Bottom line: Contact lenses feel affordable because you pay in small monthly amounts. But over a lifetime, they cost $10,000–$30,000+ — and you get nothing permanent for that money. LASIK in Colombia costs $1,049–$1,500 for both eyes. The math is not even close.
The Numbers Nobody Shows You
| Expense | Annual Cost | 10-Year Total | 20-Year Total | 30-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily disposable contacts | $600–$1,000 | $6,000–$10,000 | $12,000–$20,000 | $18,000–$30,000 |
| Monthly contacts + solution | $400–$700 | $4,000–$7,000 | $8,000–$14,000 | $12,000–$21,000 |
| Glasses (replaced every 2 yrs) | $200–$400 | $2,000–$4,000 | $4,000–$8,000 | $6,000–$12,000 |
| LASIK in Colombia (one-time) | — | $1,049–$1,500 | $1,049–$1,500 | $1,049–$1,500 |
If you are 25 and currently spending $700 per year on contacts, you will spend approximately $28,000 on contacts by age 65. LASIK in Colombia eliminates that entire cost stream for less than two years of contact lens expenses.
The Breakeven Point
At $700/year in contact costs, LASIK in Colombia pays for itself in approximately 18 months. Every year after that is pure savings. If you get LASIK at 28, you save roughly $25,000 over your lifetime compared to staying in contacts.
The Hidden Costs of Contacts
The annual cost above does not include emergency replacement lenses when you lose or tear one, prescription eye exams required for contact lens renewals (typically $100–$200 annually), eye drops and rewetting solutions for contact lens dry eye, the occasional eye infection that requires antibiotics and a doctor visit, or the value of your time — inserting, removing, cleaning, and managing contacts adds up to roughly 30 hours per year.
Why Not LASIK in the US?
At $4,000–$6,000+ in the US, LASIK still pays for itself — but it takes six to eight years to break even against contacts. In Colombia, at $1,049–$1,500, the breakeven is less than two years. The savings over contacts are the same either way, but Colombia gets you there faster with a lower upfront investment.
And if cost is the reason you have been putting off LASIK, Colombia removes that barrier entirely. The $1,049–$1,500 for permanent vision correction is less than what most Americans spend on contacts in a single year.
💡 HSA and FSA
LASIK is an IRS-approved eligible expense for Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. You can pay with pre-tax dollars, effectively saving an additional 20–30% depending on your tax bracket.
The Lifestyle Dividend
Beyond the financial math, LASIK eliminates daily contact lens hassles — no more dry eyes at 4pm, no more carrying solution and a case everywhere, no more panicking when a lens tears during travel, no more choosing between blurry vision and glasses at the beach or gym. These quality-of-life improvements do not show up in a spreadsheet but they are real and they compound every single day.
Stop Renting Your Vision
LASIK in Colombia costs less than two years of contacts. Get your free quote and start saving.
Get Free QuoteRead more: Why Glasses Are So Expensive | LASIK for Remote Workers