What a LASIK consultation actually involves
A LASIK consultation is a screening appointment where an eye doctor tests your vision, measures your cornea, and determines whether your eyes are suitable for the procedure. The doctor does not perform surgery during this visit — they gather data to tell you whether LASIK is an option for you, what results you might expect, and what risks explore to your specific eyes.
The appointment typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. You will have your vision tested with a standard eye chart, then move to specialized equipment that maps the shape and thickness of your cornea using a device called a topographer or wavefront analyzer. The doctor will also measure your pupil size, check your tear production, and examine the health of your retina and optic nerve. Some clinics dilate your pupils during this exam, which means you cannot drive afterward — plan for someone to pick you up or use a rideshare service.
At the end of the consultation, the doctor will show you the measurements and explain what LASIK would do to your specific cornea. They will discuss your current prescription, any astigmatism, and whether you have conditions like dry eye or thin corneas that might make surgery riskier or less effective. This is when you ask questions about recovery time, cost, and what happens if the correction is not perfect.
Key Takeaways
- A LASIK consultation includes vision testing, corneal mapping, and a detailed eye exam to determine whether your eyes are suitable for surgery.
- The appointment takes 60 to 90 minutes, and you cannot drive if your pupils are dilated, so arrange transportation beforehand.
- The doctor will explain your specific measurements and discuss realistic outcomes based on your prescription and cornea shape.
- Dry eye, thin corneas, and certain prescriptions can make LASIK less suitable or require additional precautions during surgery.
- Cost varies widely by clinic and region, typically ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye, and most insurance does not cover it.
Who should and should not consider LASIK
LASIK works best for people with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism who are tired of glasses or contacts and have stable vision for at least a year. Your age matters: the FDA has approved LASIK for people 18 and older, but most surgeons prefer patients to be at least 21, when vision typically stabilizes. If your prescription has changed significantly in the past year, the doctor will likely recommend waiting before surgery.
You should not have LASIK if you are pregnant or nursing, because hormones can temporarily change your cornea shape and affect results. Certain eye conditions also rule it out: severe dry eye, keratoconus (a progressive corneal disease), thin corneas, large pupils, or a history of herpes simplex in the eye. If you have autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, healing after surgery can be unpredictable, and some surgeons avoid LASIK in these cases.
People with very high prescriptions or very thin corneas may be candidates for PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) or implantable contact lenses instead. The consultation is where the doctor determines which procedure, if any, suits your eyes.
What the consultation costs and what insurance covers
A LASIK consultation typically costs between $100 and $300, though some surgeons offer it free if you proceed with surgery at their clinic. Many practices credit the consultation fee toward the surgery cost if you move forward. Call ahead to ask whether the fee is refundable or applied to treatment.
Most health insurance plans do not cover LASIK because it is considered elective and cosmetic. Medicare does not cover it. Some employer-sponsored vision plans offer a small discount (typically 10 to 25 percent off) through partnerships with LASIK centers, so check your benefits document or call your plan's customer service line to see whether you have this option.
The surgery itself costs between $1,500 and $3,000 per eye at most U.S. clinics, though prices vary significantly by region and surgeon experience. Some clinics offer financing plans through third-party lenders, allowing you to pay in monthly installments. Ask about this during your consultation if cost is a concern.
How to prepare for your consultation appointment
Stop wearing contact lenses before your consultation. Hard contacts need to be out for at least two weeks, and soft contacts for at least three to five days, because they reshape your cornea temporarily. If you wear contacts, the doctor's measurements will be inaccurate. Bring your current eyeglass prescription and any records from previous eye exams if you have them.
Write down any questions beforehand, especially about recovery time, restrictions on activities, and what happens if you need a touch-up procedure later. Ask about the surgeon's experience and complication rates — this is standard information clinics provide. Bring a list of all medications and supplements you take, including over-the-counter products, because some can affect healing or increase dry eye risk.
Arrange transportation home if the clinic dilates your pupils. Wear comfortable clothing and avoid heavy makeup around your eyes on the day of the appointment, as the doctor will need clear access to examine your eyes.
What happens between consultation and surgery
If the doctor clears you for LASIK, you will schedule surgery for a separate date, usually one to four weeks later. Before surgery, you will have a pre-operative appointment where the surgeon reviews your measurements again, discusses anesthesia (usually numbing drops only, not sedation), and answers final questions. You will sign consent forms that outline the risks and benefits specific to your eyes.
In the days before surgery, use any prescribed eye drops the surgeon recommends. Avoid contact lenses, swimming, hot tubs, and strenuous exercise. Do not wear makeup, perfume, or cologne on surgery day. Arrange for someone to drive you home, because your vision will be blurry when ready after the procedure and you will not be cleared to drive for at least 24 hours.
The surgery itself takes about 15 minutes per eye, though you will be in the surgical suite for longer. The surgeon uses a laser to reshape your cornea while you look at a fixed light. You will feel pressure but not pain, because numbing drops keep your eye anesthetized throughout.
Recovery and realistic expectations after LASIK
Your vision will be very blurry when ready after surgery, and it gradually improves over the first week to three months. Most people see well enough to drive within 24 hours, but your vision may fluctuate during the first few weeks. Dry eye is common after LASIK and usually improves within three to six months with prescribed drops.
You will have follow-up appointments at one day, one week, one month, and three months after surgery. During these visits, the surgeon checks your healing and measures your vision to confirm the correction is stable. If your vision is not as sharp as expected, a touch-up procedure (called an enhancement) may be an option, though not all surgeons include this in the original price.
Some people experience side effects like halos around lights at night, glare, or difficulty with night driving. These usually fade within three to six months. A small percentage of people (roughly 1 to 3 percent) experience undercorrection or overcorrection, meaning their vision is not as sharp as hoped. This is why the consultation is important — the doctor can predict your likelihood of these outcomes based on your specific cornea measurements.
Questions to ask during your consultation
Beyond the standard measurements, ask the surgeon how many LASIK procedures they have performed and what their complication rate is. Ask whether they use the latest laser technology and whether they offer wavefront-guided LASIK (which is more precise than standard LASIK for some patients). Find out what happens if you are not satisfied with your vision after surgery — do they offer touch-ups, and is there an additional cost?
Ask about restrictions after surgery: when you can return to work, exercise, swimming, and contact sports. Ask what symptoms warrant a call to the surgeon (severe pain, sudden vision loss, or increasing redness are red flags). Ask whether the surgeon has experience with your specific prescription range and whether they think you are a good candidate or whether PRK might be better for your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have LASIK in both eyes on the same day?
Yes, most surgeons perform LASIK on both eyes during a single appointment. Your vision will be blurry for the first few hours, but by the next day you should see well enough to function. Some surgeons prefer to do one eye at a time if you are nervous or have a very high prescription, but this is less common.
What if I have astigmatism — can LASIK still work?
Yes, LASIK corrects astigmatism as well as myopia and hyperopia. The laser reshapes your cornea in a different pattern to address the irregular curvature that causes astigmatism. The consultation will show whether your specific astigmatism is within the range LASIK can safely correct.
Will I need reading glasses after LASIK if I am over 40?
Possibly. LASIK corrects distance vision, but presbyopia (age-related difficulty focusing on close objects) happens naturally after age 40 and is not affected by LASIK. Some surgeons use monovision LASIK, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision, but this takes adjustment. Discuss this during your consultation if you are concerned about reading vision.
What if my vision changes after LASIK?
Vision can shift slightly over time due to aging or other factors. If your prescription changes significantly after LASIK, you may be a candidate for an enhancement procedure, though not all surgeons include this or offer it at no cost. Ask about the clinic's policy on enhancements during your consultation.
How do I know if a LASIK clinic is reputable?
Check whether the surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, ask how many procedures they perform annually, and read patient reviews on independent sites. Ask the clinic for their complication rates and whether they use FDA-approved laser technology. A reputable clinic will answer these questions directly and provide documentation.