Standard LASIK is typically the most affordable major vision correction procedure. PRK costs a similar amount. EVO ICL and Refractive Lens Exchange cost significantly more but cover prescriptions and conditions that laser surgery cannot address.
Full cost details are at The Cost of Vision Correction: LASIK, PRK, and EVO ICL Compared within the Vision Correction Procedures Compared hub.
Featured Snippet: 2026 Cost Comparison (Both Eyes)
| Procedure | Typical Cost (Both Eyes) | |———–|————————-| | Standard LASIK | $2,800–$3,600 | | Custom Wavefront LASIK | $4,000–$5,600 | | PRK | $3,600–$5,000 | | SMILE | $4,400–$6,000 | | EVO ICL | $7,000–$10,000 | | RLE (standard IOL) | $5,000–$8,000 | | RLE (premium IOL) | $8,000–$14,000 |
The Affordability Caveat
The lowest price is not always the best value. This distinction matters enormously in vision correction surgery.
Low-advertised LASIK prices — “$299 per eye” or similar — typically reflect:
- Older technology platforms
- Non-custom, non-wavefront-guided treatment
- Excluded pre-operative evaluation fees
- No enhancement policy
- Narrow eligibility (only mild prescriptions qualify)
Patients who choose solely on price often discover the all-in cost approaches or exceeds a quality-first practice’s bundled fee — and may receive meaningfully inferior outcomes along the way.
The appropriate comparison is: what does a fully inclusive, quality-assured procedure at a recognized practice cost?
At that level of comparison, wavefront-guided LASIK from a high-quality practice runs $4,000–$5,600 for both eyes — still significantly less than EVO ICL.
HSA/FSA: Reducing the Effective Cost
All major vision correction procedures qualify for payment from Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. Using pre-tax dollars effectively reduces the cost by your marginal tax rate — typically 22–32% for most patients in the US.
On a $5,000 LASIK procedure, an HSA/FSA discount of 25% represents $1,250 in savings, bringing the effective out-of-pocket to $3,750.
See Can HSA or FSA Funds Be Used for Vision Correction? for details on how to plan and time your FSA/HSA usage.
The Lifetime Cost Argument
Most patients who have worn glasses and contacts for ten or more years find that any major vision correction procedure pays for itself within 5–10 years — even premium options like EVO ICL.
Annual cost of contacts and glasses: $600–$1,200 for most patients. Over 10 years: $6,000–$12,000. Over 30 years: $18,000–$36,000.
Custom LASIK (one-time): $4,000–$5,600 with long-term enhancement protection.
The break-even point for LASIK is typically 5–7 years. After that, every year without glasses and contacts is pure savings.
When Paying More Makes Sense
EVO ICL and RLE are more expensive than laser procedures, but they address conditions laser surgery cannot. If your corneas are too thin for safe LASIK or your prescription is above -10.00D, EVO ICL is not more expensive than LASIK — it is the only appropriate option.
Comparing EVO ICL to a LASIK you cannot safely have is not a meaningful cost comparison.
Related Resources
- Is Vision Correction Surgery Worth the Money?
- Can HSA or FSA Funds Be Used for Vision Correction?
- What Is the Best Vision Correction Surgery?
*This content is educational and does not constitute medical advice. Pricing reflects 2026 market averages and varies by geography and provider.*