Patients and families often have practical questions about LASIK eye surgery that go beyond what an initial consultation can cover: cost, success rates, side effects, and what life looks like after surgery. This article answers the most common questions, shares US-specific outcome data, and includes a few illustrative patient scenarios.
For the procedure walkthrough and recovery timeline, see our procedure and recovery article. For the candidate evaluation process, see our candidate evaluation article.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does LASIK cost in the United States?
LASIK is generally not covered by health insurance because it’s considered elective. US pricing varies significantly based on geographic area, technology used, surgeon experience, and what’s included (follow-up visits, enhancements). All-laser wavefront-guided LASIK typically costs more than traditional LASIK. Many practices offer financing options, and FSA/HSA accounts can usually be used for LASIK. Some employers offer LASIK discount programs.
Is LASIK covered by insurance?
In most cases, no. LASIK is considered an elective vision-correction procedure. However:
- Vision insurance plans sometimes offer LASIK discounts (not full coverage)
- FSA and HSA accounts can be used for LASIK with pre-tax dollars
- Some employers offer LASIK as a benefit or through partner discounts
- Medical-necessity exceptions are rare but exist for specific conditions (e.g., severe contact lens intolerance)
What is the success rate of LASIK?
LASIK has consistently high success rates. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and FDA post-approval studies:
- 96 percent or more of LASIK patients achieve 20/40 vision or better (the legal driving standard in the US)
- 90 percent or more achieve 20/20 vision or better
- Patient satisfaction rates are typically 95+ percent in large US studies
Success rates vary by prescription strength (very high prescriptions are slightly less likely to achieve perfect 20/20) and the specific laser system used.
What are the most common side effects?
Most LASIK side effects are mild and temporary:
- Dry eyes (most common, typically improves over weeks to months)
- Glare, halos, or starbursts at night (most common in first 3-6 months, usually improves)
- Mild blurriness or visual fluctuations during healing
- Light sensitivity
- Mild discomfort or scratchy sensation for the first few days
Less common, more serious complications:
- Undercorrection or overcorrection (may require enhancement)
- Astigmatism induced by the procedure (rare)
- Flap complications (rare with modern femtosecond lasers)
- Diffuse lamellar keratitis (inflammation under the flap, treatable)
- Epithelial ingrowth (cells growing under the flap, rare)
- Ectasia (corneal weakening, very rare with proper screening)
- Infection (very rare, typically responds to antibiotics)
The FDA tracks LASIK outcomes and side effects through post-approval studies. The vast majority of patients have no significant complications.
Can LASIK be done on one eye at a time?
Yes, though most US surgeons perform both eyes the same day. One-eye-at-a-time is sometimes chosen for patients with unusual circumstances or those who want to evaluate one eye before committing to the second. The total cost is usually similar either way.
Will I need glasses again after LASIK?
Most patients achieve clear distance vision without glasses. However:
- Reading vision changes after age 40 (presbyopia) typically require reading glasses, even after successful LASIK
- A small percentage of patients need a touch-up procedure or weak glasses for night driving
- Long-term changes in the eye (cataracts, eye disease) may eventually affect vision
LASIK doesn’t prevent age-related vision changes — it corrects the refractive error you have at the time of surgery.
What’s the difference between LASIK and PRK?
| LASIK | PRK | |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal flap | Created | Not created (outer layer removed instead) |
| Recovery time | Days (faster) | About 1 week of blurry vision and discomfort |
| Visual outcome | Same long-term | Same long-term |
| Best for | Most candidates | Thin corneas, contact sports, military |
| Pain after | Mild | More noticeable for 3-5 days |
Is LASIK reversible?
No. The corneal reshaping is permanent. The tissue removed during LASIK does not grow back. However, if vision changes occur later, additional procedures (enhancements) can be done.
How long do LASIK results last?
The corneal reshaping is permanent, but eyes can continue to change over time. Many people enjoy stable corrected vision for 10+ years. Some need touch-ups or eventually develop age-related changes like presbyopia (around age 40+) or cataracts (typically 60+).
Can I have LASIK if I’m over 40?
Yes, but with realistic expectations. LASIK can correct distance vision in adults of any age (assuming candidate criteria are met), but it won’t prevent or correct presbyopia (age-related close-vision loss). Many patients over 40 choose monovision LASIK (one eye corrected for distance, one for near), or accept that they’ll need reading glasses after LASIK.
Can LASIK fix dry eyes?
No. LASIK doesn’t fix dry eyes — it can actually cause temporary or persistent dry eye symptoms. Patients with significant pre-existing dry eye may not be good LASIK candidates and may be better served by PRK or other techniques.
What if my vision changes after LASIK?
For most patients, vision remains stable for many years. If vision regresses or changes:
- Touch-up enhancement is possible for many patients (often free or discounted within the first year)
- Glasses or contacts can be used as needed
- Other surgical options may be considered later
Can both eyes really be done in one day?
Yes. Most US LASIK practices do both eyes the same day, with a brief pause between eyes. This is the standard approach.
What if I blink during the procedure?
The eyelid holder prevents blinking. The laser system also has eye-tracking technology that follows tiny eye movements and pauses if needed. Patients cannot actually disrupt the procedure by blinking.
How do I choose a LASIK surgeon?
Key factors:
- Board certification in ophthalmology
- Refractive surgery fellowship or extensive experience
- Volume of LASIK procedures performed
- Use of modern, FDA-approved laser systems
- Comprehensive evaluation process
- Clear discussion of risks and realistic outcomes
- Strong patient satisfaction and review history
- Transparent pricing and what’s included
The AAO and ASCRS both offer surgeon finder tools.
LASIK Statistics in the United States
The following figures are drawn from US sources including the FDA post-approval studies, AAO, and ASCRS. They represent population-level estimates that vary by year, technology, surgeon, and patient subgroup.
- Volume: Hundreds of thousands of LASIK procedures are performed annually in the United States, per AAO and ASCRS.
- Visual outcomes: 96 percent of patients achieve 20/40 vision or better; 90 percent achieve 20/20 or better (FDA post-approval).
- Patient satisfaction: US satisfaction rates consistently 95+ percent across large studies.
- Dry eye: Temporary dry eye affects most patients; persistent symptoms in roughly 10-20 percent at 6 months, dropping over time.
- Glare/halos at night: Reported by 20-30 percent of patients in the first months, persistent in fewer than 5 percent long-term.
- Enhancement rate: Roughly 2-5 percent of patients eventually need a touch-up procedure.
- Serious complications: Vision-threatening complications occur in well under 1 percent of US LASIK procedures.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Help
After LASIK, certain symptoms warrant immediate contact with the surgical team. Call without delay or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:
- Sudden, severe eye pain
- Sudden vision loss
- Increasing redness, discharge, or signs of infection
- Feeling like something is stuck in your eye (could be flap displacement)
- Severe sensitivity to light that persists or worsens
- Sudden double vision
These symptoms can signal complications such as flap displacement, infection, or inflammation that need urgent attention.
Patient Scenarios
These short, illustrative scenarios reflect common LASIK experiences in the United States. They are educational examples and not real patients.
David, age 32, software engineer. David had worn glasses for myopia (-4.50 in both eyes) since age 14. After 18 years of glasses and intermittent contact lens use, he scheduled a LASIK evaluation. He was confirmed as an excellent candidate (stable prescription, adequate corneal thickness, no dry eye). He had all-laser LASIK with both eyes done the same day. Within 24 hours he was driving and back at his computer. By his 1-week follow-up he was seeing 20/20 in each eye. Two years later he continues to enjoy glasses-free distance vision.
Sarah, age 28, mother and recreational athlete. Sarah had myopia (-2.75) and astigmatism. She tolerated contact lenses poorly and was tired of glasses interfering with running and chasing her toddler. After evaluation she chose wavefront-guided LASIK. She had both eyes done on a Friday, returned to her usual routine by Monday, and was back to running by week 2. She experienced mild dry eye that resolved over 3 months with lubricating drops. At 1 year she sees 20/20 with no glasses.
Michael, age 47, considering presbyopia options. Michael had moderate myopia (-3.00) and was just beginning to need readers for close work. He discussed monovision LASIK with his surgeon (correcting one eye for distance, leaving the other slightly nearsighted for reading). After trying monovision with contact lenses for 2 weeks (which he tolerated well), he proceeded with monovision LASIK. He now uses readers only for extended fine print and is glasses-free for most daily activities.
Questions to Ask Your LASIK Surgeon
- Am I a good candidate for LASIK, or would another procedure be better for me?
- What is my expected visual outcome?
- What technology do you use, and why?
- What’s your team’s complication rate?
- What does the total cost include (follow-up visits, enhancements, etc.)?
- What is your enhancement policy if I need a touch-up?
- What are the specific risks for my eyes?
- What is the recovery timeline for my profession and lifestyle?
- What should I do if I experience symptoms after surgery?
- How long have you been performing LASIK?
Continue Reading the LASIK Cluster
- LASIK Eye Surgery: Overview, Types, and What to Expect
- LASIK Eye Surgery: Candidate Evaluation and Decision
- LASIK Eye Surgery: Procedure, Recovery, and Rehabilitation
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). LASIK: outcomes and patient information. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). LASIK statistics and patient resources. https://ascrs.org/patients
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). LASIK approved devices and outcomes. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/surgery-devices/lasik
- National Eye Institute (NEI). Refractive surgery. https://www.nei.nih.gov/
- Mayo Clinic. LASIK eye surgery: outcomes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774
- Cleveland Clinic. LASIK eye surgery: outcomes and complications. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8596-lasik-eye-surgery
- NIH MedlinePlus. Refractive surgery. https://medlineplus.gov/refractiveerrors.html
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified eye care professional with questions about LASIK eligibility, technique selection, or post-operative care.
