Is LASIK Tax-Deductible?
Key takeaways:
LASIK eye surgery, a procedure that uses lasers to correct vision, is a qualified medical expense under IRS guidelines and may be tax deductible. On average, the cost of LASIK is about $4,400 for both eyes.
To deduct LASIK costs, you must itemize your deductions. Also, your total medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
Other tax-deductible vision expenses include prescription glasses, contact lenses, eye exams, and medically necessary eye surgeries. But cosmetic procedures, such as nonprescription eyewear and surgeries performed solely for aesthetic reasons, are not tax-deductible.
Table of contents
Eyeglasses and contact lenses can improve your vision and make life easier. But they can be inconvenient and costly to maintain over time. LASIK is a popular alternative for adults seeking clearer vision without corrective lenses. The procedure uses laser technology to treat vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
On average, LASIK can cost over $4,000, and most insurance plans don’t cover the procedure. But the IRS lets you deduct the cost as a medical expense on your taxes if you meet certain criteria.
Is LASIK eye surgery tax-deductible?
Yes, LASIK eye surgery is tax-deductible. According to IRS Publication 502, the amount you pay for eye surgery — including laser eye surgery — to treat vision problems is considered a qualified medical expense. The IRS defines qualified medical expenses as the costs you pay for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and cure of a health condition. Since laser eye surgery is generally performed to correct vision rather than for cosmetic purposes, it qualifies under the IRS definition of medical expenses.
Search and compare options
In addition to the cost of LASIK itself, you can deduct unreimbursed expenses related to the procedure. These include preoperative eye exams, transportation to and from appointments, and follow-up care after the surgery.
To claim medical expenses as deductions, you must itemize them on your tax return. The amount you can claim must also exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). When filing your tax return, you have two options: Take the standard deduction, which is a fixed amount set by the IRS, or itemize by listing individual deductions. These include medical expenses, mortgage interest, and charitable donations. Choose the option that works best for your tax situation, which is typically the one that lowers your tax bill the most.
If you’re unsure whether an expense qualifies as a tax deduction, save your receipts and ask a tax professional.
How much does LASIK cost?
The average cost of LASIK eye surgery is around $4,400 for both eyes or $2,200 per eye. But the amount you pay can vary depending on several factors. These include the surgeon’s experience, the laser technology used, and your location. Your cost may be higher with newer technology or more experienced surgeons.
Most private insurers and Medicare don’t cover LASIK. But some vision plans may offer discounts or partial coverage, so it’s worth checking with your provider.
If you have a flexible spending account or a health savings account, consider using these tax-advantaged plans to pay for LASIK. Doing so helps you save money by using pretax dollars for the procedure.
You can use a tax-advantaged account for vision expenses. Funds in health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts can be used to pay for LASIK surgery and other qualified vision care costs.
The rules for deducting health insurance premiums vary by situation. See if your premiums qualify for tax deductions and what documentation you need.
Your expenses may qualify for tax deductions if they’re medically necessary. Here’s a list of tax-deductible healthcare costs, including vision, dental, and more.
Many healthcare professionals offer financing options for LASIK. If you’re considering this route, ask about zero-interest payment plans. This can spread the cost over time without incurring additional charges.
How much can you deduct for LASIK?
The amount you can deduct for LASIK depends on your other unreimbursed medical expenses for the year. You can deduct only the portion that exceeds 7.5% of your AGI, which is known as the threshold. For example, if your AGI is $80,000, your threshold would be $6,000.
Let’s say your out-of-pocket medical expenses for the year are:
LASIK surgery: $4,400
Hearing aids: $3,000
Prescription medications: $500
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
These expenses add up to $7,900. Since this amount is over your $6,000 threshold, you could deduct $1,900 on your taxes if you itemize your deductions.
Keeping track of your healthcare costs and maintaining receipts throughout the year can help you plan and identify potential deductions. If your medical expenses add up significantly by the end of the year, itemizing your deductions could make sense and potentially lower your tax bill.
How do you deduct LASIK on your tax return?
To deduct LASIK on your tax return, you’ll need to itemize your deductions. Follow these steps:
Gather documentation: Collect receipts and records related to your LASIK procedure. These include payments for the surgery, preoperative visits, and follow-up care. Make sure these records show what you paid after insurance coverage or discounts.
Calculate total medical expenses: Add up your qualified medical expenses for the year. Include LASIK and other healthcare costs, such as medical visits, dental care, and prescription medications.
Check the threshold: Determine if your total medical and dental expenses exceed 7.5% of your AGI, since you can deduct only the amount above this threshold.
Compare deduction methods: Review whether itemizing your deductions gives you a larger tax benefit than taking the standard deduction.
Complete Schedule A: If you itemize your deductions, list eligible expenses on Schedule A (Form 1040). Add them up to calculate your total itemized deductions, and report them on Form 1040. This amount will replace the standard deduction on your tax return if it exceeds the standard deduction amount.
Tax rules can be complex, and everyone has a different situation. If you have questions, a tax professional can help you determine the best approach.
What other vision expenses are tax-deductible?
Many other vision-related expenses are considered qualified medical expenses by the IRS. These include care or products used to treat defective vision.
Keep in mind that vision expenses may be tax-deductible if they’re deemed medically necessary. One example is blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). When this procedure is done solely for cosmetic reasons to improve appearance, it isn’t tax-deductible. But if it’s performed to correct vision problems caused by drooping eyelids, it may be considered medically necessary and qualify as a deductible medical expense.
The following vision expenses may be tax-deductible if they are medically necessary:
Vision insurance premiums paid out-of-pocket
Contact lenses needed for medical reasons
Contact lens supplies, such as cleaning solutions and enzyme cleaners
Eye exams
Retina surgery
Radial keratotomy
Prescription eye drops or other medications prescribed for eye conditions
Supplies such as eye bandages
Transportation expenses to and from eye care appointments, including mileage and parking fees
Braille books and magazines, but only the amount that exceeds the price of the regular printed versions
You can deduct vision expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. To deduct your spouse’s expenses, you must have been married when the services were received or when you paid for them. The same applies to dependents. They must have been your dependent at the time of service or payment.
The bottom line
LASIK eye surgery, which costs around $4,400 for both eyes on average, may qualify as a tax-deductible medical expense under IRS guidelines. To claim it on your tax return, you’ll need to itemize your deductions, and your total medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Keep in mind that LASIK costs can vary depending on factors such as the surgeon, technology used, and location.
Other vision-related expenses — like prescription glasses, contact lenses, and medically necessary eye surgeries — may also qualify as tax deductions. You can deduct these expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents if they meet the IRS requirements.
Why trust our experts?
References
Internal Revenue Service. (2024). IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2024.
Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 502: Medical and dental expenses.
Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 502 (2024), medical and dental expenses.
Internal Revenue Service. (2025). About Schedule A (Form 1040), itemized deductions.
Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Definition of adjusted gross income.
Refractive Surgery Council. (2021). How much does LASIK cost?
