Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow LASIK WorksRisks and Side EffectsCostsRecoveryIs It Right for You?AlternativesWhere to Get LASIKNext in LASIK Eye Surgery GuideWho Should Not Have Laser Eye Surgery?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How LASIK Works
Risks and Side Effects
Costs
Recovery
Is It Right for You?
Alternatives
Where to Get LASIK
Next in LASIK Eye Surgery Guide
If you wear corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may be considering undergoing refractive laser surgery with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). It’s appealing to be able to open your eyes in the morning and see clearly without lenses.
But before you make the leap, you want to consider the cost and possible side effects so you can ensure this is the right move to enhance your vision. You may also want to know about any alternatives to LASIK that may be preferable for you.
In this article, you will learn about how LASIK works, any risks or side effects, the procedure’s costs, whether you’re a candidate, where to undergo the surgery, and more.
How Does LASIK Eye Surgery Work?
LASIK corrects refractive errors, such asnearsightedness(seeing things better up close) orfarsightedness(seeing things better in the distance), andastigmatism(an out-of-the-ordinary shaped cornea or lens). With these errors, light doesn’t fall correctly on the light-sensitiveretinaat the back of the eye.
With the LASIK procedure, the eye is reshaped so that light rays are focused precisely on the retina, creating a sharp image.
In the procedure, anophthalmologist(an eye specialist) cuts a flap in the clear tissue at the front of the eye, known as thecornea, using either a mechanical device or a laser. A hinge of tissue remains, and the flap is folded back out of the way using this hinge.
Underneath is the middle part of the cornea, known as the stroma. The ophthalmologist then applies laser pulses to the stroma to reshape this so that the light hits the retina where it should so that vision is sharp.The flap is then returned to its place.
Risks and Side Effects of LASIK Eye Surgery
Though thoughts of sharp vision without relying on spectacles or contacts are enticing, this is not for everybody, or at least it may not be for you at the moment. Factors that can put you at anincreased risk of unintended effects after getting LASIKinclude:
Also, before undergoing LASIK, it’s important to have a clear picture of the side effects that can occur in some cases. Here are some of the potential issues you may encounter, albeit sometimes temporarily, after undergoing LASIK:
Financials: Costs of LASIK Eye Surgery
Deciding if LASIK is right for you also means factoring in cost. Keep in mind this may vary depending upon your vision and how much correction you need, whether you undergo customized LASIK or regular LASIK, and the type of practice where you wish to undergo the procedure.
In 2023, the cost can range anywhere from around $1,500 to $3,000 per eye.The Refractive Surgery Council notes an average cost of $4,400 (for both eyes) in the United States as of 2022.
For the most part, LASIK is considered an elective procedure, which means that private insurance is unlikely to cover the cost. But some insurance companies may offer you a discount of around 15% to 50% if you select a provider in their network.
If you have aflexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you can use those funds for LASIK.
Medicare and Medicaid don’t usually cover LASIK because it is elective. But if there is a medical reason that you need to undergo the procedure, you may be covered.Or, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it may cover some of the costs.
Here’s when Medicare or Medicaid might cover LASIK:
LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery Process
In considering whether LASIK eye surgery is the right move, you may be thinking about the recovery process and how that may fit into your demanding schedule. The good news about LASIK is there is little downtime. After this outpatient procedure, you should plan on taking the day off and just going home and resting or maybe taking a nap.
Your eye is on the mend immediately after LASIK, with any pain resolving within the first 12 hours or so.You should also be able to see much more clearly right away without glasses or contacts than you could before the procedure. Still, your sight may be a little hazy.
By the day after the procedure, most people can drive and are able to return to work or school.You should be able to use a computer or tablet almost immediately, although your vision may still be a little blurry.
Though your vision should be fairly sharp from the get-go, it may take between one to three months for it to fully stabilize after LASIK. If your vision reaches the 20/20 mark, you may eventually be able to do without correction, such as glasses or contact lenses.
Am I a Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?
Deciding that LASIK sounds good to you is only part of the equation. You must then determine whether you are a good candidate for this because LASIK is not for everyone. Here are some criteria you must meet:
Is LASIK Permanent?
If you undergo LASIK and find you can do away with glasses, will that be permanent? The fact is that this depends.
Though the way LASIK has reshaped your cornea won’t regress any, your eye itself can change with time, and your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism may progress, just like it likely did early in life when you first began to notice you needed glasses. Fortunately, this happens less after your eyes have stabilized in adulthood.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll be back to wearing glasses anytime soon after getting LASIK. Study results show that five years after undergoing LASIK, 94% of people were still free of glasses.
But keep in mind that some people may need what’s known as a LASIK enhancement. This is usually because the result from the original LASIK procedure was not as sharp as one hoped for and only happens in about 1–2% of cases during the first 12 months after LASIK. Only about 1% of people need an enhancement due to changes in their sight that happen over time.
Alternatives to LASIK Eye Surgery
If for some reason you can’t undergo LASIK, you may consider other procedures. Here are some alternatives that can also potentially correct your vision:
Where to Have LASIK Eye Surgery
You may wonder if it matters where you get a LASIK procedure done. With your future vision at stake, looking at more than pricing is a good idea.
The eye surgeon’s experience level can make a difference. The Refractive Surgery Council notes that LASIK surgeons may have performed 10,000 or more surgeries.Ask the surgeon about their experience and ensure they are a licensed ophthalmologist.
LASIK surgery may be highly advertised with competitive pricing. The American Academy of Ophthalmology cautions against advertising claims that promise perfect results for every case.
With a consultation, you should not feel you are under sales pressure to make a decision immediately. You should have all of the risks of the surgery and possible outcomes fully explained.
Ethical surgeons will turn away people who are at higher risk or are unlikely to get the full benefits of the procedure.This may be disappointing, but it is important to understand this when considering this permanent surgery.
Summary
The promise of LASIK, which can reshape the cornea with the aid of a laser and possibly enable some to do away with spectacles, has major appeal. This outpatient procedure can allow for fast vision correction that can enable you to promptly return to work.
But there can be a downside for some, leading to discomfort and vision issues. Also, not everybody is a candidate for LASIK. However, there are other refractive procedures that you may want to consider instead.
16 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.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.LASIK.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about LASIK.NVision.How much LASIK eye surgery costs.Refractive Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?Refractive Surgery Council.Does insurance cover LASIK?Medicare.org.Does Medicaid pay for LASIK eye surgery?American Academy of Ophthalmology.LASIK — laser eye surgery.UCLA Health.Laser vision correction FAQs.Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last? Is LASIK temporary or permanent?Schallhorn SC, Venter JA, Teenan D, et al.Patient-reported outcomes 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis.Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2016;42(6):879-889. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.03.032American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative refractive surgery procedures.Kuryan J, Cheema A, Chuck RS.Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) versus laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correcting myopia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD011080. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011080.pub2American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is orthokeratology?Refractive Surgery Council.How to find a good LASIK eye surgeon.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Is LASIK for me? A patient’s guide to refractive surgery.
16 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.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.LASIK.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about LASIK.NVision.How much LASIK eye surgery costs.Refractive Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?Refractive Surgery Council.Does insurance cover LASIK?Medicare.org.Does Medicaid pay for LASIK eye surgery?American Academy of Ophthalmology.LASIK — laser eye surgery.UCLA Health.Laser vision correction FAQs.Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last? Is LASIK temporary or permanent?Schallhorn SC, Venter JA, Teenan D, et al.Patient-reported outcomes 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis.Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2016;42(6):879-889. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.03.032American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative refractive surgery procedures.Kuryan J, Cheema A, Chuck RS.Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) versus laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correcting myopia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD011080. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011080.pub2American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is orthokeratology?Refractive Surgery Council.How to find a good LASIK eye surgeon.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Is LASIK for me? A patient’s guide to refractive surgery.
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.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.LASIK.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about LASIK.NVision.How much LASIK eye surgery costs.Refractive Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?Refractive Surgery Council.Does insurance cover LASIK?Medicare.org.Does Medicaid pay for LASIK eye surgery?American Academy of Ophthalmology.LASIK — laser eye surgery.UCLA Health.Laser vision correction FAQs.Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last? Is LASIK temporary or permanent?Schallhorn SC, Venter JA, Teenan D, et al.Patient-reported outcomes 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis.Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2016;42(6):879-889. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.03.032American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative refractive surgery procedures.Kuryan J, Cheema A, Chuck RS.Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) versus laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correcting myopia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD011080. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011080.pub2American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is orthokeratology?Refractive Surgery Council.How to find a good LASIK eye surgeon.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Is LASIK for me? A patient’s guide to refractive surgery.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.LASIK.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.When is LASIK not for me?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Facts about LASIK.
NVision.How much LASIK eye surgery costs.
Refractive Surgery Council.How much does LASIK cost?
Refractive Surgery Council.Does insurance cover LASIK?
Medicare.org.Does Medicaid pay for LASIK eye surgery?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.LASIK — laser eye surgery.
UCLA Health.Laser vision correction FAQs.
Refractive Surgery Council.How long does LASIK last? Is LASIK temporary or permanent?
Schallhorn SC, Venter JA, Teenan D, et al.Patient-reported outcomes 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis.Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2016;42(6):879-889. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.03.032
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Alternative refractive surgery procedures.
Kuryan J, Cheema A, Chuck RS.Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) versus laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correcting myopia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2:CD011080. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011080.pub2
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is orthokeratology?
Refractive Surgery Council.How to find a good LASIK eye surgeon.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Is LASIK for me? A patient’s guide to refractive surgery.
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