Getting laser eye surgery starts with finding out whether you’re a good candidate, then choosing a procedure type, booking a consultation, and preparing for surgery day. The entire process from first appointment to clear vision typically spans a few weeks, and the surgery itself takes under 30 minutes. Here’s what each step looks like in practice.
Check Whether You’re a Candidate
Before anything else, you need to meet a few basic requirements. You must be at least 21 years old, and your eyeglass or contact lens prescription needs to have been stable for at least one year. Laser eye surgery corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but very high prescriptions or thin corneas can disqualify some people. Certain conditions also rule you out: autoimmune diseases that slow healing, a history of eye infections or injuries, and pregnancy or nursing (which can temporarily shift your prescription).
If you wear contact lenses, keep in mind that they subtly reshape your cornea over time. You’ll need to stop wearing soft contacts at least one to two weeks before your consultation so your eyes return to their natural shape and the surgeon can get accurate measurements. Rigid gas-permeable lenses require a much longer break: roughly four weeks for every decade you’ve worn them. Your doctor may ask you to switch to glasses even earlier if there are signs of corneal warpage.
Choose a Procedure Type
Three main types of laser eye surgery are widely available, and which one suits you depends on your corneal thickness, prescription, and lifestyle.
- LASIK is the most common. The surgeon creates a thin flap in the outer layer of your cornea, folds it back, then uses a laser to reshape the tissue underneath. The flap is repositioned afterward, and it heals on its own. Recovery is fast, with most people seeing clearly within a day or two.
- PRK skips the flap entirely. Instead, the surgeon removes the outer layer of the cornea (it grows back naturally) and reshapes the tissue with the same type of laser used in LASIK. PRK is often recommended for people with thinner corneas or those in contact sports where a flap could be dislodged. The tradeoff is a longer, more uncomfortable recovery period.
- SMILE uses a different approach altogether. A laser cuts a small disc of tissue inside the cornea, and the surgeon removes it through a tiny incision. No flap is created and no surface tissue is removed. SMILE currently treats nearsightedness and astigmatism but isn’t yet approved for farsightedness in most countries.
Your surgeon will recommend a procedure based on your eye measurements, but it’s worth understanding the differences so you can ask informed questions at your consultation.
What Happens at the Consultation
The consultation is part eye exam, part screening process. Expect it to take one to two hours. The clinic will run several scans that map the curvature, shape, and thickness of your cornea in detail. Additional tests measure the overall dimensions of your eyeball and the size of your pupil, which affects how you see in low light. Your doctor will also check for dry eye, measure your prescription, and dilate your pupils to examine the back of your eye.
All of this data determines whether your cornea has enough tissue to reshape safely and which procedure will give you the best outcome. If you’re not a candidate for one type, you may still qualify for another. Some clinics offer a free initial screening and charge only if you proceed to surgery.
What Surgery Day Looks Like
The actual procedure is surprisingly quick. LASIK surgery is usually completed in 30 minutes or less for both eyes. You’ll be awake the entire time, lying back in a reclining chair under the laser. Numbing eye drops eliminate pain, though you’ll feel some pressure when the surgeon positions the instrument on your eye. You’ll be asked to stare at a fixed light, and the laser does its work in under a minute per eye. If you can’t hold your gaze steady on a fixed point for at least 60 seconds, this type of surgery may not be right for you.
You’ll need someone to drive you home. Most people notice an immediate improvement in vision, though everything looks hazy for the first several hours. Plan to go home and sleep, which is the easiest way to get through the initial discomfort.
Recovery and Activity Restrictions
LASIK recovery is faster than most people expect. Vision continues to sharpen over the first 24 to 48 hours, and many people return to work within a day or two. You’ll use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for the first week or so, and artificial tears to manage dryness.
Specific activities come with specific timelines. Eye makeup, including mascara and eyeliner, should wait at least one week. Heavy lifting and intense workouts are safe to resume after one to two weeks. Swimming pools are also off-limits for one to two weeks, and you should use goggles when you do return to the water. Your surgeon will give you a personalized schedule, but these are the general benchmarks.
PRK recovery takes longer. Because the outer corneal layer needs to regrow, you may experience discomfort and blurry vision for several days, and full visual stabilization can take a few weeks to a couple of months.
Success Rates and Realistic Expectations
Laser eye surgery has high satisfaction rates, but it’s not guaranteed to give you perfect vision. According to a large review published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 99 percent of LASIK patients achieve better than 20/40 vision (the threshold for driving without glasses in most states), and more than 90 percent achieve 20/20 or better. About 3 to 10 percent of patients, particularly those with high prescriptions, need a touch-up procedure within two years.
It’s also worth understanding the side effects. An FDA quality-of-life study found that up to 46 percent of participants who had no visual symptoms before surgery reported at least one new symptom three months afterward. Up to 40 percent of people who never had halos before LASIK developed them, and up to 28 percent reported new dry eye symptoms. For many people these symptoms are mild and fade over time, but for some they persist. Dry eye and night-vision disturbances like halos and glare are the most commonly reported long-term complaints.
Costs and How to Pay
LASIK typically costs between $1,500 and $3,500 per eye. Most clinics bundle the consultation, the procedure itself, and follow-up appointments into a single price. Medications prescribed after surgery and any enhancement (touch-up) procedures are rarely included in that flat fee, so ask about these costs upfront.
Insurance almost never covers laser eye surgery because it’s considered elective, but many vision plans offer discounts. The most practical way to reduce your out-of-pocket cost is through a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). The IRS classifies LASIK, PRK, and SMILE as eligible expenses for both account types. If you have an FSA, plan ahead: those funds expire at the end of the year or have a limited rollover, so timing your surgery to align with your benefits cycle can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Many clinics also offer interest-free financing plans that spread the cost over 12 to 24 months.
How to Pick a Surgeon
Not all laser eye surgery centers are equal. Look for a surgeon who is board-certified in ophthalmology and specializes in refractive surgery, not just general eye care. Ask how many procedures they’ve performed and what technology they use. Newer laser platforms offer better tracking and more precise corrections than older systems.
Be cautious of prices that seem dramatically lower than average. Advertised rates of $299 or $499 per eye often apply only to very mild prescriptions and exclude the pre-operative workup, follow-up care, or enhancements. Ask for the all-inclusive price for your specific prescription before comparing clinics. A good consultation should feel thorough and unhurried, with the surgeon explaining your options honestly, including the possibility that you’re not a good candidate.