SMILE cost per eye

Follow-up visits, among the 4 prices that include them: 3 months (1), 1 year (2). 1 state no period. Enhancements, among the 5 that include one in full or in part: 1 year (1). 4 state no period.

• FDA says to expect a first visit with the doctor within 24 to 48 hours after surgery, and visits at regular intervals after that for at least the first six months.Source: FDA: LASIK — what should I expect before, during and after surgery? (opens in a new tab), content current as of 07/11/2018. Checked October 11, 2026.
• FDA says to wait until eye measurements are consistent at two visits at least three months apart before a re-operation.Source: FDA: LASIK — what should I expect before, during and after surgery? (opens in a new tab), content current as of 07/11/2018. Checked October 11, 2026.
• FDA says no laser company has given it enough evidence to draw conclusions about the safety or effectiveness of enhancement surgery.Source: FDA: LASIK — what should I expect before, during and after surgery? (opens in a new tab), content current as of 07/11/2018. Checked October 11, 2026.

• The Refractive Surgery Council, an industry group, says health plans often treat laser vision correction as elective and can limit or deny coverage, and that some vision plans offer discounts, which it puts at typically 15 to 20 percent and up to 50 percent in network.Source: Refractive Surgery Council (an industry group): does insurance cover LASIK? (opens in a new tab), published February 11, 2026. Checked October 11, 2026.
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology says ICL surgery typically costs about twice as much as LASIK and more than PRK or SMILE, and that these procedures are elective and not covered by insurance.Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology: implantable collamer lens (ICL) (opens in a new tab), published Jul. 31, 2026. Checked October 11, 2026.

• IRS Publication 502 lists eye surgery to treat defective vision, naming laser eye surgery, among the medical expenses that can be included.Source: IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (opens in a new tab), Publication 502 (2025), for 2025 returns. Checked October 11, 2026.
• IRS Publication 969 says distributions from a health savings account and reimbursements from a health flexible spending arrangement are tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses.Source: IRS Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (opens in a new tab), Publication 969 (2025), for 2025 returns. Checked October 11, 2026.
• Publication 969 defines qualified medical expenses for a health FSA as those that would generally qualify for the medical expense deduction, and for an HSA points to medical care under Internal Revenue Code section 213(d). Neither IRS publication says in so many words that LASIK is eligible, and a plan can set its own list.Source: IRS Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (opens in a new tab), Publication 969 (2025), for 2025 returns. Checked October 11, 2026.

• FDA approved the VisuMax femtosecond laser for small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) on September 13, 2016, to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness.Source: FDA premarket approval record P150040 (VisuMax femtosecond laser) (opens in a new tab), decision date 09/13/2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
• FDA’s record of that approval notes that later supplements may have changed what the device is approved for.Source: FDA premarket approval record P150040 (VisuMax femtosecond laser) (opens in a new tab), decision date 09/13/2016. Checked October 11, 2026.

1. Is this price per eye, or for both eyes?
2. Is it a fixed price, or a starting price that depends on my prescription?
3. Which laser or technology level is this price for, and what does the next level cost?
4. Is the pre-operative exam charged separately, and is it credited to the procedure?
5. How long are follow-up visits covered, and who provides them?
6. How long is an enhancement covered, and what would one cost after that?
7. Are the eye drops and medications in the price?
8. Is this the paid-in-full price, and is the financed price different?

• FDA’s LASIK checklist has cost as a line of its own, and lists asking who will provide the care before and after surgery among its questions for a doctor.Source: FDA: LASIK surgery checklist (opens in a new tab), content current as of 07/11/2018. Checked October 11, 2026.
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s list of questions to ask includes what LASIK costs and what related treatment would cost, naming treatment of minor side effects and retreatment.Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology: questions to ask when considering LASIK (opens in a new tab), published Apr. 29, 2023. Checked October 11, 2026.
• The Refractive Surgery Council, an industry group, advises getting a written, itemized estimate and asking about enhancement fees.Source: Refractive Surgery Council (an industry group): cost of LASIK (opens in a new tab), published June 4, 2026. Checked October 11, 2026.

How much does SMILE cost per eye?

SMILE typically costs $2,400 to $3,000 per eye. That is an estimate from 6 centers’ fixed published prices in 5 states, each restated at the national price level. Ranges, “starting at” figures, prices with a condition and national chains are left out of it, and are shown on this page. Every published price

Is the SMILE price per eye or for both eyes?

Of the 7 published prices on this page, 6 are quoted per eye and 1 for both eyes together. A both-eyes price is shown as its page prints it, with half of it beside it as arithmetic; it is never counted as a per-eye price. The unit beside each price

Is the consultation free, and is the exam part of the price?

Of the 7 published prices here, 4 say the consultation is free or included and 3 say the pre-operative exam is in the price; 0 say the exam is charged separately. 6 centers publish a separate exam fee, $100 to $500. A page that does not mention the exam is counted as not stated, never as included. Exam fees

Are enhancements included in the price?

4 of the 7 published prices here say an enhancement is included, 1 say it is included in part or on a condition, and 0 say it costs extra; 2 do not say. Where a page states how long, the periods are: 1 year (1). Enhancement policies

How does SMILE compare with the other procedures in cost?

Per eye, from the prices we have checked: LASIK $2,000 – $2,700 typical; PRK $2,000 – $2,600 typical; ICL $3,900 – $4,900 typical; Refractive lens exchange $6,000 – $8,270 in published fixed prices. These are prices, not a comparison of the procedures: which one is suitable for an eye is a clinical question. The procedures side by side