If you’ve been considering a LASIK procedure, but haven’t committed quite yet, you’ve probably wondered, “Is LASIK worth it financially?” There’s a lot to consider before deciding to schedule your surgery, and the cost of the procedure is one part of that equation. However, keep in mind that when you get LASIK, you’re also saving yourself from many ongoing vision correction costs. Read on to hear more about how LASIK saves you money.

Is LASIK worth it financially?

It’s no secret that, like any surgery, LASIK isn’t cheap. It is also an elective surgical procedure, and insurance frequently doesn’t cover it. That may give you pause because it does cost a significant amount of money. So then the question becomes, “Is LASIK worth it?” Ask nearly anyone who’s already had LASIK surgery, and they’ll tell you their improved vision and the lack of hassle was absolutely worth it. Still, there are several things to consider before you can answer that question for yourself. 

If you are considering LASIK surgery, that means you already require vision correction of some kind. Whether you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you’re already putting money toward your vision correction in the form of regular eye exams, new glasses, or new contact lenses. What you may not have previously considered is that you’re already paying quite a bit to maintain your vision correction solutions, whatever they currently are. 

Although LASIK will cost more upfront than getting a pair of new glasses, for example, LASIK is also a permanent vision correction solution. That means that whatever vision correction you can achieve with LASIK will stick with you, so you won’t need to re-up your surgery every year like you would a glasses or contact lens prescription. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy improved vision without requiring regular upgrades for an average of about 10 years for most patients. If you’re still not convinced, it might help to take a closer look at exactly how LASIK saves you money. 

Comparing the cost of LASIK to glasses or contacts

When you’re considering whether the cost of LASIK is financially worthwhile for you, it can be helpful to take a look at the vision correction costs you’ve already been incurring. First, consider how long you’ve been wearing glasses or contact lenses. Every time your eyes change, or anytime your glasses or contacts get damaged, you have to replace your glasses, your contact lenses, or both. If you’ve been wearing glasses since you were a child, those costs can really add up over time. 

While it’s true that LASIK is more expensive upfront than glasses or contact lenses would be, you’ll also be saving money on the glasses or contacts you’d be buying otherwise. You’re likely paying for a new pair of glasses or year’s supply of contact lenses each and every year. Ever added those costs up? You’ll probably be surprised by the numbers. 

The average cost of a single pair of new eyeglasses is about $187 per year, depending on where you get them, not counting the potential necessity of additional pairs or prescription sunglasses. The average cost of a year’s supply of contact lenses comes in at about $325, though it could be less or significantly more depending on your prescription and the type of lenses you use. Then there’s the cost of yearly eye exams and other supplies, like contact lens solution, carrying cases, and more. 

So, is LASIK worth it financially? Once you start to consider these costs, it starts to become clear—glasses and contact lenses might not actually be cheaper in the long run. Beyond the monetary costs, consider how much extra time and effort these can take. Wearing glasses and contacts can be inconvenient and a bit unwieldy in certain situations, which has its own cost. For many people, being able to see better without having to rely on glasses or contacts sounds significantly more convenient and generally more enjoyable. 

How much could you save by getting LASIK

If you want to find out how much money you could save over a lifetime by getting LASIK done now, this LASIK cost calculator can help you estimate your savings. It takes into account your current age and whether you wear glasses, contacts, or both, then calculates what you could save in the long run. Keep in mind that you may have other eye care expenses that factor in, too, so you could ultimately be saving even more. 

Beyond the financial savings, keep in mind the other savings you’ll enjoy in terms of your quality of life. If you wear contact lenses, you won’t have to worry about losing them anymore, or having one pop out or come out of alignment at the wrong time. You won’t have to remember to pack contact lens solution and extra pairs anytime you leave the house. All those orders of contact lenses over the course of the year? Done. 

If you wear glasses, say goodbye to that ache on the bridge of your nose all the time. And you know how tired you get of having your glasses fog up or slip down your nose all the time? After LASIK, those worries will be gone, too. You’ll be freed from cleaning your glasses, freed from worrying about scratches, and freed from worrying about breaking your favorite pair. You also won’t have to remember to carry your prescription sunglasses with you everywhere you go. With LASIK, you can save in a lot of different ways. 

Is LASIK worth it for you?

Now that you understand how LASIK saves you money—and more—over the long term, it’s time to decide whether the LASIK cost is worth it for you. There are a few things you should consider while you decide. 

• The price of the procedure itself will be more than glasses or contacts upfront. 
• LASIK a surgical procedure, which requires some down time and recovery. 
• There will be some necessary lifestyle modifications while your eyes heal. 
• Even with the most successful results, many people still require reading glasses as they age because of presbyopia—a condition that occurs with age wherein your eye’s lens loses elasticity and can’t focus as well on very small or close up things. 
• While LASIK does provide permanent vision correction for certain common vision problems, it can’t prevent other conditions, like presbyopia or cataracts, from developing over time. 

It’s also important to understand that not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Before you become too attached to the idea, make sure you see an experienced eye surgeon to discuss whether or not you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery. They’ll get a full health history, as well as a thorough eye exam, before determining whether or not LASIK is right for you. If not, ask about other procedures, like PRK, that can provide comparable results for patients who may not qualify for LASIK. 

If you do qualify, and you feel like LASIK will be financially beneficial and improve your quality of life, it’s time to schedule a consultation with an eye surgeon you trust. At that point, you can get all of your final questions answered so that you feel comfortable, confident, and ready for improved vision with LASIK. 

Getting LASIK is about more than how to save money on prescription eyeglasses. LASIK can save you money in the long run, and can definitely save you time, effort, and worry, but it can also improve your quality of life. Going about your daily activities is significantly more convenient without having to bother with glasses or contacts all the time. You may find you experience improved self-esteem, too. Ultimately, people decide getting LASIK is worth it for a variety of different reasons, and all of them are valid. 

Let Dello Russo Laser Vision help you 

When you’re ready to get started with your vision correction, we invite you to contact us at Dello Russo Laser Vision. As the leading eye providers in the Northeast for more than 40 years, our world class eye surgeons have the experience and expertise you can trust. Our surgeons are committed to remaining at the forefront of ophthalmological treatments to provide the very best vision results for our patients. 

Dello Russo Laser Vision is a family-run business and because of this, we are dedicated to helping our patients feel comfortable and at-ease throughout every appointment. We provide warm, friendly, and professional service to ensure we provide quality care at all times. For our LASIK patients, we offer custom, bladeless procedures so that we can personalize the procedure as much as possible. This allows us to provide precise vision correction for excellent results. 

Ready to make your appointment? Schedule your free initial consultation today to find out how LASIK saves you money and so much more. You can also get more information by reading our informative LASIK surgery blogs before your initial consultation. It’s time to live your life with better vision. We look forward to helping you achieve your vision goals.