LASIK vs Contact Lenses: Which Actually Costs More Over Time?

The patient sitting across from me pulled a crumpled pharmacy receipt out of her purse and laughed. “I swear I only came in for contact solution.” Thirty minutes later, we had added up her yearly spending on daily lenses, backup glasses, eye drops, exam visits, and emergency lens runs during travel. The total? Just over $1,600 a year. That conversation comes up constantly when people compare LASIK vs contact lenses, because most folks only count the obvious costs and ignore the slow leak happening every month.

The $40-a-Month Habit That Quietly Turns Into Thousands

Here’s the thing. Contact lenses rarely feel expensive in the moment. A box here. Solution there. Maybe a rushed online reorder because you forgot your prescription expired. It’s kind of like streaming subscriptions — each charge feels harmless until you finally check the yearly total and wonder how things got so out of hand.

According to the American Optometric Association, the average contact lens wearer also needs regular eye exams and replacement products to safely maintain lens health. That matters more than people think because the recurring spending never really stops. Meanwhile, LASIK is usually a single upfront investment with predictable follow-ups afterward.

And yeah, the psychology behind that matters.

A $4,500 LASIK bill feels huge because you see it all at once. But spending $120 every few weeks on lenses, solution, lubricating drops, and replacement cases feels manageable even when the annual total ends up higher. Nine times out of ten, people emotionally underestimate recurring expenses.

I remember a software developer from Austin who wore Acuvue Oasys daily lenses for years. He traveled constantly, worked long screen-heavy days, and burned through preservative-free drops because his eyes felt dry every evening. During one follow-up visit, he admitted he had spent more on emergency airport lens purchases than he ever expected. Been there? A lot of contact lens wearers have.

Quick heads-up: this isn’t me saying LASIK is automatically the better option for everyone. Some people absolutely should stick with contacts for now. We’ll get to that later.

LASIK vs Contact Lenses: The Real 10-Year Cost Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers. Real ones.

Most LASIK procedures in the United States currently range from about $4,000 to $6,000 for both eyes, depending on technology, surgeon experience, and region. If you’ve already looked at this year’s pricing trends, the breakdown in this guide to LASIK surgery costs in 2026 lines up pretty closely with what patients are seeing nationwide.

Meanwhile, annual contact lens expenses stack up faster than expected.

Here’s a realistic long-term comparison for someone wearing premium daily disposable contacts:

Expense Category	Contact Lenses (10 Years)	LASIK (10 Years)
Contact lenses	$7,000–$9,000	$0
Lens solution & cases	$1,200–$1,800	Minimal
Eye exams	$1,500–$2,500	Follow-up visits included initially
Rewetting drops	$500–$1,200	Occasional use
Backup glasses	$600–$1,500	Possible reading glasses later
LASIK procedure	$0	$4,000–$6,000
Estimated Total	$10,800–$16,000	$4,500–$7,000

That spread surprises people every single week.

Now, fair enough — not everybody spends that much on contacts. Someone wearing monthly lenses from Costco and stretching replacement schedules might spend far less. But honestly? Stretching lens wear is exactly how many patients end up dealing with irritation, redness, or infections later.

Here’s what most people miss: convenience spending counts too.

Late-night pharmacy runs. Overnight shipping. Replacing lenses dropped into a sink drain before work. Tiny costs. Constantly repeated. Think of it like a slow drip under a kitchen sink — harmless at first, expensive once you realize it’s been running for years.

What Daily Contact Lens Wear Really Costs Year After Year

Daily disposable lenses are low-key one of the best things that ever happened for comfort and hygiene. They’re also expensive over time.

A typical wearer using premium daily contacts can easily spend:

• $70–$120 monthly on lenses
• $150–$250 yearly on exams
• $100+ yearly on drops and accessories
• Extra costs for prescription sunglasses or backups

That adds up quickly, especially for younger adults who may wear contacts for 20 years or more.

Okay, so here’s where it gets interesting. Younger patients often assume they should “wait” before considering LASIK because they’re still comfortable with contacts. Financially, though, waiting sometimes increases lifetime spending dramatically.

If you’re 25 and spending $1,200 yearly on contacts, you could spend well over $24,000 by age 45 without even noticing the creep.

That’s not exactly cheap.

The Hidden Costs Most Contact Lens Wearers Forget to Count

This part rarely gets discussed online because it’s harder to measure. But it matters.

Contact lenses can quietly create comfort-related spending habits:

• Artificial tears during screen-heavy workdays
• Blue-light glasses for tired eyes
• Humidifiers near desks
• Prescription sunglasses for outdoor dryness

Patients dealing with heavy screen exposure often end up researching tools like blue-light filtering eyewear or trying strategies for screen fatigue relief because long hours in contacts can make eye strain feel worse.

And no, contacts do not directly “cause” digital eye strain. But they absolutely can make dryness and irritation more noticeable during marathon computer sessions. That’s especially true for people working remotely full time. I’ve seen remote workers experiment with everything from optical wellness routines to upgraded desk humidifiers just to stay comfortable through a workday.

What nobody tells you is that comfort spending becomes normalized. People stop questioning it because it slowly becomes part of the routine.

Honestly? This part surprised even me early in my career.

I expected patients to focus mostly on visual freedom after LASIK. Instead, many talked about small daily annoyances disappearing. No more solution bottles leaking into carry-ons. No more waking up with dry lenses after falling asleep accidentally. No more panic when one contact tears before a meeting.

Those little frustrations don’t show up in comparison charts. But they absolutely affect how people feel about the LASIK vs contact lenses decision long term.

Why Some LASIK Patients Save Money Faster Than Expected

Spoiler: the savings timeline depends heavily on your current habits.

Patients wearing premium toric lenses for astigmatism usually hit the “break-even point” much faster than occasional contact wearers. If you’ve looked into LASIK for astigmatism safety, you already know specialized prescriptions often cost more to maintain with contacts.

That changes the math quickly.

A patient spending $1,800 yearly on specialty contacts may recover the cost of LASIK in just three to four years. Compare that with someone using inexpensive monthly lenses who may take closer to seven or eight years to break even financially.

And yeah, there’s another factor people ignore: inflation.

Contact lens prices almost never go down long term. Lens brands adjust pricing. Eye exam fees rise. Prescription drops get more expensive. Shipping costs climb. Meanwhile, LASIK patients already paid the largest expense upfront.

That’s one reason many financially minded patients start exploring LASIK financing options earlier than expected. Spreading payments across manageable monthly amounts can sometimes cost less than continuing premium contact lens routines indefinitely.

When LASIK Becomes Cheaper Than Contacts

Here’s the rough rule I give patients in clinic.

If you:

• Wear contacts daily
• Buy premium lenses
• Use frequent lubricating drops
• Replace glasses regularly
• Plan to continue for 10+ years

…LASIK often becomes the cheaper path eventually.

Simple? Mostly, yes.

But not instant.

Think of LASIK like buying a home instead of renting. The upfront commitment feels heavier. Over time, though, recurring costs may shift dramatically in your favor depending on how long you stay invested.

Sound familiar?

The Financing Trap That Can Make LASIK Feel More Expensive

Now for the part clinics sometimes gloss over.

Bad financing terms can completely change the equation.

A zero-interest financing plan? Solid option. A high-interest medical credit plan stretched over years? Totally different story. I’ve seen patients pay thousands extra simply because they focused on monthly payment size instead of total repayment cost.

Real talk: always calculate the total amount paid over time.

Not the monthly teaser number.

That’s especially important for younger patients comparing LASIK vs contact lenses while balancing student loans, rent, or childcare expenses. Financial flexibility matters. No procedure is worth creating unnecessary stress over.

The funny part is that once patients stop obsessing over the upfront LASIK price, the conversation usually shifts somewhere more personal: daily quality of life. That’s where the LASIK vs contact lenses debate gets way less predictable — and honestly, way more interesting.

A Side-by-Side Lifestyle Comparison Most Articles Skip

A lot of online comparisons reduce this decision to dollars alone. Fair enough. Money matters.

But daily friction matters too.

I’ve had patients who could comfortably afford contacts forever and still chose LASIK because they were simply tired of managing vision every single morning. Others tried LASIK consultations, realized contacts fit their lifestyle perfectly fine, and decided surgery was totally skippable for now.

Here’s the practical breakdown most people actually care about:

Lifestyle Factor	Contact Lenses	LASIK
Daily maintenance	Required	Minimal
Travel convenience	Moderate hassle	Easier
Dry eye risk	Common with long wear	Possible short-term dryness
Sports & swimming	Can be annoying	Usually easier
Upfront cost	Lower	Higher
Long-term cost	Ongoing	Usually lower over time
Prescription updates	Ongoing	May stabilize for years
Nighttime convenience	Remove before sleep	No routine needed

If you ask me, convenience is where LASIK quietly wins for many adults.

Not because contacts are bad. Modern lenses are honestly impressive. But after years of wearing them, tiny annoyances start stacking together like background noise you barely notice until it disappears.

One patient described it perfectly after surgery: “I didn’t realize how much mental space contacts were taking up.”

That stuck with me.

Travel, Sports, and Long Workdays: Where Contacts Get Annoying Fast

Travel exposes every weakness in contact lens routines.

Airport security. Dry airplane cabins. Forgetting extra lenses at hotels. Falling asleep accidentally during long flights. Suddenly your “simple” vision correction routine feels like carrying around a tiny maintenance kit everywhere you go.

And athletes? Same story.

Swimmers, runners, cyclists, and gym regulars constantly deal with shifting lenses, sweat irritation, or dry eyes from wind exposure. That’s one reason active patients often compare PRK vs LASIK procedures before choosing surgery, especially if contact lenses already feel irritating during exercise.

No, seriously. Even recreational athletes mention this constantly.

Then there’s screen-heavy work.

Developers, designers, accountants, remote workers — the usual suspects sitting in front of monitors 8 to 12 hours daily — often notice contact discomfort gets worse by late afternoon. Articles discussing remote work eye strain and screen-triggered dry eye symptoms connect pretty closely with what patients describe in clinic.

And yeah, that matters more than you’d think.

Dry Eyes, Screen Fatigue, and Comfort Issues Nobody Warns You About

Here’s where the LASIK vs contact lenses conversation gets nuanced.

Some people assume LASIK automatically “fixes” dry eyes. It doesn’t. In fact, temporary dryness after surgery is common during recovery. If you’ve already researched common LASIK side effects, you’ve probably seen dry eye symptoms listed near the top.

But long-term contact lens wear can also aggravate dryness over time. Especially in people already prone to irritation.

That creates a weird middle ground many articles ignore.

I’ve seen patients with chronic contact lens discomfort become dramatically happier after LASIK. I’ve also seen people with borderline dry eye syndrome realize surgery wasn’t the right move yet because their tear quality needed treatment first.

That’s why pre-operative evaluations matter so much.

Honestly, one of the smartest things patients can do before deciding on surgery is stabilize eye surface health first. Some end up improving symptoms through dry eye therapy strategies, better ocular lubrication routines, or treatments targeting tear production issues.

Quick heads-up: don’t assume eye irritation is “normal” just because you’ve worn contacts for years.

Redness every evening? Burning during computer work? Constant drops in your bag? Those are signs worth paying attention to.

LASIK vs Contact Lenses for People in Their 20s, 30s, and 40s

Age changes the math more than most people realize.

A 24-year-old wearing contacts daily faces decades of ongoing spending. A 42-year-old nearing reading-glasses age may calculate things very differently. Same procedure. Totally different financial picture.

Here’s the general pattern I see most often:

People in Their 20s

• Biggest long-term savings potential
• Usually strongest healing response
• Prescriptions may still fluctuate slightly

People in Their 30s

• Often the “sweet spot” financially and medically
• Stable prescriptions become more common
• Lifestyle convenience becomes a bigger priority

People in Their 40s

• Still strong LASIK candidates in many cases
• Reading vision changes start entering the conversation
• Contacts may remain useful for certain visual strategies

That last part surprises people.

Why Age Changes the Math More Than You Think

Here’s the thing nobody explains well enough: LASIK corrects distance vision, but it doesn’t stop normal aging of the eye.

Around the early-to-mid 40s, many adults develop presbyopia — the natural age-related decline in close-up focusing ability. You can read more about the condition through Wikipedia’s presbyopia overview, which does a solid job explaining the biology behind it.

So yes, someone may still need reading glasses later even after successful LASIK.

That doesn’t mean the procedure “failed.” It’s simply how human eyes age.

Think of it like replacing worn tires on a car. The new tires solve one problem beautifully, but they don’t stop the engine from aging normally over time.

Patients who understand this upfront tend to feel far happier long term.

The Presbyopia Factor After 40

This is where honest conversations matter.

Some clinics market LASIK almost like permanent superhuman vision. Real talk: that’s not how aging works. More often than not, patients over 40 eventually need some type of reading support regardless of prior surgery.

Now, does that automatically make contacts the better option after 40? Not necessarily.

Many patients still prefer LASIK because:

• They eliminate daily distance-contact routines
• Driving and outdoor activities become easier
• They only occasionally need lightweight reading glasses

That tradeoff feels totally worth it for plenty of adults.

What Nobody Tells You About “Lifetime” Contact Lens Spending

Contact lens companies quietly benefit from something called “subscription normalization.” Once recurring purchases become routine, people stop reevaluating the total cost.

It’s honestly kind of brilliant from a business perspective.

Patients normalize:

• Auto-shipped lens subscriptions
• Annual exam renewals
• Upgraded moisture technologies
• Specialty drops
• Backup glasses every few years

Individually? Reasonable.

Combined over decades? Kind of a big deal.

I once had a patient who had worn contacts since high school and never added up the lifetime total until his late 30s. The estimate landed somewhere near $30,000 including exams, premium lenses, dry-eye products, and replacement glasses.

His reaction was immediate: “Wait… seriously?”

Yep.

And before anyone says “but LASIK can need enhancements later,” that’s true too. Some patients eventually require touch-ups or prescription adjustments years later. But even factoring occasional enhancements into the equation, long-term spending still frequently favors surgery for heavy contact users.

Subscription Lens Plans vs Paying Out of Pocket

Subscription plans are convenient. No argument there.

But convenience sometimes hides price creep.

Here’s my recommendation:

1. Calculate your total annual spending manually
2. Include exams, drops, and backup glasses
3. Add emergency purchases and travel replacements
4. Compare that against LASIK financing totals
5. Estimate your spending over 10–15 years

That five-minute calculation changes people’s perspective fast.

And while you’re evaluating comfort-related spending, it’s worth looking into resources discussing best contact lenses for dry eyes because lens material quality can dramatically affect daily comfort — especially for heavy digital-device users.

Are Premium Daily Lenses Worth the Extra Cost?

Okay, so here’s my actual opinion after years of watching patients test everything from bargain lenses to top-tier dailies.

Premium daily lenses are often worth it for comfort.

Especially if you:

• Work long screen-heavy days
• Travel frequently
• Struggle with dryness
• Wear lenses 12+ hours daily

Cheap lenses can feel “good enough” initially but become exhausting over time, kind of like wearing stiff shoes that technically fit but slowly annoy you all day.

Still, there’s a catch.

The more premium your contact lens setup becomes, the stronger the financial argument for LASIK usually gets. That’s the irony many wearers eventually notice.

Patients spending heavily to make contacts tolerable often realize they’re funding an increasingly expensive maintenance cycle instead of solving the underlying frustration.

And that realization? That’s usually the moment people seriously reconsider the LASIK vs contact lenses debate.

By the time people reach this stage of the decision, they usually stop asking, “Is LASIK expensive?” and start asking something smarter: “What’s this choice going to feel like five or ten years from now?”

That’s the real question.

How to Calculate Your Own Long-Term Eye Care Costs

Most online calculators oversimplify the math. They compare basic contact lens spending against LASIK pricing and call it a day.

But real life doesn’t work like that.

You need to include the “side expenses” too — the little purchases that quietly become permanent parts of your routine. Think of it like grocery shopping while hungry. The main item isn’t the problem. It’s everything extra that accidentally falls into the cart.

Here’s a practical way to calculate your own numbers.

A Simple 5-Step LASIK Savings Formula

1. Add your yearly contact lens spending
   Include lenses, solutions, eye exams, replacement cases, and rewetting drops.
2. Include glasses and sunglasses
   Most contact wearers still buy prescription backup glasses every few years.
3. Estimate your next 10 years
   Multiply your yearly spending by 10, then add 15–20% for rising costs and inflation.
4. Compare against total LASIK costs
   Include consultation fees, medications, and financing interest if applicable.
5. Factor in lifestyle convenience
   Time savings count too. Especially if you travel, work long screen-heavy hours, or constantly reorder supplies.

Simple? Yes. But surprisingly effective.

And if you’re still researching procedure details, resources explaining LASIK recovery timelines can help you estimate downtime realistically before making a decision.

The Cases Where Contacts Still Make More Sense

Here’s where I push back against the “LASIK is always better” crowd.

Sometimes contacts are absolutely the smarter choice.

Patients with unstable prescriptions, certain autoimmune conditions, severe dry eye disease, thin corneas, or unrealistic expectations may not be good surgical candidates yet. In those cases, sticking with lenses while improving overall eye health is often the safer move.

And honestly? That’s okay.

I’ve told plenty of patients to wait.

A good refractive surgery consultation should occasionally end with “not right now.” If a clinic promises surgery for basically everyone who walks in the door, fair warning: that’s a red flag.

Here are situations where contacts may remain the solid option:

• Your prescription still changes yearly
• You only wear lenses occasionally
• Pregnancy or hormonal shifts are affecting vision stability
• Severe dry eye symptoms remain uncontrolled
• You’re uncomfortable with elective surgery risks

No shame in that decision at all.

In fact, some patients improve comfort dramatically just by upgrading lens materials or treating underlying irritation. Articles focused on eye irritation triggers and artificial tears for chronic dry eye can genuinely help contact lens users stay more comfortable long term.

Who Should Probably Wait Before Getting LASIK

Young adults are often surprised by this answer.

If your prescription changed significantly within the last 12 months, waiting usually makes sense. Surgery works best when vision has stabilized. Rushing into LASIK too early can increase the chance you’ll eventually need enhancements later.

Same goes for heavy dry-eye sufferers.

Patients sometimes assume surgery will magically eliminate irritation caused by contacts. But if your tear film already struggles, untreated dryness can make recovery tougher than expected. That’s why clinics increasingly evaluate tear production health before surgery even becomes an option.

And here’s another non-obvious point most guides skip: personality matters.

Some people simply hate the idea of surgery near their eyes. Others are completely unfazed. That emotional comfort level counts more than many clinics admit.

The Emotional Side of LASIK vs Contact Lenses

Money gets all the attention. But emotionally, the LASIK vs contact lenses decision is often about freedom.

Patients describe it in surprisingly personal ways:

• “I stopped thinking about my eyes constantly.”
• “Travel feels easier now.”
• “I can finally wake up and just see.”
• “Swimming stopped being annoying.”

Those comments come up constantly after successful procedures.

But here’s the flip side nobody likes talking about: LASIK can also create anxiety before surgery. That’s normal. Even confident patients often feel nervous leading up to the procedure day.

I once had a patient compare it to standing in line for a roller coaster. Rationally, you know it’s probably fine. Emotionally? Your brain still goes, “Wait… are we seriously doing this?”

That nervousness usually fades quickly once patients realize how fast modern procedures actually are. Many surgeries take under 15 minutes total for both eyes.

The “I Forgot My Contacts” Stress Most Wearers Know Too Well

Look, I get it.

If you’ve worn contacts for years, you probably have at least one horror story:

• Falling asleep without removing lenses
• Running out before vacation
• Losing one lens before an important meeting
• Accidentally packing expired solution
• Realizing your prescription expired at the worst possible moment

Been there, done that. Well, patients definitely have.

These aren’t medical disasters most of the time. They’re just mentally exhausting over years. Kind of like carrying an umbrella every day because it might rain eventually.

That ongoing maintenance fatigue is often what finally pushes long-term wearers toward surgery consultations.

LASIK Recovery Costs and Downtime: What to Expect

Here’s the part financially focused articles often oversimplify.

LASIK recovery usually isn’t “free” even after paying for surgery.

Patients may still need:

• Prescription eye drops
• Follow-up visits
• Artificial tears during healing
• One or two days off work
• Temporary transportation help immediately after surgery

Now, compared with decades of contact lens spending, these costs are usually minor. But they still matter when budgeting realistically.

Most people return to normal daily activities fairly quickly. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, many patients resume work within 24 to 48 hours depending on healing and job demands.

Still, healing isn’t identical for everyone.

Patients working intense screen-heavy jobs sometimes notice fluctuating dryness early during recovery. That’s especially common among people already dealing with heavy device use or researching smart vision technology habits and wearable eye health tools to manage digital strain.

Missed Work, Follow-Ups, and Medication Costs

Real talk: plan conservatively.

Even smooth recoveries benefit from a buffer day or two. Don’t schedule surgery the night before a huge presentation or cross-country trip. More often than not, patients appreciate giving themselves extra recovery flexibility.

Medication costs vary too.

Some clinics bundle everything into one upfront fee. Others separate medications, enhancements, or follow-up visits. Always ask for itemized pricing before signing anything.

That single step avoids a lot of frustration later.

How Insurance, HSAs, and FSAs Change the Equation

One thing many patients completely overlook? Tax advantages.

While most insurance plans classify LASIK as elective, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) often allow pre-tax dollars to be used toward surgery expenses.

That can reduce your effective cost significantly.

For higher earners especially, using pre-tax funds can make LASIK feel much more manageable financially compared with paying out of pocket month after month for contacts and related supplies.

And if you’re actively researching providers, comparison guides covering top LASIK clinics in the United States are worth reviewing carefully before booking consultations.

One more thing: don’t shop for LASIK like you’re buying discount headphones online.

Price matters. Surgeon experience matters more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LASIK cheaper than contact lenses long term?

Short answer: yes. But here’s the nuance. Daily contact lens wearers often spend between $1,000 and $1,800 yearly once you include exams, drops, glasses, and accessories. Over 10 to 20 years, LASIK frequently becomes the lower-cost option for heavy lens users. Occasional contact wearers, though, may not save money as quickly.

How long does it take LASIK to pay for itself?

Great question — and honestly, most people get this wrong. The “break-even” point usually lands somewhere between 3 and 8 years depending on how much you currently spend on contacts. Premium daily lenses and specialty prescriptions shorten that timeline dramatically. Budget monthly lenses may stretch it longer.

Can you still wear contacts after LASIK?

Yes, absolutely. Some patients still wear occasional cosmetic or specialty lenses afterward. Others may eventually use reading glasses or light corrective lenses later in life as vision naturally changes with age. LASIK doesn’t block future vision correction options.

Does LASIK permanently fix your eyesight?

Okay so this one depends on a few things. LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea, but your eyes still age naturally over time. Many patients maintain excellent distance vision for years, though some eventually notice mild prescription shifts or age-related reading changes after 40.

Are contact lenses safer than LASIK?

Both options are generally safe when used properly, but they carry different risks. Contact lenses involve ongoing daily handling, which means repeated exposure to infection risk over many years. LASIK carries short-term surgical risks upfront but removes the daily maintenance cycle afterward. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, proper screening is one of the biggest factors influencing LASIK safety outcomes.

What age is best for LASIK?

Honestly, it depends — but here’s how to tell. Most surgeons prefer patients whose prescriptions have remained stable for at least 12 months. For many adults, the late 20s through late 30s often becomes the sweet spot financially and medically. If you’re curious about timing, this breakdown of the best age for LASIK surgery explains the decision factors pretty clearly.

Do people regret LASIK later?

Fair warning: the answer might surprise you. Most properly screened patients report strong satisfaction afterward, especially when expectations are realistic. Regret usually comes from misunderstanding recovery, expecting perfect lifelong vision, or choosing low-quality clinics based only on price. That’s why thorough consultations matter so much.

Your Move: Stop Comparing Price Tags and Start Comparing Years

Here’s what most people eventually realize.

This decision usually isn’t about one payment versus another. It’s about whether you want to keep managing vision correction every single day for the next decade — financially, physically, and mentally.

For some people, contacts remain a totally reasonable choice. Especially if they’re comfortable, affordable, and low-maintenance in your daily routine.

But for heavy contact lens users? The math often shifts faster than expected.

And not just financially.

The patients happiest after LASIK usually aren’t obsessed with “perfect vision.” They’re the ones relieved to stop thinking about their eyes all day long. No more packing lens cases. No more solution bottles. No more blurry mornings reaching for glasses before checking the clock.

That freedom becomes the real value over time.

So before making your next move, calculate your actual yearly spending honestly — not just the monthly number that feels harmless. Then book a proper consultation, ask uncomfortable questions, and compare long-term lifestyle costs instead of reacting to one upfront price tag.

And if you’ve already gone through the LASIK vs contact lenses debate yourself, share your experience in the comments — the good, the bad, and the part you wish someone had told you earlier.