LASIK in San Diego: Candidacy, Cost, Recovery and How to Choose a Surgeon

Are you a LASIK candidate?

Only an eye surgeon who examines you can answer that. But the FDA and the AAO publish clear lists of reasons to pause, and they're worth reading before a free consultation, not after.

The FDA says you're probably not a good candidate for refractive surgery if you:

• Are not a risk taker
• Work in a job that may prohibit certain refractive procedures
• Can't manage the cost, since most medical insurance won't pay for it
• Changed your glasses or contact lens prescription in the past year
• Have a disease, or take a medication, that may affect wound healing
• Do boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other contact sports

The FDA adds that some groups are more likely to have an unstable prescription: people in their early 20s or younger, people whose hormones fluctuate because of a disease such as diabetes, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people taking medications that may cause vision to fluctuate.

Two more points matter for planning. The FTC notes that LASIK cannot correct or prevent presbyopia, and that its benefits may diminish over time. If you've been told LASIK isn't a good fit, our guide to SMILE, PRK and ICL explains the alternatives.

What LASIK costs in San Diego

We could not find published LASIK prices specific to San Diego. The closest figures are statewide and national averages from a financing company and LASIK providers, so read them as ballpark numbers.

NVISION puts the typical range at $1,500–$3,500 per eye, citing research in Clinical Ophthalmology, and Wilmington Eye gives the same range as the 2024 U.S. average. All of these figures are per eye, so a quote for both eyes will be roughly double.

Paying for it

Because most medical insurance won't pay for refractive surgery, plan on covering the cost yourself. If you hope to use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), ask your plan administrator whether LASIK qualifies before you book. If a practice offers financing, read the full terms before you sign.

Questions that reveal the real price

• Is the quote per eye or for both eyes?
• Does it include the pre-surgery evaluation and any repeat measurements?
• How many follow-up visits are included, and over what period?
• If I need another procedure later, is it included or extra?
• Which type of LASIK is quoted, and why that one for my eyes?
• Is there a charge if the evaluation shows I'm not a candidate?

Risks and results, in the FDA's and AAO's words

The FDA's risk page is direct, and it's worth reading in full. Among its points:

• You may still need glasses or contacts after surgery, including reading glasses if you used them before.
• Results are generally not as good when the prescription is very large.
• A device malfunction or error during surgery may lead to stopping the procedure or to irreversible damage.
• After surgery, flap migration, inflammation or infection may require another procedure or intensive drops.
• If you're considering monovision LASIK, try monovision with contact lenses first.

The FDA, the National Eye Institute and the Department of Defense launched the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project in October 2009. It measured symptoms three months after surgery:

The AAO lists eye pain or discomfort, dry eye symptoms, glare, double vision and light sensitivity among LASIK risks, with eye infection and blindness as rare risks. Its 2024 page on LASIK complications cites the 2016 Modern LASIK Outcomes study, in which 99.5% of eyes saw 20/40 or better after LASIK. In July 2022 the FDA issued draft guidance on patient labeling for LASIK devices, according to an FDA statement reported by Good Morning America.

Before, during and after: a realistic timeline

1. EvaluationThe surgeon measures your eyes to decide how much cornea to remove. The FDA says these measurements may need repeating at least a week after the first evaluation, especially if you wear rigid gas-permeable or hard lenses.
2. Contact lens breakThe FTC says your cornea should be in its natural shape on surgery day. Ask your surgeon exactly when to stop wearing contacts.
3. Informed consentYou'll sign a consent form after a discussion of risks, per the FTC. Ask for a copy in advance.
4. Surgery dayMayo Clinic says LASIK usually takes 30 minutes or less. Ask whether you need someone to drive you home.
5. First daysVision is generally good within a few days, according to Mayo Clinic. The FTC advises avoiding sports for 3 days.
6. First monthThe FTC advises avoiding swimming, hot tubs and whirlpools for 2 weeks, and impact sports for 4 weeks.
7. Months two and threeMayo Clinic notes healing and stabilization can take 2–3 months. Keep every follow-up appointment.

Checklist for comparing San Diego LASIK practices

For the verification steps, see how to check an eye surgeon. Sharp HealthCare's eye services page lists laser vision correction surgery among its services (checked November 2026). Whether you consider a hospital system or an independent practice, use the same checklist.