See your options clearly. Then get matched, free, with eye surgeons you can trust.
Honest comparisons of LASIK, PRK, SMILE, and ICL, who is a candidate, real cost and financing ranges, and the recovery and risks every procedure carries — plus a free way to find licensed eye surgeons near you, in your language.
Sightlume is a free matching service, not an eye surgeon or clinic, and nothing here is medical advice. You compare consultations and choose who you trust.
Four ways to correct your vision
A plain-language, side-by-side look at the main vision-correction procedures. Only a licensed eye surgeon can tell you, after an exam, which (if any) suits your eyes.
LASIK
- Often considered for
- Common prescriptions, fast recovery
- Typical recovery
- 1–2 days for daily life
- Typical cost / eye
- $2,000–$3,000
PRK
- Often considered for
- Thinner corneas, active lifestyles
- Typical recovery
- 1–2 weeks, settles over months
- Typical cost / eye
- $1,800–$2,800
SMILE
- Often considered for
- Nearsightedness, flap-free, less dry eye
- Typical recovery
- A few days
- Typical cost / eye
- $2,200–$3,200
ICL
- Often considered for
- High prescriptions, thin corneas
- Typical recovery
- A few days to a week
- Typical cost / eye
- $3,000–$5,000
These are general descriptions and typical ranges, not medical advice or quotes. Candidacy, results, and risks vary; an in-person exam decides what's right for you.
Are you even a candidate?
Not everyone is. A real exam measures things you can't check at home — and an honest surgeon will tell you when the answer is no.
Read the candidacy guide →Your prescription
How nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic you are sets which procedures are even on the table.
Your corneas
Corneal thickness and shape matter. Thin or irregular corneas can rule out laser surgery.
Your eye health
Dry eye, age, pregnancy, and certain conditions all affect timing and suitability.
What vision-correction surgery costs
Typical per-eye ranges in the US. Your real price depends on the procedure, your eyes, the technology used, and your area. These are estimates, not quotes.
| Procedure | Typical range / eye | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | $2,000–$3,000 | Common prescriptions, fast recovery |
| PRK | $1,800–$2,800 | Thinner corneas, active lifestyles |
| SMILE | $2,200–$3,200 | Nearsightedness, flap-free, less dry eye |
| ICL | $3,000–$5,000 | High prescriptions, thin corneas |
Ranges are typical estimates, not quotes, and surgery is rarely covered by insurance. Confirm the full price, what's included, and any enhancement policy in writing.
Procedures the surgeons we match perform
From laser procedures like LASIK and SMILE to implantable lenses and cataract surgery — learn what each one involves.
LASIK eye surgery
How LASIK works, who is and isn't a candidate, typical cost per eye, what recovery is really like, and the risks and side effects to weigh. General info, not medical advice.
Learn more → ProceduresPRK eye surgery
PRK is a flap-free laser procedure often suited to thinner corneas or active lifestyles. How it works, who it suits, cost, the longer recovery, and the risks. Not medical advice.
Learn more → ProceduresSMILE eye surgery
SMILE is a minimally invasive, flap-free laser procedure for nearsightedness. How it works, who is a candidate, cost, recovery, and the risks to consider. General info only.
Learn more → ProceduresICL (implantable lens)
ICL adds a tiny lens inside the eye and can suit high prescriptions or thin corneas where laser isn't ideal. How it works, candidacy, cost, recovery, and risks. Not medical advice.
Learn more → ProceduresCataract & lens surgery
How cataract and refractive lens exchange work, lens options, who they suit, typical cost, recovery, and the risks. Plain-language and general — not medical advice.
Learn more → ProceduresCandidacy & the eye exam
What a pre-surgery eye exam measures, why some people are not candidates, and the conditions that matter — so you know what to expect before you decide. Not medical advice.
Learn more →How Sightlume works
Four clear steps — and you stay in control the whole way.
Tell us what you're considering
The procedure you're curious about, your area, and how to reach you. Contact details only — we never ask for your medical history, prescription, or any health records.
Get matched, free
We connect you with licensed eye surgeons near you, at no cost to you. You'll usually hear from more than one so you can compare consultations.
Have a real exam & consultation
A surgeon examines your eyes and tells you honestly whether you're a candidate, which procedure (if any) suits you, the risks, and the full price. No exam, no surgery.
You choose — or walk away
You decide who to trust, or to wait, or to keep your glasses. Confirm the price in writing, ask about the enhancement policy, and never feel rushed into surgery.
Vision-correction guides
Plain-language guides to candidacy, cost, recovery, risks, and choosing an eye surgeon you can trust.
How we are paid
Sightlume is free for you. The licensed eye surgeons we match you with pay a flat fee to receive your request. We never take a cut of any procedure price, and we never charge you to be matched.
Honest, not pushy
No procedure is guaranteed, results vary, and every surgery carries real risks. Always choose a licensed eye surgeon, ask about your own candidacy, risks, and alternatives, and confirm prices in writing. Nothing here is medical advice.
Get matched with a licensed eye surgeon — free
Tell us what you're considering and your area. We connect you, at no cost, with licensed eye surgeons near you for a consultation. You compare and choose who you trust.