Five ways to correct your vision. One is right for your eyes.
Most people arrive asking about LASIK, but LASIK is only one of five procedures. The best option depends on your age, your prescription, and the health of your eyes. Here is how they compare, in plain language, with honest pricing.
- Under 40: usually LASIK, SMILE, PRK, or EVO ICL
- Over 40: usually Refractive Lens Exchange
- Thin corneas or high prescription change the answer
- A consultation confirms the right fit
The five options, compared.
| Procedure | Best for | How it works | Recovery | Reversible | From (per eye) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK | Most adults under 40 with a stable prescription and healthy corneas | A laser reshapes the cornea under a thin flap | Back to work next day | No | $2,595 per eye |
| SMILE | Nearsighted patients, especially with dry eyes or active lifestyles | A flapless laser removes tissue through a small opening | Back to work next day | No | $2,595 per eye |
| PRK | Thinner corneas, athletes, military, and first responders | A laser reshapes the corneal surface, no flap | Several days | No | $2,595 per eye |
| EVO ICL | Higher prescriptions and corneas too thin for laser | An implantable lens is placed inside the eye, no tissue removed | Back to work next day | Yes | Standard $4,595 · Toric $4,995 per eye |
| Refractive Lens Exchange | Patients over 40 who want to stop using reading glasses | The natural lens is replaced with a premium lens implant | 24 to 48 hours | No (permanent) | Monofocal $4,645 · Multifocal $5,395 · Light Adjustable Lens $6,895 per eye |
If a cataract has already formed, the answer is cataract surgery, the same lens-replacement procedure, usually covered by insurance.
Laser procedures and lens procedures are priced differently, and it is worth knowing why before your consultation.
Laser vision correction (LASIK, SMILE, PRK) starts at $2,595 per eye. Lens-based procedures (EVO ICL and Refractive Lens Exchange) cost more, $4,595 to $6,895 per eye depending on the lens you choose, because they use a premium lens implant. That is not an upsell. For many patients over 40, laser correction would not last, because the natural lens keeps changing and a cataract eventually forms, so a lens-based procedure is the better long-term value even though it costs more up front. Your surgeon will tell you honestly which category your eyes fall into. 0% financing for 24 months is available either way.
Start from where you are.
Questions, answered.
Which vision correction is best?
There is no single best procedure, only the best one for your eyes. Age, prescription, and corneal thickness decide it. Under 40 usually points to laser correction or an EVO ICL; over 40 usually points to Refractive Lens Exchange.
Why is LASIK cheaper than RLE or ICL?
Laser procedures reshape the cornea, while lens procedures use a premium implant that costs more. For patients over 40, the lens procedure is often the better long-term value because laser correction would not last.
What if I was told I am not a LASIK candidate?
You likely still have options. Thin corneas often suit PRK or an EVO ICL, and higher prescriptions suit the ICL. Age-related changes point to lens-based correction. A consultation sorts it out.
Are all of the procedures performed at FEI?
Yes. Filutowski Eye Institute performs all five refractive procedures plus cataract surgery, so the recommendation is based on your eyes, not on the one procedure we happen to offer.
How do I find out which is right for me?
Start with the 60-second candidacy check, then a full consultation and exam confirm the fit and give you a transparent price.
Is financing available for all of them?
Yes. 0% financing for 24 months is available through CareCredit for every elective procedure, and HSA or FSA funds can be applied.
Not sure which one fits your eyes?
Take the 60-second candidacy check, or book a consultation and we will tell you honestly.