A few hundred dollars a year for contacts might not seem like much. But if you've been wearing them for years—or plan to for years to come—it can add up. LASIK comes with a bigger upfront cost, so which one actually costs more in the long run? The answer isn't as simple as looking at the price tag.
LASIK and contact lenses can both correct your vision, but they have very different cost structures. LASIK is primarily an upfront expense, while contact lenses involve recurring costs for lenses, supplies and related eye care. Which option costs less over time depends on your LASIK price, your contact lens expenses and how long you use vision correction.
For a broader look at LASIK pricing, including what affects the price, financing, insurance and HSA/FSA options, see our guide to How Much Does LASIK Cost?.
LASIK vs. Contact Lenses Cost at a Glance
Cost Consideration
Lasik
Contact Lenses
Cost structure
Primarily an upfront procedure cost
Recurring expenses
Initial expense
Procedure and related care
Lenses and eye-care visit
Ongoing lens costs
None
Yes
Supplies
Typically minimal after treatment
Solutions and other supplies may be needed
Routine eye exams
Still recommended
Still recommended
Replacement costs
Enhancements may occasionally be needed
Lenses are replaced regularly
Financing
May be available
Generally not applicable
HSA/FSA
May be available
Some eligible expenses may qualify
The important difference is one-time versus recurring spending. LASIK requires a larger initial investment, while contact lenses can continue generating expenses for as long as you wear them.
How Much Does LASIK Cost?
The cost of LASIK varies by provider, location, technology, prescription and what is included in the procedure price. Pricing may also be presented per eye rather than as a total price for both eyes.
For current pricing information and a closer look at the factors that affect LASIK costs, visit How Much Does LASIK Cost?.
When comparing a LASIK quote, look beyond the advertised price. Ask whether the price includes the preoperative evaluation, procedure, follow-up visits, technology being used and any other services you may need.
What Can Affect the Cost of LASIK?
LASIK pricing can vary based on:
Technology: Different laser systems and treatment technologies may have different costs.
Location: Prices can vary between cities and regions.
Provider and surgeon: Experience, practice structure and pricing models can affect the cost.
Your individual needs: Your prescription and treatment requirements may affect the procedure and price.
What’s included: Some providers offer all-inclusive pricing, while others may charge separately for certain services.
How Much Do Contact Lenses Cost?
Contact lenses may seem less expensive because the cost is spread out over time. However, the total expense includes more than the lenses themselves.
Depending on your prescription and the type of contacts you wear, your expenses may include:
Contact lenses
Contact lens solution and supplies
Contact lens examinations and fittings
Routine eye exams
Replacement lenses
Backup glasses
The cost can also vary significantly depending on whether you wear daily, biweekly or monthly lenses and whether you need specialty lenses, such as toric lenses for astigmatism or multifocal lenses.
Because contact lenses are recurring expenses, the amount you spend can add up over several years.
LASIK vs. Contacts: Comparing the Long-Term Cost
The simplest way to compare the two options is to look at upfront cost versus recurring cost.
With LASIK, most of the expense occurs around the time of the procedure. You may still have routine eye-care expenses afterward, and some patients may eventually need an enhancement or other vision correction as their eyes change.
With contact lenses, expenses generally continue as long as you use them. Each year can bring costs for lenses, supplies, examinations and other related care.
For example, someone who spends $500 each year on contact lenses and related supplies would spend approximately $5,000 over 10 years before accounting for inflation, changes in prescription, eye exams or other expenses.
At $750 per year, the same expenses would total approximately $7,500 over 10 years.
These are illustrative examples, not estimates of what every contact lens wearer will spend. Your actual costs can be significantly different.
A Simple Way to Compare Your Costs
To estimate your own long-term contact lens expenses:
Annual contact lens expenses × number of years = estimated recurring cost
You can make the comparison more useful by including the expenses you actually pay, such as:
Lenses
Solutions
Contact lens exams or fittings
Routine eye exams
Other supplies
Then compare that estimate with the total price of LASIK.
When Can LASIK Cost Less Than Contacts Over Time?
There isn’t one break-even point that applies to everyone.
The answer depends on two primary factors:
How much you pay for LASIK
How much you spend on contact lenses and related expenses each year
For example, if LASIK costs $4,000 for both eyes and you spend $500 per year on contact lenses and supplies, the simple mathematical comparison reaches $4,000 after eight years.
However, this does not mean LASIK will necessarily cost less after exactly eight years. A real comparison should also account for changes in contact lens costs, eye exams, insurance or vision benefits, financing costs, LASIK follow-up care and the possibility that your vision needs may change.
The best comparison is based on your own expected expenses rather than a single national estimate.
What Other Costs Should You Consider?
Price isn’t the only financial consideration when comparing LASIK with contacts.
Contact Lens-Related Expenses
In addition to the lenses themselves, contact lens wearers may pay for:
Cleaning and storage supplies
Replacement lenses
Contact lens exams and fittings
Routine eye exams
Backup glasses
These expenses recur over time.
LASIK-Related Expenses
LASIK is primarily an upfront procedure expense, but other costs may include:
Preoperative evaluation
Follow-up care
Prescription medications or other short-term supplies, depending on your provider
Potential enhancement procedures in the future
Ask your provider what is included in the quoted LASIK price so you can make a meaningful comparison.
Can You Make LASIK More Affordable?
The upfront cost of LASIK doesn’t necessarily have to be paid all at once. Depending on the provider and your circumstances, several options may help make the procedure more manageable.
LASIK Financing
Some LASIK providers offer financing programs that allow eligible patients to spread payments over time. Financing terms, interest rates, fees and eligibility vary.
LASIK may qualify as an eligible medical expense for HSA or FSA funds, depending on your plan and circumstances. Check with your plan administrator before using these funds.
Insurance and Vision Plan Discounts
Most health insurance plans do not cover LASIK because it is generally considered elective vision correction. Some vision plans may provide discounts or special pricing through participating providers.
Your benefits administrator or insurance company can tell you whether your plan offers a LASIK discount.
Is LASIK Worth the Cost Compared With Contacts?
Whether LASIK is worth the cost depends on your priorities, vision needs and financial situation.
Contacts may have a lower initial cost, but they require ongoing purchases and maintenance. LASIK requires a larger upfront investment but can reduce or eliminate the need for contact lenses for many patients.
There are also nonfinancial factors to consider. Some people value reducing their dependence on glasses or contacts, while others prefer the flexibility of continuing with contact lenses.
Rather than assuming one option is financially better for everyone, compare your expected contact lens expenses with the actual cost of LASIK and consider how long you expect to need vision correction.
Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK vs. Contacts Cost
Is LASIK cheaper than contact lenses?
LASIK may cost less than contact lenses over the long term for some people, but there is no single answer for everyone. The comparison depends on the price of LASIK and your ongoing contact lens expenses.
How much do contact lenses cost over 10 years?
Ten-year contact lens costs vary based on lens type, replacement schedule, supplies, eye-care expenses and insurance benefits. As an illustration, spending $500 per year would total about $5,000 over 10 years, while spending $750 per year would total about $7,500.
How long does it take for LASIK to become more cost-effective than contacts?
There is no universal break-even point. You can estimate your own break-even period by comparing your total LASIK cost with your average annual contact lens expenses.
Does insurance cover LASIK?
Most health insurance plans do not cover LASIK because it is generally considered elective vision correction. Some vision plans may offer LASIK discounts. Coverage and discounts vary by plan.
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for LASIK?
LASIK may qualify as an eligible medical expense for HSA or FSA funds, depending on your plan and circumstances. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator.
Can I finance LASIK?
Many LASIK providers offer financing options for eligible patients. Available payment plans and terms vary by provider and financing program.
What costs should I include when comparing LASIK with contacts?
For a more accurate comparison, include the LASIK procedure and related costs, as well as contact lenses, replacement lenses, solutions, contact lens exams, routine eye exams and other recurring expenses.
Compare the Cost of LASIK With Your Current Contact Lens Expenses
The cost of LASIK is an important part of deciding whether vision correction surgery makes sense for you. Looking at the price of the procedure alongside the recurring cost of contact lenses can give you a clearer picture of the potential long-term financial impact.
If you’re researching LASIK pricing, start with our guide to the cost of LASIK to learn more about typical pricing, factors that affect the cost and ways to make LASIK more affordable.
Your individual LASIK cost will depend on your provider, location, treatment needs and the services included in your procedure.
