Latent question: “Will LASIK really change my daily life or is it just another procedure?” Short answer: for most people who are candidates, life after LASIK is less about “medical details” and more about everyday freedom – waking up and seeing the clock, working out without lenses sliding around, traveling light, and ditching the hassles you didn’t realize were draining your daily energy.
The lifestyle upgrades most people notice first
Mornings are instant: you open your eyes, and you can see. No more feeling around for glasses or putting in lenses before you’re awake.
Work & workouts feel simpler: screens, meetings, classes at 6 a.m., or a late-night gym session-no lens dryness curveball.
Travel is lighter: fewer items to pack (solution, backups, lens cases, extra glasses).
Confidence bump: many people just like being the person who isn’t managing gear on their face every day. Most patients get back to normal routines quickly (often the next day), though individual guidance varies and PRK recovery is slower. Visual fluctuations, night halos or dryness can linger during the stabilization phase.
Patient Education! (the small print you’ll actually care about)
Healing is a process: vision typically stabilizes over 3-6 months. You’ll have several check-ins to make sure healing stays on track. If you choose to let us help you with your vision, you get 1 year of included post-op care!
Reading glasses later in life: LASIK won’t stop normal age-related near-vision changes (presbyopia). Many people still need readers down the road.
Some people still wear glasses/contacts for certain tasks: Not everyone ends up 20/20 without correction; enhancements are sometimes discussed after your vision stabilizes.
Why patients choose us, GSNVI (La Jolla)
At Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute (GSNVI), LASIK pricing reflects the technology, your talented surgeon, your prescription, and your medical needs; the U.S. average is about $2,600 per eye (so ~$5,200 for both eyes), and financing options are available.
The money math: LASIK vs. contacts and glasses
People often ask, “Does LASIK pay for itself?” Below are conservative ranges to help you compare 5-year and 10-year totals. Included is the typical cost of one year supply of contacts and one pair of glasses every two years (as recommended by the California Board of Optometry).
What contacts cost (typical U.S. retail ranges)
Spherical daily disposables: around $700/year for lenses.
Toric daily disposables (for astigmatism): around $880/year for lenses.
Multifocal daily disposables (for presbyopia): around $950/year for lenses.
Monthly spherical users: about $230/year for lenses + cleaning solution $100– $200/year (needed for re-usable lenses).
What glasses cost
A “typical” complete pair often totals about $350 without insurance (frames + lenses), though there’s a wide range depending on lenses and brands. We’ll use $350 every two years for comparisons.
LASIK reference point
LASIK (both eyes): ~$5,200 ($2,600/eye national average)
*Our current PROMO – $400 OFF LASIK*
5-year and 10-year comparisons
To make this simple, I combined: (contacts each year) + (one pair of glasses every 2 years)
5-Year Total Cost (contacts + glasses):
| Type | Type 5-Year Total (Contacts + Glasses) | LASIK (One-Time) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spherical daily disposables | $4,390 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Approaches LASIK by ~5–6 years |
| Toric daily disposables | $5,280 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Breakeven ≈ 5 years |
| Multifocal daily disposables | $5,610 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Breakeven ≈ 5 years |
| Monthly spherical (lenses + solution) | $2,780 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Cheaper in 5 years; LASIK value grows longer-term |
10-Year Total Cost (contacts + glasses)
| Type | 10-Year Total Cost (contacts + glasses) | LASIK (One-Time) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spherical daily disposables | $8,780 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Saves ≈ $3,580 by year 10 |
| Toric daily disposables | $10,560 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Saves ≈ $5,360 by year 10 |
| Multifocal daily disposables | $11,220 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Saves ≈ $6,020 by year 10 |
| Monthly spherical (lenses + solution) | $5,560 | $5,200 (with our promo) | Near breakeven by year 10 (brand/solution costs sway this) |
What this means: If you wear daily toric or daily multifocal contacts, LASIK often “catches up” in ~5 years and can deliver large savings by 10 years. If you wear monthly spherical lenses, the breakeven tends to be closer to the 10-year mark (because monthly lenses + solution are cheaper than dailies).
What daily life looks like once you’re healed
Work and daily life: no lens dryness surprise at 4 p.m.
Fitness & outdoor life: running, pickleball, swimming-it all feels simpler without
juggling lenses.
Parenting & night shifts: middle-of-the-night clarity.
Travel: fewer liquids/cases, no last-minute “I forgot my lenses.”
And because we’re being real: during the first few months, your eyes may feel dry, night halos may come and go, and your vision can fluctuate as it stabilizes – that’s normal and part of the plan your surgeon reviews with you.
Bottom line
LASIK isn’t “just another procedure.” For the right candidates, it’s a lifestyle upgrade that shows up every single day – in small moments and in your budget over time. If you want a clear, personalized picture, our team at GSNVI (La Jolla) can check your candidacy, discuss technology options, and walk through financing if you want to spread out payments.