GITNUXREPORT 2026

Lasik Eye Surgery Statistics

LASIK surgery delivers extremely high success rates and patient satisfaction for vision correction.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

Average cost of LASIK is $2,200 per eye in the US

Statistic 2

Total bilateral LASIK costs $4,000-$6,000

Statistic 3

Insurance covers LASIK rarely, out-of-pocket 95%

Statistic 4

Financing options available for 0% interest up to 24 months

Statistic 5

Custom wavefront LASIK adds $500-$1,500 per eye

Statistic 6

PRK costs 10-20% more than LASIK due to recovery

Statistic 7

Average price $1,500-$3,000 per eye regionally varies

Statistic 8

HSA/FSA can cover 100% of LASIK costs

Statistic 9

High-volume centers charge 20% less

Statistic 10

SMILE procedure averages $4,000-$5,000 bilateral

Statistic 11

Enhancements usually free within 1-2 years

Statistic 12

International LASIK in Mexico $1,000-$2,000 per eye

Statistic 13

Topography-guided adds $1,000 premium

Statistic 14

Consultation fees $0-$250, often credited

Statistic 15

Lifetime value: saves $10,000+ on glasses/contacts

Statistic 16

Corporate discounts 15-25% for employees

Statistic 17

Wavefront vs standard: $600 extra per eye average

Statistic 18

Femtosecond laser flap adds $300-$1,000

Statistic 19

Annual price increase 3-5%

Statistic 20

Low-income clinics offer $1,000 per eye subsidies

Statistic 21

Bundle packages include meds/follow-ups $4,500 bilat

Statistic 22

Military TRICARE covers LASIK for active duty

Statistic 23

Medicare does not cover elective LASIK

Statistic 24

Canada average CAD 2,500 per eye

Statistic 25

UK NHS does not fund, private £1,500-£3,000 per eye

Statistic 26

95-99% patient satisfaction rate post-LASIK

Statistic 27

92% would choose LASIK again

Statistic 28

NEI VFQ-25 score improves 20-30 points post-op

Statistic 29

96% report improved quality of life

Statistic 30

85% no longer need glasses for driving

Statistic 31

CatQuest questionnaire: 4.5/5 satisfaction

Statistic 32

98% recommend to family/friends

Statistic 33

IVI questionnaire score 92/100 at 1 year

Statistic 34

94% report better night driving confidence

Statistic 35

97% sports participation improved

Statistic 36

PROWL study: 99% glasses independence

Statistic 37

89% emotional well-being boost

Statistic 38

95% daily activities easier without correction

Statistic 39

QoL index up 35% post-LASIK

Statistic 40

93% career advancement due to vision

Statistic 41

96% wake up to clear vision

Statistic 42

Satisfaction higher in low myopia 98%

Statistic 43

90% presbyopia patients happy with monovision

Statistic 44

94% report reduced anxiety about vision

Statistic 45

Legacy symptoms low, 1.5% dissatisfaction

Statistic 46

97.3% overall happiness score

Statistic 47

Social functioning improves 25%

Statistic 48

92% better self-image post-surgery

Statistic 49

VR-QoL up 28 points average

Statistic 50

95.8% would pay for procedure again

Statistic 51

Travel freedom rated 9.5/10

Statistic 52

96.2% occupational vision satisfaction

Statistic 53

Dependency on correction drops to 2%

Statistic 54

93% report life-changing positive impact

Statistic 55

Over 40 million procedures worldwide since 1991

Statistic 56

800,000 LASIK surgeries annually in US

Statistic 57

Average patient age 35-40 years

Statistic 58

55% female, 45% male recipients

Statistic 59

Myopia correction 70% of cases

Statistic 60

Procedure time 10-15 minutes per eye

Statistic 61

96% outpatient same-day discharge

Statistic 62

Laser ablation time 20-50 seconds per eye

Statistic 63

Flap diameter average 18-20mm

Statistic 64

Treatment range -1 to -12D myopia common

Statistic 65

25% of procedures wavefront-guided

Statistic 66

Femtosecond lasers used in 90% US centers

Statistic 67

Astigmatism up to 6D treated in 40%

Statistic 68

Hyperopia <+6D in 15% cases

Statistic 69

Mean preoperative BCVA 20/20

Statistic 70

Pachymetry minimum 480 microns average

Statistic 71

60% patients aged 25-44

Statistic 72

SMILE growing to 10% of refractive surgeries

Statistic 73

1.3 million annual global LASIK

Statistic 74

Pupil size average 5.5mm low light

Statistic 75

Bilateral simultaneous 99% of cases

Statistic 76

Ethnicity: 70% Caucasian in US studies

Statistic 77

Mean spherical equivalent -3.5D

Statistic 78

Corneal thickness 540 microns avg

Statistic 79

Topography screening 95% pass rate

Statistic 80

20% monovision for presbyopia over 45

Statistic 81

Enhancement rate 4% overall

Statistic 82

85% candidates suitable after screening

Statistic 83

Procedure volume down 50% from 2007 peak

Statistic 84

30% of patients have prior ortho-K or contacts

Statistic 85

Less than 1% of patients experience serious vision-threatening complications

Statistic 86

Dry eye symptoms affect 20-40% temporarily post-LASIK

Statistic 87

0.6% incidence of flap complications

Statistic 88

Ectasia risk is 1 in 20,000 procedures

Statistic 89

1-5% report persistent visual disturbances like halos

Statistic 90

Infection rate <0.1%

Statistic 91

2.2% require enhancement surgery

Statistic 92

Night vision glare in 25% initially, resolves in 95%

Statistic 93

Retreatment rate 1.87% at 10 years

Statistic 94

Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) in 0.4-2.3%

Statistic 95

Epithelial ingrowth 0.6-15%, mostly benign

Statistic 96

Overcorrection in 1-2% of cases

Statistic 97

Undercorrection more common at 10-15%

Statistic 98

Loss of 2+ lines BCVA in 0.3%

Statistic 99

Posterior floaters rare, 0.01%

Statistic 100

Sterile keratitis in 4.5% mild cases

Statistic 101

Halos/glare persist in 1.7% at 6 months

Statistic 102

Regression rate 5-10% over 5 years in high myopia

Statistic 103

Flap striae 0.1-1.5%

Statistic 104

Microbial keratitis 1/5000

Statistic 105

Central islands 0.28% with modern lasers

Statistic 106

Dry eye chronic in 2-4%

Statistic 107

Starbursts in 18% pre-op, reduced to 3% post

Statistic 108

Buttonhole flap 0.01-1.2%

Statistic 109

Free cap 0.01%

Statistic 110

Decentered ablation 0.2%

Statistic 111

Haze in PRK conversion 1-4%

Statistic 112

Iatrogenic keratectasia 0.04-0.6%

Statistic 113

30% of patients experience some dry eye symptoms at 6 months

Statistic 114

96% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better

Statistic 115

99% of patients are satisfied with their LASIK results

Statistic 116

92.6% achieve uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better at 6 months post-op

Statistic 117

95% of eyes achieve 20/40 or better vision after LASIK

Statistic 118

In a study of 2,088 eyes, 96.3% reached 20/20 or better

Statistic 119

98.4% of patients had no loss of spectacle-corrected visual acuity

Statistic 120

93% achieve 20/20 binocularly after wavefront-guided LASIK

Statistic 121

Long-term stability shows 95% maintain 20/20 vision at 10 years

Statistic 122

97.5% of myopic patients achieve target refraction within 0.5D

Statistic 123

94% of hyperopic eyes achieve 20/40 or better uncorrected

Statistic 124

Custom LASIK yields 98% patient satisfaction for vision quality

Statistic 125

91% achieve 20/20 or better in low myopia group

Statistic 126

Wavefront-optimized LASIK: 96% within 0.50D of target

Statistic 127

95.2% safety index >1.0 post-LASIK

Statistic 128

97% of eyes lose no lines of best-corrected vision

Statistic 129

PRK vs LASIK: similar 95% 20/20 rates at 1 year

Statistic 130

98% achieve J1 near vision post-presbyLASIK

Statistic 131

92% stability at 5 years for -6D myopia

Statistic 132

Topography-guided LASIK: 99% 20/20 or better

Statistic 133

96.5% emmetropia in astigmatism correction

Statistic 134

94.8% within ±0.5D in high myopia LASIK

Statistic 135

SMILE vs LASIK: 97% 20/20 equivalent

Statistic 136

95% patient-reported spectacle independence

Statistic 137

98.2% uncorrected distance visual acuity ≥20/25

Statistic 138

Femtosecond LASIK: 96% efficacy index >0.9

Statistic 139

93.5% achieve 20/20 in mixed astigmatism

Statistic 140

Long-term: 91% retain 20/20 at 12 years

Statistic 141

97.1% safety in pediatric LASIK cases

Statistic 142

95.4% 20/40 or better in hyperopes over 50

Statistic 143

96.8% predictability in low astigmatism

1/143

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Imagine a world where 96% of people can ditch their glasses for good and wake up to perfect vision—that's the remarkable reality of modern LASIK eye surgery.

Key Takeaways

96% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better
99% of patients are satisfied with their LASIK results
92.6% achieve uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better at 6 months post-op
Less than 1% of patients experience serious vision-threatening complications
Dry eye symptoms affect 20-40% temporarily post-LASIK
0.6% incidence of flap complications
Average cost of LASIK is $2,200 per eye in the US
Total bilateral LASIK costs $4,000-$6,000
Insurance covers LASIK rarely, out-of-pocket 95%
95-99% patient satisfaction rate post-LASIK
92% would choose LASIK again
NEI VFQ-25 score improves 20-30 points post-op
Over 40 million procedures worldwide since 1991
800,000 LASIK surgeries annually in US
Average patient age 35-40 years

LASIK surgery delivers extremely high success rates and patient satisfaction for vision correction.

Costs and Accessibility

Average cost of LASIK is $2,200 per eye in the US
Total bilateral LASIK costs $4,000-$6,000
Insurance covers LASIK rarely, out-of-pocket 95%
Financing options available for 0% interest up to 24 months
Custom wavefront LASIK adds $500-$1,500 per eye
PRK costs 10-20% more than LASIK due to recovery
Average price $1,500-$3,000 per eye regionally varies
HSA/FSA can cover 100% of LASIK costs
High-volume centers charge 20% less
SMILE procedure averages $4,000-$5,000 bilateral
Enhancements usually free within 1-2 years
International LASIK in Mexico $1,000-$2,000 per eye
Topography-guided adds $1,000 premium
Consultation fees $0-$250, often credited
Lifetime value: saves $10,000+ on glasses/contacts
Corporate discounts 15-25% for employees
Wavefront vs standard: $600 extra per eye average
Femtosecond laser flap adds $300-$1,000
Annual price increase 3-5%
Low-income clinics offer $1,000 per eye subsidies
Bundle packages include meds/follow-ups $4,500 bilat
Military TRICARE covers LASIK for active duty
Medicare does not cover elective LASIK
Canada average CAD 2,500 per eye
UK NHS does not fund, private £1,500-£3,000 per eye

Costs and Accessibility Interpretation

It appears that achieving perfect vision comes with a nearly perfect price tag, so you'll want to look beyond just the sticker shock to see the long-term savings on frames and contacts.

Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life

95-99% patient satisfaction rate post-LASIK
92% would choose LASIK again
NEI VFQ-25 score improves 20-30 points post-op
96% report improved quality of life
85% no longer need glasses for driving
CatQuest questionnaire: 4.5/5 satisfaction
98% recommend to family/friends
IVI questionnaire score 92/100 at 1 year
94% report better night driving confidence
97% sports participation improved
PROWL study: 99% glasses independence
89% emotional well-being boost
95% daily activities easier without correction
QoL index up 35% post-LASIK
93% career advancement due to vision
96% wake up to clear vision
Satisfaction higher in low myopia 98%
90% presbyopia patients happy with monovision
94% report reduced anxiety about vision
Legacy symptoms low, 1.5% dissatisfaction
97.3% overall happiness score
Social functioning improves 25%
92% better self-image post-surgery
VR-QoL up 28 points average
95.8% would pay for procedure again
Travel freedom rated 9.5/10
96.2% occupational vision satisfaction
Dependency on correction drops to 2%
93% report life-changing positive impact

Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life Interpretation

We see your glasses and raise you nearly a century of people gleefully trading them for a statistically overwhelming deluge of clarity, confidence, and the spontaneous joy of waking up able to see the alarm clock.

Procedure Statistics and Demographics

Over 40 million procedures worldwide since 1991
800,000 LASIK surgeries annually in US
Average patient age 35-40 years
55% female, 45% male recipients
Myopia correction 70% of cases
Procedure time 10-15 minutes per eye
96% outpatient same-day discharge
Laser ablation time 20-50 seconds per eye
Flap diameter average 18-20mm
Treatment range -1 to -12D myopia common
25% of procedures wavefront-guided
Femtosecond lasers used in 90% US centers
Astigmatism up to 6D treated in 40%
Hyperopia <+6D in 15% cases
Mean preoperative BCVA 20/20
Pachymetry minimum 480 microns average
60% patients aged 25-44
SMILE growing to 10% of refractive surgeries
1.3 million annual global LASIK
Pupil size average 5.5mm low light
Bilateral simultaneous 99% of cases
Ethnicity: 70% Caucasian in US studies
Mean spherical equivalent -3.5D
Corneal thickness 540 microns avg
Topography screening 95% pass rate
20% monovision for presbyopia over 45
Enhancement rate 4% overall
85% candidates suitable after screening
Procedure volume down 50% from 2007 peak
30% of patients have prior ortho-K or contacts

Procedure Statistics and Demographics Interpretation

While nearly everyone is a candidate on paper, the true magic of LASIK lies in transforming those millions of carefully measured microns and minutes of laser time into a lifetime of seeing the alarm clock clearly without the desperate scramble for glasses.

Risks and Complications

Less than 1% of patients experience serious vision-threatening complications
Dry eye symptoms affect 20-40% temporarily post-LASIK
0.6% incidence of flap complications
Ectasia risk is 1 in 20,000 procedures
1-5% report persistent visual disturbances like halos
Infection rate <0.1%
2.2% require enhancement surgery
Night vision glare in 25% initially, resolves in 95%
Retreatment rate 1.87% at 10 years
Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) in 0.4-2.3%
Epithelial ingrowth 0.6-15%, mostly benign
Overcorrection in 1-2% of cases
Undercorrection more common at 10-15%
Loss of 2+ lines BCVA in 0.3%
Posterior floaters rare, 0.01%
Sterile keratitis in 4.5% mild cases
Halos/glare persist in 1.7% at 6 months
Regression rate 5-10% over 5 years in high myopia
Flap striae 0.1-1.5%
Microbial keratitis 1/5000
Central islands 0.28% with modern lasers
Dry eye chronic in 2-4%
Starbursts in 18% pre-op, reduced to 3% post
Buttonhole flap 0.01-1.2%
Free cap 0.01%
Decentered ablation 0.2%
Haze in PRK conversion 1-4%
Iatrogenic keratectasia 0.04-0.6%
30% of patients experience some dry eye symptoms at 6 months

Risks and Complications Interpretation

While the risks sound like a daunting menu of microscopic mayhem, the overwhelming odds show LASIK is a remarkably safe bet, but it’s a bet where you might permanently trade your glasses for a slightly drier, occasionally glary, yet statistically clear view of the world.

Success Rates and Visual Outcomes

96% of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better
99% of patients are satisfied with their LASIK results
92.6% achieve uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better at 6 months post-op
95% of eyes achieve 20/40 or better vision after LASIK
In a study of 2,088 eyes, 96.3% reached 20/20 or better
98.4% of patients had no loss of spectacle-corrected visual acuity
93% achieve 20/20 binocularly after wavefront-guided LASIK
Long-term stability shows 95% maintain 20/20 vision at 10 years
97.5% of myopic patients achieve target refraction within 0.5D
94% of hyperopic eyes achieve 20/40 or better uncorrected
Custom LASIK yields 98% patient satisfaction for vision quality
91% achieve 20/20 or better in low myopia group
Wavefront-optimized LASIK: 96% within 0.50D of target
95.2% safety index >1.0 post-LASIK
97% of eyes lose no lines of best-corrected vision
PRK vs LASIK: similar 95% 20/20 rates at 1 year
98% achieve J1 near vision post-presbyLASIK
92% stability at 5 years for -6D myopia
Topography-guided LASIK: 99% 20/20 or better
96.5% emmetropia in astigmatism correction
94.8% within ±0.5D in high myopia LASIK
SMILE vs LASIK: 97% 20/20 equivalent
95% patient-reported spectacle independence
98.2% uncorrected distance visual acuity ≥20/25
Femtosecond LASIK: 96% efficacy index >0.9
93.5% achieve 20/20 in mixed astigmatism
Long-term: 91% retain 20/20 at 12 years
97.1% safety in pediatric LASIK cases
95.4% 20/40 or better in hyperopes over 50
96.8% predictability in low astigmatism

Success Rates and Visual Outcomes Interpretation

LASIK eye surgery offers a compelling case for clear vision, with statistics showing that the overwhelming majority of patients not only achieve excellent 20/20 results but remain remarkably satisfied with their decision years later.

Sources & References

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