Laser eye surgery is priced per eye or for both eyes by private clinics, and what you pay depends on the procedure, your prescription and corneas, the technology the clinic uses and what the quoted price includes. Advertised “from” prices usually apply to mild prescriptions; stronger prescriptions or a different procedure cost more. This page explains each factor and how people pay. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada.
Procedures and how they differ
| Procedure | How it works | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | A thin flap is made in the cornea, the cornea is reshaped by laser, and the flap is replaced | Most candidates; quick recovery |
| PRK | The surface layer is removed and the cornea reshaped without a flap | Thinner corneas; a slower, more uncomfortable recovery |
| SMILE | A small incision removes a piece of corneal tissue shaped by the laser | Some prescriptions; a newer technique |
| Implantable lens (ICL) | A lens is placed inside the eye in front of the natural lens | High prescriptions or corneas too thin for laser surgery; usually the most expensive |
Which procedure you are a candidate for is decided at the screening exam, so the procedure, and therefore the price, isn’t known until then.
What drives the price
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Prescription | Stronger prescriptions and astigmatism can cost more |
| Technology | Custom (wavefront-guided) treatment and all-laser flap creation usually cost more than standard treatment |
| The surgeon and clinic | Experience and location; prices are often higher in large cities |
| What’s included | The screening exam, follow-up visits, medication and an enhancement if vision regresses |
| Ask whether the price includes | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The consultation and screening | Some clinics charge for it, others credit it to surgery |
| Follow-up visits for a year | Several visits are normal |
| Enhancements | A touch-up if your vision changes; some clinics include it for a period or for life, others charge |
| Both eyes | Some advertised prices are per eye |
Coverage
Provincial health plans don’t cover laser eye surgery for vision correction. Some workplace plans have a vision care allowance that can be put toward it, and health spending accounts can pay for it; see health spending accounts. Laser eye surgery is an eligible medical expense, so the amount above the lower of 3% of net income or $2,890 (2026) can be claimed with the medical expense tax credit.
LASIK vs glasses and contacts over time
Glasses and contact lenses are a recurring cost (new lenses, frames, solutions and eye exams) while surgery is paid once, so over enough years surgery can cost less than lenses. The comparison depends on what you spend on glasses or contacts each year, whether you’ll still need reading glasses as you age (laser surgery doesn’t prevent the need for reading glasses that comes in the 40s), and whether an enhancement is needed later.
Example: if surgery costs $4,000 for both eyes and you spend $600 a year on contact lenses and solutions, surgery equals about 6.7 years of lens costs. Both figures are illustrative; your own quote and spending decide the answer.
Paying for laser eye surgery
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinic financing | Many clinics offer instalment plans; compare the interest rate |
| A health spending account | Pays with pre-tax employer credits |
| A vision care allowance | Some benefit plans allow it to be used for surgery |
| The medical expense tax credit | Claim the cost above the threshold |
Related reading
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 25, 2026. How we check facts.
- Canada Revenue Agency: Lines 33099 and 33199 – Eligible medical expenses you can claim on your tax return