Eye Society

LASIK vs. contacts: Which option is right for you?

Apr 22, 2025

The idea of zapping your eyeballs with a laser may make you feel like you just stepped onto a sci-fi movie set — well, the future is here, and you’re invited. Still, contact lenses have a loyal fan club. (Let’s call them the “I Don’t Want Lasers Near My Eyes, Thank You Very Much” gang.) Confused about which camp to join?

Below, we cut through the confusion and give you a side-by-side of LASIK vs. contacts that covers the biggies, including duration, surgery, cost, recovery time, and risks.

Quick comparison at a glance

Let’s zip through a lightning-round comparison of LASIK versus contacts:

Duration: LASIK can be permanent (though your eyes can still change over time), while contact lenses are a day-to-day or month-to-month commitment.
Surgery: LASIK is a brief surgical procedure, whereas traditional contact lenses require zero scalpels or lasers — just a little practice putting them in. (No, you don’t have to touch your eyeball directly, but you’ll get really close.)
Cost: With LASIK, you generally pay one big bill and then (hopefully) enjoy years of sharper sight. Contacts can spread out the cost over time but add up in the long run.
Recovery time: LASIK recovery can be quick, while contact lenses might require a short adjustment period until you’re comfortable wearing them.
Risks: Both have risks. LASIK may involve surgical complications (though rare), and wearing or inserting contact lenses incorrectly can lead to infection or irritation.

If you’ve ever wished for permanently inserted superhero lenses (minus the cape), implantable contact lenses (ICLs) might be on your radar. Unlike traditional pop-’em-in-each-morning contacts, ICLs are surgically placed inside your eye behind the iris. They don’t turn you into a cyborg with laser beams you can fire from your eyes — we're still waiting on that — but it’s sort of close.

Let’s break down these three options in more detail:

LASIK: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis — aka the quickest way to feel like you’re living in a futuristic novel — involves a surgeon using a laser to reshape your cornea so light focuses more precisely on your retina. LASIK is often ideal for people with moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (with certain limits).
Contacts: The small, flexible lenses we know and (sometimes) love. You place them on the surface of your eye to correct vision. They’re available in daily, biweekly, or monthly options, plus fancy versions for astigmatism or multifocal needs. Most folks adapt to contacts fairly easily, but dryness and irritation can be a thing.
ICLs: A surgical procedure that plants a lens inside the eye. It’s typically an option for people with thin corneas or prescriptions too high for LASIK. The cost is higher, but some people swear by it as a sweet middle ground between regular contacts and LASIK.

Implantable contact lens vs. LASIK

Before starting your epic quest for perfect vision, let’s look at how implantable contact lenses vs. LASIK stack up. Both involve a surgeon tinkering with your eye, but there are clear differences to keep in mind.

Benefits

Let’s start with the good stuff, shall we?

Long-term vision improvement: LASIK and ICLs offer a type of “set it and forget it” convenience. After a successful procedure, many people can toss their glasses. (Some do it theatrically, but that’s optional.)
Ideal for high prescriptions (especially ICLs): If you’ve been told your prescription is off the charts (like, “Whoa, you’re in the double digits!”), ICLs can often handle a higher range than LASIK.
Less daily hassle than regular contacts: You no longer have to fumble with lens cases or cleaning solutions. (Sure, you still need to maintain healthy habits, but it’s definitely fewer steps than daily lens insertion.)
Quality of vision: Many people report crisp, stable vision with both LASIK and ICLs — great news if you’d rather not rely on your memory to find your glasses on the nightstand.

Risks and concerns

Of course, with great eye freedom comes great responsibility (and some disclaimers):

Surgical side effects: Dry eyes, glare, halos, or infection can happen with both procedures — though they’re relatively uncommon. Remember: Your eyes are delicate real estate, so always follow an eye care professional's guidance.
Recovery time: LASIK typically offers a speedy recovery, while ICLs might have a slightly longer rest period. In either case, your short-term task is basically to not rub your eyes like you’re searching for a genie.
Cost: LASIK and ICLs can be pricey. Insurance may not cover elective surgeries, so check your plan (and your piggy bank).
Not for everyone: If you have certain eye health issues — like severe dry eye or thin corneas — your eye care professional might steer you away from these procedures.

When in doubt, schedule a consultation.

LASIK

All right, let’s get down to brass tacks when it comes to the OG laser eye surgery. LASIK is done by reshaping the cornea with a laser. It’s often described as painless because of numbing drops, but the idea of a laser dancing around your eyeballs can be nerve-racking. Recovery is typically quick, and many people notice significantly improved vision soon after. Below, we break down the info in detail so you can decide if it’s right for you.

LASIK advantages

Ever dream of waking up and seeing the alarm clock without squinting? Let’s spotlight all the reasons LASIK might be your personal vision fairy godmother.

Long-lasting results: For many, a single surgery can provide clear vision for years or even decades. (It’s like the gift that keeps on giving — except instead of fruitcake, you get better eyesight.)
Fast recovery time: Most people feel comfortable within a few days, and you’re usually back to normal activities pretty quickly.
Convenient lifestyle: No more rummaging for lost glasses in the morning, and no more nightly contact lens routine. (Yes, you can now spontaneously fall asleep watching Netflix without worrying about dried-out contacts.)
Proven track record: LASIK has been around for decades, and improved technology means higher accuracy and safety.

Disadvantages of LASIK

Of course, every fairy tale has a few dragons to slay — so before you say “I do” to laser correction, here are some considerations worth keeping on your radar.

Cost: LASIK can be a one-time chunk of change (often in the thousands) unless you seek out a payment plan. The price tag might make you gulp, but some folks see it as an investment.
Potential side effects: Dry eyes, glare, halos, or difficulty seeing at night can occur. Usually, these issues improve over time, but in rare cases, they can be persistent.
Not fully reversible: Unlike contact lenses you can simply remove, LASIK is permanent. That also means if you love your eyeglasses as a fashion statement, you might end up wearing them with clear lenses.
Changes in vision over time: Even if LASIK works like a charm at first, your vision can still change as you age. A small percentage of people need enhancement surgery down the road.

Why do doctors not recommend LASIK?

Some eye care professionals might shy away from recommending LASIK if a patient has:

Very thin corneas that are too risky to reshape
Chronically dry eyes that might worsen post-surgery
Certain autoimmune conditions or unstable prescriptions

Basically, eye care professionals want to avoid creating bigger eye issues than you started with, so if they say “no go,” there’s probably a reason. They might point you toward implantable contact lenses or just recommend you keep rocking your regular contacts.

Who isn't a candidate for LASIK?

You aren’t a candidate for LASIK if you have:

An unstable prescription: If your vision still changes year to year, wait until things level out.
An eye condition: Severe dry eye, corneal diseases, or advanced glaucoma might disqualify you.
A bun in the oven: Hormonal changes can temporarily affect your vision (and your corneal thickness).
Less than 18-21 years of life under your belt: Eye care professionals often wait for full ocular maturity before green-lighting LASIK.

At what age is LASIK not worth it?

There’s no hard “LASIK expiration date,” but it may lose its appeal if age-related issues like cataracts or presbyopia lurk around the corner. Many people consider it less practical once they’re in their 60s or 70s, especially if cataract surgery might be needed soon (which can also correct vision). Always get a professional evaluation to see if you can benefit long term.

What prescription is too high for LASIK?

If you’re sporting a super-strong prescription — think -10.00 diopters or higher — LASIK might not give you the results you want, or it might be riskier due to how much cornea needs reshaping. This is where implantable contact lenses vs. LASIK can become an important consideration. ICLs sometimes handle those high prescriptions more elegantly.

Does astigmatism disqualify you from LASIK?

Mild to moderate astigmatism can often be corrected by modern LASIK techniques. However, severe or irregular astigmatism might call for other solutions, such as specialized contacts or implantable lenses. Your eye care professional will measure your corneas to see if you’re a good fit.

Is LASIK safer than contacts?

So, it all boils down to one-million-dollar question. Is LASIK safer than contacts? Well, that depends on your habits and your eyeballs. LASIK involves surgical risks, but for healthy folks, the overall risk is low. Meanwhile, contact lenses have their own pitfalls, like improper cleaning leading to infections or extended wear that deprives your eyes of oxygen.

If you’re diligent about contact lens hygiene — washing your hands, using fresh solution, not overwearing them, and sticking to the guidance in the leaflet — the risks are quite small.

On the other hand, if you’re the type who sleeps in your lenses for 2 weeks straight and thinks cleaning solution is “magic water,” your risk of infection skyrockets. In that case, a one-and-done LASIK procedure might actually be safer for your future eye health.

Contact lenses

Now for a closer look at contact lenses. You slip them onto your cornea each day (or each week/month, depending on the type), and voilà — you can see clearly without having to juggle frames on your face. They’re popular for a reason (or several reasons. Namely, they’re comfortable, convenient, and (occasionally) even stylish (hello, colored contacts!). But do they beat LASIK?

Contacts work by bending light to compensate for your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Modern lenses are made of breathable materials that help oxygen reach your eyes.

Still, they require you to follow the correct schedule, clean them properly, store them as they should be stored, and practice proper lens hygiene.

Advantages of lenses

Not feeling the whole cornea-resculpting thing? Contact lenses have been in the spotlight for ages, and here are the main reasons they're fan favorites:

No surgery required: If the thought of a laser near your eyeball freaks you out, contacts might be a no-brainer.
Lower upfront cost: Sure, the costs add up over time, but you don’t have to pony up thousands of dollars at once.
Freedom to switch: Not feeling contacts one day? Just throw on your glasses. No biggie. Plus, you can explore different colors and types.
Try before you buy: You can test a trial pair from your eye care professional to see if they’re comfortable and effective.

Disadvantages of contact lenses

Of course, no vision solution is without quirks. Before you commit to wrestling with tiny discs each morning, let’s chat about a few potential deal-breakers:

Daily maintenance: You have to clean, store, and replace them properly. Otherwise, say hello to irritation or infection.
Ongoing costs: Whether you’re using daily disposables or fancy toric lenses for astigmatism, the bills can pile up over the years.
Risk of infection: Having poor hygiene, overwearing, or exposing lenses to water when swimming or showering can lead to eye infections. (Acanthamoeba keratitis is no fun at all.)
Risk of slipping out: We’ve all experienced that panic that comes with a contact migrating to the back of your eyeball. (It usually doesn’t go far, but it’s never a good time.)

Are contacts safer than LASIK?

For many people, contacts are safer than LASIK, especially if you follow the rules. Because contacts don’t involve surgical modification of your cornea, you avoid those particular risks.

However, the daily risks from contact lens use (infection, scratches, dryness) are increased if you’re a bit too chill about lens care. In that sense, a successful LASIK procedure might be safer long term if it frees you from risky lens habits.

Ultimately, the safety question comes down to personal responsibility and your individual eye health. If you’re a champion lens cleaner and remover, contact lenses should be safe.

If you’re, let’s say, "relaxed" about cleanliness, talk to your eye care professional about laser surgery or consider daily disposables to reduce infection risks.

Contact lenses or LASIK?

So, which is it — contact lens or LASIK? The right choice depends on your priorities, budget, comfort with surgery, and how disciplined you are with contact lens hygiene.

If you’re leaning toward contact lenses — maybe you’re not quite ready to commit to laser beams or implantable lenses — 1-800 Contacts can help you find the exact brand your eye care professional prescribes. Just remember to keep things clean, follow your wearing schedule, and enjoy the perks of crisp, lens-free peripheral vision at the end of the day.

Did you know you can order contacts online?

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!