I was referred to Dr. Callahan by my primary doctor, Dr Callahan and staff are extremely nice, professional, and knowledgeable. I’ll return for eye care and have already recommended her to my family.
Chang Liu
Is LASIK Worth It? LASIK vs. Contact Lenses
Comparing Costs: LASIK vs. Contacts Over Time
Contacts feel affordable on a monthly basis, but the true cost builds steadily over years. Looking at both options across a longer horizon gives you a much clearer picture of the financial comparison.
A reasonable estimate for monthly contact lens expenses, including lenses, solution, cases, and annual fitting exams, often falls around 50 dollars or more per month. Daily disposable lenses tend to push that annual figure higher than monthly or biweekly lenses.
- Over 10 years: approximately 6,000 dollars
- Over 20 years: approximately 12,000 dollars
- Over 30 years: approximately 18,000 dollars
These estimates do not include replacement glasses, emergency eye visits for lens-related infections, or the time spent on daily lens care routines.
LASIK pricing reflects the technology used, the surgeon's experience, and your geographic area. A typical range for both eyes falls between 4,000 and 7,000 dollars, with the average cost per eye falling between 2,000 and 3,500 dollars.
A complete price should include pre-operative testing, the procedure itself, and follow-up visits through the first year of recovery. Be cautious of low advertised prices that may exclude femtosecond flap creation, custom wavefront treatment, all pre- and post-operative visits, or an enhancement policy. Ask for a full written breakdown so you can compare accurately.
LASIK is considered a qualified medical expense, which means it can be paid with pre-tax dollars from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Depending on your tax bracket, this can reduce your effective out-of-pocket cost meaningfully.
FSA funds typically have a use-it-or-lose-it deadline, so confirming your balance and timing your procedure accordingly is worth doing in advance. Many practices also offer financing plans with low or zero interest for qualified patients, and CareCredit is widely accepted.
To estimate your break-even point, divide your total LASIK cost by your annual contact lens and exam spending. For example, if LASIK costs 5,000 dollars and your yearly contact expenses total 600 dollars, you reach financial break-even in approximately eight years.
Every year after that point represents real savings. For patients in their twenties or thirties who expect decades of contact lens wear ahead, LASIK often proves to be a sound long-term investment. For those approaching the age when reading glasses become necessary, the financial benefit may be more modest, though the lifestyle convenience remains significant.
Safety, Risks, and Alternatives
LASIK has an excellent safety record when patients are selected carefully and surgery is performed with modern technology. Understanding both the common temporary effects and the rare serious risks helps you make a fully informed decision.
A thorough pre-operative evaluation is the most important step in reducing LASIK complications. It goes well beyond a standard vision test and typically takes one to two hours to complete.
- Corneal tomography to detect subtle structural irregularities and measure thickness across the entire cornea
- Calculation of the residual stromal bed and percent tissue altered to keep removal within safe limits
- A contact lens holiday before testing so measurements reflect your eye's true natural shape
- Comprehensive ocular surface evaluation with treatment of dry eye and blepharitis before surgery
- Dilated retinal exam when clinically indicated
- Discussion of alternatives such as PRK, SMILE, or phakic IOLs if elevated risk is identified
Most patients experience some side effects in the weeks following LASIK. These are generally temporary and resolve as the eyes heal over the first several months.
- Dry eyes that improve with lubricating drops, typically over three to six months
- Halos or starbursts around lights at night, most noticeable in the first few weeks
- Mild glare or light sensitivity that fades as healing progresses
- Fluctuating vision as the cornea settles into its new shape
- A temporary rise in eye pressure from steroid drops, monitored at follow-up visits
- Limited comfort with night driving in the early recovery period
Serious complications after LASIK are uncommon, but they are real and important to understand before making your decision. Individual risk depends on your eye anatomy, corneal measurements, and overall health.
- Flap complications such as striae (wrinkles) or displacement, particularly following trauma to the eye
- Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), an inflammatory condition under the flap, and epithelial ingrowth
- Infectious keratitis, a serious corneal infection
- Undercorrection, overcorrection, or regression that may require glasses, contacts, or an enhancement
- Persistent dry eye that does not fully resolve
- Rare neuropathic corneal pain
- Ectasia, a condition where the cornea gradually bulges forward and causes distorted vision, with elevated risk in patients who have thin corneas, abnormal tomography, or a history of eye rubbing
Choosing an experienced LASIK Surgeon and following all pre- and post-operative instructions significantly reduces the chance of serious problems.
LASIK is not the only option, and for some patients another procedure offers a better balance of safety, results, and recovery. Your LASIK Surgeon will discuss each option in the context of your specific corneal measurements, prescription, and lifestyle.
- PRK for thinner corneas, epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, or higher ectasia risk; longer recovery but no flap
- SMILE, a small-incision procedure for certain myopic and astigmatic prescriptions, with potentially less post-operative dry eye
- Phakic IOLs (implantable collamer lenses) for very high prescriptions or corneas that are too thin for laser reshaping
- Lens-based procedures for older patients with early lens changes or significant presbyopia
Contacts are safe when used correctly, but improper hygiene or wearing habits carry meaningful risks over a lifetime of use. Microbial keratitis, a potentially serious corneal infection, can result in pain, redness, and lasting vision changes if not caught and treated quickly.
- Never wear contacts while swimming, showering, or in hot tubs due to waterborne organisms including Acanthamoeba
- Sleeping in lenses greatly increases infection risk and reduces oxygen delivery to the cornea
- Long-term contact wear can promote unwanted blood vessel growth on the cornea over time
- Daily disposables lower but do not eliminate infection risk; strict hygiene remains essential
After LASIK heals completely, the ongoing risk from contact lens wear no longer applies, though LASIK carries its own long-term considerations, including flap vulnerability with significant eye trauma and the potential for lasting dryness in some patients.
Daily Life: Convenience vs. Commitment
How each option fits into your daily routine is often just as important as the clinical comparison. Both LASIK and contacts have real lifestyle implications worth thinking through honestly.
Wearing contact lenses means committing to a consistent daily routine. Hands must be thoroughly washed before insertion and removal, lenses must be placed and removed carefully, and reusable lenses need to be cleaned and stored in fresh solution every night.
Lens cases should be replaced regularly to prevent contamination, and supplies need to be restocked before they run out, including when traveling. Even daily disposable lenses require you to carry extras and plan ahead. This routine demands time and attention every single day for as long as you wear contacts.
Contacts come with activity limitations that many wearers find frustrating over time. Sleeping in most lenses is not recommended, as it reduces corneal oxygen and raises infection risk substantially.
- Avoid swimming or showering while wearing lenses to prevent serious waterborne infections
- Remove lenses before naps to protect eye health
- Keep backup glasses available for times when lenses cannot be worn
- Plan around early mornings, late nights, or travel situations where lens care is inconvenient
LASIK recovery involves short-term restrictions that are temporary compared to the lifelong daily commitment of contact lenses. Most patients return to work within one to two days and resume normal activities within a week.
- Avoid rubbing the eyes for at least one month
- No swimming, hot tubs, lakes, or ocean water for at least two weeks
- Avoid eye makeup for one week
- Avoid heavy lifting for approximately one week
- Avoid contact sports for two to four weeks and use protective eyewear afterward
- Wear the provided eye shields while sleeping for one week to protect the healing cornea
- Do not drive until your LASIK Surgeon confirms your vision meets legal driving standards
Non-contact exercise can typically resume within two to three days, and most patients are pleasantly surprised at how quickly they feel back to normal.
Once your eyes have fully healed, daily vision correction is simply no longer something you think about. You can wake up and see clearly, swim without worrying about losing a lens, and play sports without glasses fogging up or contacts drying out.
Travel becomes lighter without lens solution, spare contacts, and a glasses case packed alongside everything else. The accumulated time saved from skipping the daily insertion and removal routine also adds up meaningfully over years. For many patients, this effortless, maintenance-free vision is the most valued outcome of the surgery.
Even when LASIK is a safe option, contacts remain the preferred choice for some people. Patients who are not ready for a permanent change, whose prescription is still shifting, or who enjoy the flexibility of colored or cosmetic lenses may find contacts a better fit for their life right now.
Contacts also work well for people who only need vision correction occasionally, such as for driving or watching films, and who are otherwise comfortable going without correction during the day. A thoughtful conversation about your personal priorities can help clarify which direction makes the most sense for you.
What to Expect Before, During, and After LASIK
Knowing what each step of the LASIK process looks like helps set accurate expectations and reduces anxiety. From your first evaluation through your one-year follow-up, each phase plays an important role in a successful outcome.
The LASIK process begins with a comprehensive evaluation that typically takes one to two hours. Plan a contact lens holiday before this visit so your corneal measurements reflect your eye's true, natural shape. Soft lenses are typically discontinued at least one week before; toric or extended-wear lenses often require two weeks; and rigid gas permeable or orthokeratology lenses may need two to four weeks or longer depending on your wearing history.
During this visit, your LASIK Surgeon will measure your prescription, assess corneal thickness and shape with advanced mapping, evaluate corneal biomechanics and tomography, assess tear film stability, and identify any conditions such as dry eye or eyelid inflammation that should be treated first. This is also your best opportunity to ask every question you have before committing to surgery.
The procedure itself is brief, typically around 10 to 15 minutes per eye. Numbing drops are used so there is no pain, though you may feel mild pressure when the corneal flap is created. The flap is most commonly created with a femtosecond laser. A suction ring holds your eye still for several seconds, which can briefly dim your vision, and an eyelid holder prevents blinking.
You will be asked to focus on a fixed light while the laser reshapes the cornea, a process that takes less than a minute per eye. Mild oral sedation may be offered if helpful. Vision is blurry immediately after surgery, but many patients notice meaningful improvement within a few hours. A driver is required, and resting with eyes closed for the remainder of the day is strongly recommended.
The first two days are the most critical for healing. Expect your eyes to feel gritty, watery, and sensitive to light as the corneal flap settles and healing begins.
- Use prescribed antibiotic and steroid drops exactly as directed
- Wear protective shields while sleeping to avoid accidental rubbing
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to manage light sensitivity
- Limit screen time and extended reading to reduce eye strain
- Do not touch or rub the eyes, even if they itch
- If the eye is accidentally bumped or rubbed, place the shield and contact our office promptly
Most patients see well enough to drive and return to work within a few days, but vision continues to improve over the weeks ahead. Halos, light sensitivity, and dryness typically begin to ease by the end of the first week.
Full corneal stabilization usually takes three to six months, and slight day-to-day fluctuations during this period are normal. In appropriately selected patients, more than 95 percent achieve 20/40 vision or better, and many reach 20/20 or better, though individual results vary. A small number of patients may benefit from an enhancement procedure, which is considered only after the prescription and ocular surface have been stable for several months.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled at key intervals to monitor healing and catch any concerns early. Your first post-operative visit is typically the day after surgery, followed by visits at approximately one week, one month, three months, and six months. A twelve-month visit may also be scheduled.
While recovery is usually smooth, certain symptoms require prompt attention and should not be waited out until a scheduled appointment.
- Severe pain that does not ease with over-the-counter pain relievers
- Sudden loss of vision or a significant decrease in vision
- Marked increase in redness or discharge from the eye
- New flashes of light or sudden floaters
- A sudden shift in vision after rubbing or trauma to the eye
- Severe light sensitivity combined with decreased vision
- Any foreign body striking the eye requires immediate shielding and a call to our office
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the questions patients most often raise after their initial research, including guidance on timing, expectations, and when to act quickly.
Yes, LASIK can correct astigmatism, which is caused by an irregular corneal curve, along with nearsightedness or farsightedness. Most patients with astigmatism within the treatable range achieve excellent results. If your degree of astigmatism is outside what LASIK can safely address, your LASIK Surgeon will discuss whether PRK, SMILE, or another option is a better fit.
If you are in your mid-forties or older, LASIK corrects your distance vision but does not stop the natural age-related loss of near focus, called presbyopia. Reading glasses may still be needed for close-up tasks such as menus, labels, and phones. Monovision LASIK, where one eye targets distance and the other near, can reduce dependence on readers for some patients, but a contact lens trial to simulate monovision is recommended before committing to this approach permanently, since not everyone adapts comfortably to the difference between the eyes.
The corneal reshaping from LASIK is permanent, meaning the tissue removed does not grow back. That said, your eyes can continue to change over time due to aging, and some patients develop a new prescription years or decades later. Many patients enjoy clear unaided vision for decades, while others may eventually want glasses for specific tasks or qualify for a touch-up enhancement if their corneas have sufficient remaining thickness. Your LASIK Surgeon will monitor long-term stability at follow-up visits and advise if an enhancement becomes a consideration.
If your prescription shifts meaningfully after LASIK, you have practical options. Glasses or contact lenses work just as well after LASIK as they would have before, though contact lens fitting may be more involved since the corneal shape is now different and may require specialty lenses. An enhancement procedure may also be an option if your cornea has adequate remaining thickness and your overall eye health supports it. A formal evaluation at that time will determine which path is safest and most effective.
The procedure itself is not painful. Numbing drops are applied before surgery and keep your eyes comfortable throughout. You may feel mild pressure or an awareness of the suction ring during flap creation, but pain during the laser itself is not typical. After the numbing wears off over the first few hours, the eyes may feel scratchy, gritty, or mildly irritated. This discomfort is generally short-lived and responds well to lubricating drops and rest. Significant or worsening pain after the numbing resolves is not expected and should be reported to our office promptly.
Yes, wearing contact lenses after LASIK is possible, whether for cosmetic reasons such as colored lenses or if a new prescription develops later in life. However, because your cornea is now a different shape, standard contact lens fittings may not work as well, and specialty or custom-fit lenses are often needed. Your LASIK Surgeon or eye care team can guide you through this process if and when it becomes relevant.
Take the Next Step Toward Clearer Vision
If you are weighing LASIK against a lifetime of contact lenses, the best starting point is a thorough evaluation with an experienced team. At NewView Eye Center, our LASIK Surgeons bring deep expertise in refractive surgery and a genuine commitment to personalized care for every patient across Northern Virginia. We would be glad to answer your questions, walk you through your candidacy, and help you decide with full confidence.
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