LASIK vs. Glasses and Contacts: A Long-Term Cost Comparison

How LASIK and Glasses Stack Up Against Each Other

LASIK surgery has the potential to restore your eyesight permanently, but many people are reluctant to proceed because of the upfront costs involved. However, over the long term, LASIK surgery is typically less expensive than wearing glasses or contacts.

Why is this the case? And what is the best option for you?

Why Short-Term Thinking Skews the Comparison

Many people default to glasses or contacts because they appear cheaper at the outset. A pair of glasses or a box of contacts feels manageable compared to the sticker shock of LASIK. That reaction is understandable, but it’s incomplete. Vision correction is not a one-time purchase unless you choose a surgical option. 

For example, glasses break, prescriptions change, contacts need constant replenishment, and eye exams are recurring. Over time, those smaller, repeated expenses add up in ways that are easy to overlook.

The Ongoing Cost of Glasses

Glasses are typically viewed as the most straightforward option. You buy frames, lenses, and update them as needed. For many people, this happens every one to two years. Costs vary widely depending on frames, lens materials, coatings, and prescription complexity. Even modest choices can add up when repeated over decades; for example, prescription changes, scratches, or lifestyle needs often trigger replacements sooner than expected.

In addition to glasses themselves, regular eye exams are required to keep prescriptions current. While exams are necessary regardless of the correction method, glasses users often feel more pressure to update lenses frequently to maintain clarity. Over a lifetime, glasses represent a steady, recurring expense rather than a single financial decision.

Contact Lenses: Convenience With Compounding Costs

Contact lenses often feel like a flexible middle ground. They offer visual freedom without surgery and can be worn full-time or occasionally. The financial reality, however, is more demanding. Contacts require ongoing purchases of lenses, cleaning solutions, and replacement cases. Depending on the type worn, these costs repeat monthly or quarterly. Over years, even conservative spending adds up significantly.

Eye exams for contact wearers are typically more frequent and more specialized than exams for glasses alone. These additional costs are often overlooked when budgeting for contacts. Contacts also carry indirect costs. Lost lenses, damaged supplies, and periods of discomfort can lead to unplanned replacements or switching between brands. These small disruptions contribute to a higher lifetime cost than many people anticipate.

LASIK’s Upfront Cost Versus Long-Term Stability

LASIK stands apart because it concentrates most of its cost upfront. The procedure requires a significant initial investment, which can make it feel expensive compared to other options. However, once the procedure is complete and healing is finished, ongoing costs drop sharply. Many LASIK patients no longer need prescription glasses or contacts for daily activities. And although some may still use glasses occasionally or need enhancements later in life, the frequency and cost are often much lower. From a long-term perspective, LASIK replaces decades of recurring expenses with a single, predictable cost.

How Time Changes the Math

The true comparison emerges over time. Glasses and contacts distribute costs gradually, which feels easier in the moment but becomes substantial when viewed over 10, 20, or 30 years. LASIK, in contrast, front-loads cost but minimizes ongoing spending. For individuals who would otherwise rely on contacts or regularly updated glasses, the cumulative cost of non-surgical options can eventually exceed the cost of LASIK.

Predictability Versus Flexibility

Cost is not just about totals, of course – it’s also about predictability. LASIK offers a straightforward financial framework, and once the procedure is paid for, there are few surprises. Glasses and contacts offer flexibility but less predictability as prices change, prescriptions evolve, and lifestyle needs shift. These variables make long-term budgeting harder, even if individual purchases feel manageable.

Hidden Costs People Rarely Calculate

Many cost comparisons overlook indirect expenses. Time spent ordering contacts, scheduling replacements, cleaning lenses, or dealing with discomfort has value, even if it’s not reflected on a receipt. Additionally, glasses users may keep multiple pairs for work, driving, or backups, increasing total spend. Contact wearers may switch products due to dryness or sensitivity, often at higher cost. LASIK eliminates many of these recurring inconveniences, which contributes to its perceived value beyond simple dollars.

Looking Beyond the Price Tag

The best vision correction choice is one that balances cost, lifestyle, and comfort over time. Focusing only on initial expense often leads to decisions that feel affordable now but costly later. When evaluated as a long-term investment rather than a one-time purchase, LASIK, glasses, and contacts each reveal their true financial profiles. 

Understanding those profiles allows you to choose not just what fits your budget today, but what aligns with how you want to live for years to come.