Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen You May Need ItTypesHow Long It LastsWho Should Avoid It?Cost
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When You May Need It
Types
How Long It Lasts
Who Should Avoid It?
Cost
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most popular form of laser eye surgery, but not everyone is a candidate.
Drazen Zigic / Getty Images
When Do You Need Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is for people who want to improve their vision. Insurance companies consider it an elective procedure, so they do not typically cover the cost.You may use corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses instead of laser eye surgery.
Reasons you may want to have laser eye surgery include:
Types of Laser Eye Surgery
Though LASIK is the most well-known type of laser eye surgery, other options exist, as described below.
LASIK
LASIKreshapes the cornea to improve vision, reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye.
Good candidates for LASIK are at least 18 years old, have a stable vision prescription, and have a refractive error that can be treated with LASIK. They also have healthy eyes and a realistic idea of how LASIK may help their vision.
As with any type of surgery, LASIK has risks and side effects, such as:
Some of these risks, such as dry eye and changing vision after surgery, are more common and should go away after about one month.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
SMILE is a type of refractive surgery (surgery to correct refractive errors) that can correctmyopia(nearsightedness) orastigmatism, which is an irregularly shaped cornea. It can reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses.
SMILE involves using a laser to reshape your cornea and change how light rays focus on the retina, a light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.
Good candidates for SMILE have stable vision prescriptions, are at least 22 years old, and are in good eye health. They also should have a nearsightedness prescription between minus 1 and minus 10 and up to 3 diopters of astigmatism.
However, there are associated risks, including:
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK is a type of eye surgery that uses a laser to reshape your cornea to improve your vision. It can be used for myopia,hyperopia(farsightedness), and astigmatism. People with dry eyes or thin corneas may not be LASIK candidates but could benefit from PRK.
As with other types of laser eye surgery, you should have a stable eye prescription and generally good eye health and corneal health before you have PRK.
PRK-associated risks include:
LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis)
Like other types of eye surgery, ophthalmologists use LASEK to treat a refractive error. During LASEK, the eye surgeon moves the cells covering the cornea to the side instead of removing this tissue. Next, they use a laser to reshape the cornea and reposition the layer of cells covering the cornea onto the eye’s surface.
The eye surgeon will place a bandage contact lens to keep those layers of cells in place for the healing process.
LASEK is a potential choice if you have a particularly high prescription or thin corneas. However, recovery may be more uncomfortable.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Last?
Another vision change that occurs in many people with age is clouding and stiffening of the lens, which is called acataract. When a cataract is severe enough, an eye doctor may recommend removing it with cataract surgery.
Who Should Not Have Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery isn’t for everyone. Here are reasons you should avoid laser eye surgery likeLASIK:
When you see anophthalmologist(medical doctor of the eyes who can perform surgery) for a laser eye surgery evaluation, they will consider these factors when determining whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Cost?
Cost is a significant factor in determining if the surgery is right for you. The average cost of LASIK is $2,200 per eye or $4,400 for both, and the costs for other types of laser eye surgery may be similar.
Although laser eye surgery may seem costly, the price may seem less intimidating than the amount you would spend over the years on glasses or contact lenses.
Summary
Laser eye surgery improves vision and lessens reliance on glasses and contact lenses. The ideal candidate has stable vision and healthy eyes. LASIK is the most common type of refractive eye surgery; other choices include LASEK, PRK, and SMILE. Plan how you will pay for laser eye surgery, as health or vision insurance does not typically cover it. Speak with an eye doctor for more personalized recommendations related to your eye health.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.LASIK eye surgery.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.LASIK — laser eye surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology/Turbert D.What is small incision lenticule extraction?American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.What is photorefractive keratectomy?American Refractive Surgery Council.LASEK vs LASIK: What’s the difference?American Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last?Refractiv Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.LASIK eye surgery.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.LASIK — laser eye surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology/Turbert D.What is small incision lenticule extraction?American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.What is photorefractive keratectomy?American Refractive Surgery Council.LASEK vs LASIK: What’s the difference?American Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last?Refractiv Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.LASIK eye surgery.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.LASIK — laser eye surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology/Turbert D.What is small incision lenticule extraction?American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.What is photorefractive keratectomy?American Refractive Surgery Council.LASEK vs LASIK: What’s the difference?American Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last?Refractiv Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?
MedlinePlus.LASIK eye surgery.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?
American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.LASIK — laser eye surgery.
American Academy of Ophthalmology/Turbert D.What is small incision lenticule extraction?
American Academy of Ophthalmology/Boyd K.What is photorefractive keratectomy?
American Refractive Surgery Council.LASEK vs LASIK: What’s the difference?
American Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last?
Refractiv Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?
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