If you wear glasses or contacts, you know the drill: you wake up to a blurry world and immediately have to fumble for your frames to see the clock. It’s a repetitive, daily hassle that can honestly be a little stressful. That is precisely why millions of people consider LASIK – the dream of waking up with perfect vision is powerful.
However, the decision isn’t black-and-white. While sticking with contacts means a lifetime of monthly expenses, LASIK requires a high upfront cost and, let’s be honest, the idea of laser eye surgery can be intimidating. It is a serious medical procedure that requires careful consideration. So, the big question remains: is the freedom from frames really worth the leap?
Overview
For almost everyone, the answer is yes. This surgery makes people very happy. In fact, according to the 2016 Modern LASIK Outcomes study, 99.5% of eyes saw 20/40 or better after LASIK. Most of them can see perfectly afterward.
But it is not perfect for everyone. It costs a lot of money, and insurance usually does not pay for it. Also, you might have side effects, like dry eyes, that last for months. It is an excellent choice if your eyes are a good match for the surgery, but it can be a big mistake if you are not.
What is LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. That’s hard to say, so everyone calls it LASIK. The Mayo Clinic defines it as a type of surgery that reshapes your eye so light enters it correctly. This fixes your vision so you can see clearly without needing glasses or contacts.
The surgery is swift. It usually takes less than 30 minutes to finish both eyes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You stay awake the whole time, but the doctor puts special drops in your eyes to numb them. This makes sure you do not feel any pain.
What’s happening in your body during LASIK?
To understand LASIK, you first need to know how your eyes work. Your eye is like a camera. The clear front part of the eye is called the cornea. Its job is to bend light so it lands perfectly on the back of your eye. When your vision is blurry, it means your cornea is misshapen, and light misses the target.
During the surgery, the doctor uses a laser to fix this shape. First, the doctor creates a thin flap on the surface of your eye and lifts it. Next, a second laser removes a tiny amount of tissue to fix the curve of your eye. The flap is put back down. It acts as a natural bandage and heals on its own without stitches. Because the shape is fixed, the light now hits the right spot perfectly.
What causes vision problems?
People generally seek LASIK to treat three primary vision issues caused by irregularities in the shape of the eye. The first, myopia (nearsightedness), occurs when the eye is too long or the cornea is too curved, making distant objects look blurry while close-up items remain clear. In contrast, hyperopia (farsightedness) happens when the eye is too short, or the cornea is too flat; this allows you to see far away but often causes headaches or eye strain when reading a book.
Finally, astigmatism results from the eye being shaped like a football rather than a basketball, distorting or stretching vision at any distance. As Michigan Medicine notes, while LASIK is highly effective at addressing these specific structural issues, it cannot fix every type of vision problem.
Health risks and complications
While LASIK is generally considered safe, it remains a surgical procedure with potential risks and complications that should be weighed carefully. The most frequent complaint is dry eyes, which results from temporary nerve damage that disrupts tear production and often necessitates the constant use of eye drops during the initial months of recovery. Patients may also experience visual disturbances, such as glare, halos or “starbursts” around lights at night; while these effects usually resolve within a few weeks, they can occasionally become permanent.
Furthermore, there is a possibility of undercorrection or overcorrection if the laser removes too little or too much tissue, which might leave you still needing glasses or requiring a second “enhancement” surgery. In rarer cases, the corneal flap may wrinkle or fail to heal correctly, leading to distorted vision. According to the FDA, while serious complications resulting in vision loss are infrequent, it is essential to discuss these specific risks with your doctor before proceeding.
What to do about vision problems
If you are tired of wearing glasses, the first step is to schedule a comprehensive consultation rather than booking surgery immediately. It is crucial to prioritize finding a reputable surgeon over seeking the lowest price; according to Liberty Eye Center, deep-discount offers like “$299 per eye” often rely on outdated technology or conceal hidden fees. During your consultation, the doctor will map your eye and measure corneal thickness, which is the most critical factor in determining eligibility; if your cornea is too thin, the procedure is considered dangerous because LASIK involves removing tissue.
Finally, you should maintain realistic expectations regarding the outcome. While most patients hope for perfect “20/20” vision, the clinical goal is actually 20/40 vision (the legal requirement for driving), meaning that even after a successful surgery, you might still require thin glasses for specific situations like night driving.
When to see a doctor
To find out if you can get LASIK, you need to visit an eye doctor for a check-up. The first thing they look at is your age. The Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that you must be at least 18 years old, but most doctors prefer you to be over 21. Your vision also needs to be steady. This means your prescription for glasses has not changed for at least one year.
If your eyesight continues to worsen each year, the doctor will tell you to wait. Waiting for the right time is very important. If you get the surgery while your eyes are still changing, your vision will get blurry again later. This means the surgery would be a waste of your money. You also need to have healthy eyes. The doctor will check to make sure you do not have any eye infections or injuries.
What disqualifies you for LASIK?
“Many people want LASIK but cannot have it. A good doctor will turn you away if you have these issues”, explains Dr. Justus Rabach, MD. “If you get turned away, listen to them. It may save your vision.”
One major disqualifier is having thin corneas; removing tissue from an already thin surface can cause it to bulge later, leading to a serious condition known as ectasia. Additionally, patients with severe pre-existing dry eye are often disqualified because the surgery can make the condition unbearable.
Systemic health issues also play a role, as autoimmune diseases like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis affect the body’s healing process and make recovery too risky. Finally, pregnancy is a temporary barrier because hormones can alter the shape of the eye; consequently, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises waiting until several months after breastfeeding ends to ensure your prescription is stable.
What are the downsides of LASIK?
Beyond the potential medical complications, LASIK has significant practical downsides that require careful consideration, starting with the financial investment. The procedure is costly, averaging roughly $4,400 per eye, and because insurance providers typically classify it as “cosmetic,” patients are almost always responsible for the full out-of-pocket cost.
Another major limitation is the inevitability of presbyopia; LASIK does not stop the natural aging process. Around age 40 or 45, everyone begins to lose the ability to focus on close objects, meaning that even if you achieve perfect distance vision now, you will eventually need reading glasses for tasks like looking at menus or using your phone. Finally, it is crucial to understand that the procedure is permanent; once the corneal tissue is removed, it cannot be replaced, making the changes to your eyes irreversible.
Christopher Hood, MD, a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and medical director of the Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Clinic, says that “the risk is much lower than it used to be and the technology is much better. The treatment zone is much larger now, covering the entire cornea.”
Bottom line
LASIK is worth it for most eligible people because it provides immediate, permanent freedom from glasses and contacts with a very high success rate. However, it is a significant financial investment and comes with temporary side effects, such as dry eyes and glare. It is not a solution for age-related reading issues (presbyopia), so you must have realistic expectations about what the surgery can and cannot do for your future vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days of rest are needed after LASIK?
Most people can return to work and normal activities within one to two days, though you should avoid swimming or contact sports for at least two weeks.
What is the best age to get LASIK eye surgery?
The ideal age is typically between 25 and 40, when your vision prescription has stabilized but before age-related reading vision loss begins.
Is LASIK surgery painful?
No, the surgery itself is not painful because numbing drops are used, though you may feel some pressure during the procedure and a gritty sensation for a few hours afterward.
Citations
Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T, et al. Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2016;42(8):1224-1234. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.07.012
Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery. Mayoclinic.org. Published November 8, 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774
Cleveland Clinic. LASIK (Corrective Laser Eye Surgery): What Is it, Procedure, Risks & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. Published February 17, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21805-lasik-eye-surgery
Joy K. Pros and Cons of LASIK: Are the Risks Worth the Cost? www.michiganmedicine.org. Published December 13, 2017. https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/pros-and-cons-lasik-are-risks-worth-cost
U.S Food and Drug Administration. What should I expect before, during, and after surgery? FDA. Published online February 8, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery
Liberty Eye Center. Welcome To Zscaler Directory Authentication. Libertylasereye.com. Published 2026. Accessed January 13, 2026. https://libertylasereye.com/cheap-lasik-fake-advertising/
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Refractive Eye Surgery. Hopkinsmedicine.org. Published August 26, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/refractive-eye-surgery Boyd K. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published January 22, 2018. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik
