost that equals 7–12 years of glasses and contacts. The younger you are, the stronger the financial case for LASIK.

Who Should Not Get LASIK

LASIK is not for everyone. You are not a candidate if: your prescription has changed in the past 1–2 years (unstable vision), you have thin corneas (PRK may be an alternative), you have severe dry eye syndrome, you are pregnant or nursing, you have autoimmune conditions that affect healing, or your prescription is extremely strong (above -10 diopters). About 15–20% of people who go in for a consultation are told they are not candidates. A good surgeon will tell you no rather than operate on eyes that are not ideal candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does LASIK cost in 2026?▼
$2,000–$3,500 per eye, or $4,000–$7,000 for both eyes. Standard LASIK is the least expensive, bladeless all-laser is the most. The price should be all-inclusive: pre-op exams, the procedure, post-op visits, and eye drops. Beware of quotes that exclude any of these — they add $300–$800 in hidden costs.
Does insurance cover LASIK?▼
No, standard health and vision insurance consider LASIK elective and do not cover it. However, vision plans often offer 15–20% discounts through partner surgeons. HSA and FSA funds can be used, saving 22–37% in taxes. Some employers offer LASIK benefits or group discounts. Military members may qualify for free LASIK through military programs.
How long does LASIK last?▼
LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea and the correction does not wear off. However, your eyes continue to change with age. About 10–15% of patients need an enhancement (touch-up) within 10 years due to natural vision changes. After age 40–45, presbyopia (near vision loss) is normal and most people need reading glasses regardless of whether they had LASIK. The distance vision correction from LASIK is permanent.
Is LASIK painful?▼
The procedure itself is painless — numbing eye drops are used and the laser treatment takes about 30 seconds per eye. Most patients describe pressure but no pain. After the numbing wears off (2–4 hours), there is mild burning, tearing, and light sensitivity for 4–6 hours. Most patients take a nap and feel fine by the next morning. PRK has a longer recovery with more discomfort for 3–5 days.
What are the risks of LASIK?▼
Serious complications are rare (under 1%). Common temporary side effects include dry eyes (50% of patients for 3–6 months), halos and glare at night (20–30%, usually resolves in 3 months), and light sensitivity (1–2 weeks). Rare risks include under or over-correction (fixable with enhancement), flap complications (0.1–0.3%), and chronic dry eye (1–2%). The overall satisfaction rate of 96% reflects that serious problems are uncommon.
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📊 Data Sources
Pricing from American Refractive Surgery Council, AllAboutVision.com surgeon surveys, and ASCRS member data. Updated March 2026. Not medical advice. Methodology.