Did you know that at least 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from near or distance vision impairment and that the global eyewear market size is estimated at $157.9 billion in 2021? (reference) Glasses and contact lenses appear to be economical choices since the initial expenditure is not significant. However, you might be surprised to learn how much money you could potentially waste on glasses or lenses for a lifetime without LASIK.
Cost of Eyeglasses
The cost of using glasses includes the cost of prescriptions and frames. People who wear prescription glasses generally need to change their prescription every two to three years. This means you will either have to change your existing frames or buy new glasses depending on your updated prescription. This suggests that there will be ongoing costs throughout your life.
The durability of glasses is not permanent. Therefore, on average, people purchase new glasses at least every two years. The use of cheaper materials or poor assembly processes can compromise durability. Additionally, how users handle and store their glasses also affects durability. Careless handling or leaving glasses in unstable places where they can be accidentally stepped on can lead to damage. If the frame becomes misaligned or damaged, replacement may be necessary.
The average price for glasses is around $200, but designer glasses can be much more expensive. So, if we assume that, on average, glasses are replaced every 2 to 3 years at a cost of approximately $200, the lifetime cost for glasses could range from $2,000 to $6,000. In addition, estimated expenditures can be higher due to style preferences, prescription changes, and advancements in lens materials or coatings technology.
Cost of Contact Lenses
When estimating the expense of contact lenses, it’s crucial to account not just for the price of a specific lens type, but also to take into consideration the type of lens utilized (whether it’s single-use or reusable).
The cost of lenses for a year varies depending on several factors, particularly the lens type and brand of contact lenses, as well as individual preferences. For instance, daily disposable lenses typically range from around $20 to $30 per box. The average annual cost of this is $450 to $650. In contrast, silicone hydrogel contacts, suitable for extended wear, usually cost approximately $250 to $300 annually.
Cost of LASIK
On average, the cost of LASIK eye surgery in South Korea ranges from approximately $1,700 to $2,500 for both eyes. This price typically includes preoperative consultations and post-operative care. (For procedures such as lens implantation, the cost may be higher.)
Which option is more cost-effective?
LASIK may seem like a significant expense, but when considering the average cost of lifelong use of contact lenses or glasses, the actual expense of LASIK surgery may be lower.
Over 30 years, the minimum cost of replacing glasses amounts to approximately $2,000, while using daily disposable lenses over the same period can cost $13,500. In contrast, the cost of undergoing LASIK surgery once in a lifetime to achieve perfect vision on a 20/20 scale ranges only from $1,700 to $2,500. From a cost-effective standpoint, vision correction surgery emerges as the clear winner.
When consulting with various eye centers and assessing costs, it’s important to remember that the price of LASIK procedures can vary depending on the types of pre-operative examinations conducted and the equipment used for these tests, which may differ between clinics. Therefore, carefully analyze the prices and be sure to inquire about the equipment used during surgery for the best outcomes at B&VIIT Eye Center.
If you are curious about why you should choose B&VIIT Eye Center for vision correction, please refer to the link below. 🙂
https://blog.english.bnviit.com/2022/04/08/why-bviit-eye-center-for-vision-correction-surgery/
Would you like to schedule a consultation with B&VIIT Eye Center? Make an appointment using the link below!
2 thoughts on “Which option is more cost-effective, LASIK or Corrective eyewear?”