Directional planning estimates, not exact quotes
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Independent · No clinic affiliation
Last updated April 2026
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Location
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Procedure
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Prescription
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Add-Ons

Where will you have surgery?

Costs vary by up to 20% in major metro areas (CA, NY, WA, MA) vs. the Southeast or Midwest.

Enter your ZIP to apply local pricing

Why location matters

A LASIK procedure in Los Angeles or New York typically costs 15–20% more than the national median. The Southeast and Midwest tend to be 10–15% below average.

Which procedure are you considering?

Not sure? Choose LASIK (most common) or see our procedure comparison guide.

Which procedure fits your prescription?

LASIK and SMILE correct −1.00 to −8.00. PRK is preferred for thin corneas. ICL handles −3.00 to −20.00 and is the only reversible option. See the full comparison chart →

How strong is your prescription?

Higher corrections require more laser energy and tissue removal, which some surgeons price at a premium.

Where to find your prescription strength

Your prescription (SPH/CYL) is on your glasses Rx. The number before the decimal is your diopter strength. Negative numbers mean nearsightedness.

Any add-ons to include?

All optional. Many people skip all three and do fine — but each has a legitimate use case.

See the cost range from a few different angles

Compares national-style planning totals for LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and ICL using your selected state and prescription complexity.

Ad price vs real budget

Most LASIK ads quote per-eye — your financing decision is the both-eyes total.

Standard vs wavefront vs premium

Package tier can shift your total by $1,000–$2,500 before financing.

How your market compares with benchmark states

Geography can shift LASIK pricing more than many shoppers expect. This chart shows how your selected state stacks up against benchmark markets such as Texas, Florida, California, and New York.

When does LASIK catch up with glasses and contacts?

For many users, the question is not just “what does it cost?” but “when does it start making financial sense?” Adjust your annual vision spending below and compare it with the current mid estimate.

Current mid estimate
$5,000
Break-even point
5.0 years
Annual spend replaced
$1,300

10-year net savings estimate

Based on your annual glasses-and-contacts budget, the 10-year savings after covering the procedure would be about $8,000. This ignores financing interest and assumes your annual eyewear spending stays fairly consistent.

Want a dedicated break-even tool with 20-year projections and financing scenarios? Standalone break-even calculator →

About our cost methodology

Our estimates combine published pricing references, public provider pricing, financing examples, and regional cost adjustments. Costs vary by geography, provider, technology used, and patient candidacy, so the number you see here is directional rather than a guaranteed quote.

What’s included in our base price

  • Pre-operative eye exam (at the surgery center)
  • The procedure itself — both eyes
  • All standard follow-up visits through 12 months
  • Standard prescription eye drops for the first 30 days

What is typically NOT included

  • Your current glasses or contact lens prescription exam (done by your regular optometrist)
  • Extended dry eye treatment beyond standard drops
  • Retreatment / enhancement (unless you add the lifetime plan)
  • Vision therapy if needed post-procedure
  • Travel and accommodations for surgery

Why prices vary so much

LASIK pricing is notoriously opaque. You’ll see teaser ads on one end and premium bundled packages on the other. The actual procedure cost correlates most with surgeon experience, technology platform, local market, financing structure, and what is or is not bundled into the quote.

Red flag: prices below $1,500/eye

Per-eye pricing below $1,500 typically excludes: wavefront mapping, the pre-op exam, follow-up visits, and enhancement coverage. Always ask for an all-inclusive quote before comparing prices between centers.

Informational only

This calculator is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to determine candidacy or select a procedure without guidance from a qualified eye surgeon.

💳 Financing Your LASIK Procedure

Most patients pay for LASIK using one of these options:

Primary

Credible

Compare Loan Offers in Minutes

Compare personalized rates from multiple lenders with no impact to your credit score.

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Secondary

SoFi

Fast Direct Loan Option

A simple application with competitive rates for qualified borrowers.

Check Your Rate

Flexible fallback

Prosper

Flexible Approval Options

Additional lending options for a wider range of credit profiles.

View Options

Other ways patients pay for LASIK

Informational

CareCredit

0% Financing Through Your Provider

Many LASIK providers offer promotional 0% financing options through CareCredit.

Learn More

Some links may be partner links. Availability, terms, and rates vary by provider.