# LASIK Surgery Cost Calculator

> Estimate LASIK and PRK eye surgery costs by procedure type, technology, and city or region.

**Category:** Health
**Keywords:** LASIK, PRK, eye surgery, laser eye, vision correction, cost, estimate, wavefront
**URL:** https://complete.tools/lasik-surgery-cost-calculator

## LASIK vs PRK vs SMILE: Which is right for you?

Choosing the right procedure depends on your prescription, corneal thickness, lifestyle, and budget.

**LASIK** is the most popular option and offers rapid recovery — most patients see clearly within a day or two. It is suitable for moderate prescriptions and normal corneal thickness.

**Custom/Wavefront LASIK** produces sharper vision than standard LASIK for many patients, especially those with higher-order aberrations. It costs more but can reduce night vision side effects like starbursts and halos.

**Bladeless LASIK** uses laser technology for both the flap creation and vision correction steps. It eliminates blade-related risks and is often preferred for patients with corneas that are borderline for standard LASIK.

**PRK** is recommended when the cornea is too thin for LASIK's flap, or for patients in high-contact sports where a dislodged flap would be a risk. Recovery takes longer (one to two weeks for clear vision), but long-term outcomes are comparable to LASIK.

**SMILE** is the newest technique with no corneal flap. It may cause fewer dry-eye symptoms post-operatively, but it is not yet available for farsightedness correction. It tends to be priced comparably to premium LASIK.

**LASEK** is a hybrid of LASIK and PRK, repositioning the outer epithelial layer instead of removing it entirely. It is less commonly performed but serves specific candidacy needs.

Your surgeon will evaluate your corneal topography, pupil size, prescription, and eye health to determine which procedure is medically appropriate for you.

## What affects LASIK cost?

LASIK pricing varies significantly based on several interconnected factors.

**Procedure type and technology** have the largest influence on price. Standard LASIK with a microkeratome blade is the most affordable option. Custom wavefront-guided or bladeless (all-laser) procedures cost more because they use additional or more sophisticated laser systems. Premium topography-guided treatments represent the highest tier.

**Geographic location** plays a major role. Practices in major metropolitan areas on the West Coast and Northeast typically charge more than clinics in the Midwest or Southeast, reflecting higher overhead, real estate, and staff costs.

**Prescription strength** matters because higher prescriptions require more laser time, more tissue removal, and can be at or near the limits of what LASIK can safely correct. Very high prescriptions may not be correctable with LASIK at all.

**Surgeon experience and reputation** directly affect pricing. A fellowship-trained corneal specialist with thousands of procedures under their belt will generally charge more than a recently licensed surgeon.

**Clinic pricing models** vary widely. Some clinics advertise a low per-eye price but charge separately for pre-op exams, enhancements, and follow-up care. Others bundle everything into an all-inclusive lifetime guarantee package.

**Enhancement rates** — the likelihood you will need a touch-up procedure years later — are higher for more severe prescriptions. Many practices include lifetime enhancement coverage in their pricing; others charge separately.

## How to use this calculator

1. Select your procedure type from the dropdown — if unsure, choose LASIK (Standard) as a starting point.
2. Choose the technology level your surgeon has recommended or that you are considering.
3. Indicate whether you are treating one eye or both.
4. Select your prescription complexity based on your current glasses or contact lens prescription (the number on your prescription, ignoring the sign).
5. Choose the US region where you plan to have surgery.
6. Click "Get Cost Estimate" and the AI will generate a realistic cost breakdown including pre-op, procedure, and post-op costs.

## FAQs

**Q:** Does insurance cover LASIK surgery?


**A:** Most health insurance plans classify LASIK as an elective procedure and do not cover it. However, many FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) plans allow LASIK expenses, letting you pay with pre-tax dollars. Some employers offer vision benefits or discount programs with affiliated LASIK providers.


**Q:** What is a lifetime enhancement guarantee?


**A:** Many LASIK providers offer a lifetime enhancement guarantee, which means they will perform touch-up procedures at no additional charge if your vision regresses over time. These packages typically cost more upfront but can represent good value, particularly for patients with higher prescriptions who have a greater chance of regression.


**Q:** How accurate are these cost estimates?


**A:** The estimates are based on current market data and are intended to give you a realistic ballpark figure before you begin consulting with surgeons. Actual costs will vary based on your specific anatomy, your surgeon's pricing structure, and current promotional offers. Always get a formal quote after a comprehensive eye evaluation.


**Q:** Why does the per-eye price sometimes not equal half the total?


**A:** Some costs are fixed regardless of whether you treat one or two eyes, such as the pre-operative consultation and post-operative follow-up visits. Treating both eyes at the same time is almost always more cost-efficient than two separate procedures.


**Q:** What is the recovery time after LASIK?


**A:** Most LASIK patients notice significantly improved vision within 24 hours and can return to work the next day. PRK and LASEK require longer recovery — typically one to two weeks before vision stabilizes. Full visual stability for all procedures generally occurs within three to six months.


**Q:** Are there hidden costs in LASIK pricing?


**A:** Some clinics advertise a very low per-eye price that excludes pre-operative exams, enhancement procedures, and prescription eye drops needed during recovery. Always ask for an all-inclusive quote that covers consultation, surgery, a specified post-op care period, and at least one enhancement if needed.


**Q:** What makes someone a poor candidate for LASIK?


**A:** Common disqualifying factors include corneas that are too thin, very large pupils in low light, keratoconus or other corneal diseases, uncontrolled autoimmune conditions, unstable vision prescription in the past year, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. A comprehensive pre-operative exam is required to determine candidacy.

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