Pros and Cons of LASIK: Everything You Need to Know

LASIK is a good option for people with vision issues who want to reduce their reliance on glasses and contacts. Over the last 25 years, an estimated 25 million eyes have been treated with LASIK. 

Like all surgeries, LASIK comes with pros and cons. Understanding what they are can help you decide if it’s right for you.

Is LASIK Worth It?

The goal of LASIK is to correct vision problems and reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, you won’t need any glasses or contact lenses after surgery. It’s typically a good choice for people with moderate refractive errors and healthy eyes.

LASIK has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any medical procedure, with more than 98% of LASIK patients saying they are either satisfied or very satisfied with their sight after surgery. The LASIK surgery success rate at NVISION is 99%, which makes the procedure more than “worth it” for patients.

During LASIK, doctors use lasers to remove minute amounts of corneal tissue. The procedure is very quick, as it’s completed in 5 to 10 minutes. It’s used to correct common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

One of the reasons that makes LASIK “worth it” is the cost savings: most people will wear contact lenses for 30 or more years at a cost of approximately $800 per year. That is a cost of $24,000 not including the cost of glasses, annual eye exams, etc. The cost of LASIK is a fraction of glasses or contacts – and it’s safer in the long run.

Curious how much you could save with LASIK? Try our interactive LASIK savings calculator!

The Pros of LASIK Surgery

LASIK is a permanent surgical correction for common vision problems. It’s an elective surgery, meaning you’re not medically required to undergo LASIK. However, the benefits of LASIK  are both clear and compelling, and include the following:

• Improved vision without glasses or contacts:  Wearing glasses can impede participation in sports, and contacts can be a hassle. You may not need these vision correction tools after LASIK. 
• Quick and painless procedure: Your LASIK surgery should take less than 10 minutes. Numbing drops ensure you don’t feel pain during the surgery. 
• Short recovery time: Your eyes start healing immediately after surgery, and you should see well within 24 to 48 hours. You’ll need a few months more for tissues to fully heal. 
• Potential cost savings: You may not need to buy contact lenses and contact cleaning solutions, new glasses, or other eye maintenance products. LASIK can save you thousands over a lifetime (about $800 per year), cutting down on the constant costs of glasses or contacts. Plus, it’s a safer option for long-term eye health.
• Everyday improvement: LASIK means no looking for glasses when you need to drive, walk the dog, or get up in the middle of the night. Skipping glasses could also boost your confidence.

Some of these risks can be avoided with conversations and planning, but others might keep you from choosing LASIK surgery. Your doctor can help you make an informed decision.

The Cons of LASIK Surgery

While LASIK can be a life-changing surgery for some people, it’s not right for everyone. Sometimes LASIK misconceptions (such as older people can’t get it, or the results don’t last) keep people away. But sometimes, it’s just not the right surgical option for some people.

Known drawbacks of LASIK surgery include the following:

• Potential for side effects: LASIK has a 98.7% satisfaction rate, and 98 percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after surgery. LASIK is very safe, but some people worry about the risks and opt to skip the surgery instead. 
• Cost of LASIK: The cost of LASIK ranges between $1,500 and $3,000 per eye. Insurance companies typically won’t cover the entire cost of surgery. Some people use HSAs, FSAs, or personal savings to pay for their vision changes. 
• Screenings: Doctors must evaluate eye health carefully before recommending LASIK, and that means detailed exams. Some people dislike these checks. 
• Potential for future procedures: LASIK is often effective. However, 1-5% of patients need a second LASIK surgery (or enhancement) to achieve their vision goals.
• Patient restrictions: Thin corneas, dry eyes, and high prescriptions are among the issues that could disqualify you from LASIK.

How LASIK Compares to Other Vision Correction Methods

LASIK is just one option your doctor could use to correct your vision. Other options could be a better choice, depending on your eyes and your goals. 

Other vision-correcting options include the following:

• PRK: PRK and LASIK are similar, as both can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, just like LASIK. But instead of creating a flap, PRK involves removing outer corneal layers with alcohol. If your corneas are too thin for LASIK, PRK could be a good choice. 
• SMILE: SMILE eye surgery corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism. A laser reshapes the cornea and removes the prescription from inside the cornea, and no flap is needed. if you have dry eyes, SMILE can be an excellent choice for you. Glasses or contact lenses: People have used simple lenses for hundreds of years to correct their vision. You can swap out lenses at any point, and no surgery is required.

Comparison of LASIK to Other Vision Correction Methods

Method	Pros	Cons
LASIK	Quick healing High success rate Permanent correction	Creates a flap in the cornea Not suitable for all patients Not reversible
PRK/LASIK	No flap created Suitable for thinner corneas  Permanent correction	Longer healing time  Not suitable for all patients Not reversible
SMILE	No flap created Suitable for high degrees of myopia and astigmatism Permanent correction	Not suitable for farsightedness Relatively newer procedure  Not reversible
Glasses or contact lenses	Easy to make changes Glasses frames can add style to your wardrobe No surgery required	Infections in contact lens wearers can be serious  Glasses can be a hassle for active people  Not a permanent vision solution Reoccuring costs

Pros & Cons of LASIK FAQs

We’ve gathered some of the most common questions about the pros and cons of LASIK, along with answers from our experts.

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