ICL surgery costs about $3,500 to $7,500 per eye in 2026
ICL, short for implantable collamer lens, places a thin lens inside the eye to fix nearsight. Eye centers put the cost at about $3,500 to $7,500 per eye, including the surgeon, the center fee, tests and follow up visits. That is about $7,000 to $15,000 for both eyes. CareCredit lists a national average of $4,935. Insurance usually does not pay, because ICL is elective.
What ICL costs
| National average, CareCredit | $4,935 |
|---|---|
| Range, CareCredit | $3,800 to $9,405 |
| Per eye, NVISION | $3,500 to $5,000 |
| Per eye all in, Brinton Vision | $4,500 to $7,500 |
| The lens alone, per eye | $500 to $1,500 |
| One Utah center, all in | $3,900 per eye |
| One Chicago center | $4,000 to $6,000 per eye |
Most centers quote per eye. Most people have both eyes done, so double the per eye price for your total. Sources: CareCredit, ICL eye surgery cost and procedure (June 2026); NVISION Eye Centers, how much Visian ICL costs (October 2024); Brinton Vision, how much EVO ICL surgery costs (checked September 2026); Utah Valley Eye Center, EVO ICL pricing (April 2026); Kraff Eye Institute, ICL surgery cost in Chicago (2023).
What changes your price
- Your prescription. A toric lens for astigmatism costs more than a standard lens.
- The surgeon. Skilled, well known surgeons charge more.
- Your city. Prices are higher in big cities.
- What is included. Some prices include tests and follow ups. Others bill them apart.
- Both eyes or one. Most prices are per eye.
What the price includes
Brinton Vision says the lens itself costs about $500 to $1,500 per eye. The rest of the bill is the surgeon's time, the surgery center fee, the eye exam and the follow up visits. Together that comes to $4,500 to $7,500 per eye nationally.
Some centers quote one price for everything. Utah Valley Eye Center, for example, lists $3,900 per eye including the full evaluation and testing. Others quote the surgery only, so ask what is left out.
CareCredit notes the FDA has approved ICL in the U.S. for moderate to severe nearsight, with or without astigmatism. It is not approved in the U.S. for farsight. Newer lenses, approved in 2022, have a small hole in the center that helps with eye pressure. NVISION says insurance usually does not pay because ICL is elective, but you can use FSA or HSA money, and some vision discount plans take about 20 percent off. Sources: Brinton Vision, how much EVO ICL surgery costs (checked September 2026); Utah Valley Eye Center, EVO ICL pricing (April 2026); CareCredit, ICL eye surgery cost and procedure (June 2026); NVISION Eye Centers, how much Visian ICL costs (October 2024).
ICL compared with LASIK
LASIK reshapes the cornea with a laser. ICL leaves the cornea alone and adds a lens inside the eye. Our LASIK cost page puts LASIK at about $2,246 per eye on average, so ICL often costs about twice as much.
ICL is often suggested for people with high prescriptions or thin corneas who are not good LASIK patients. The lens can also be taken out later if needed. Ask your surgeon which one fits your eyes.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the price is per eye or for both eyes.
- Ask what is included: tests, the surgery center, drops and follow ups.
- Ask if you need a toric lens, and what it adds.
- Compare with $3,500 to $7,500 per eye, the usual all in range.
Ways to pay less
- Use FSA or HSA money, which lowers your real cost.
- Ask your vision plan about a discount on eye surgery.
- Get a consult at two centers. Many consults are free.
- Ask about 0 percent financing, and read the terms before you sign.
How we got these numbers
The ranges come from eye centers and a national average published by CareCredit, as listed below. Prices differ by center, so we show the range rather than one number. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does ICL surgery cost?
About $3,500 to $7,500 per eye in 2026, or about $7,000 to $15,000 for both eyes.
Does insurance cover ICL?
Usually not, because it is elective. FSA, HSA and vision discount plans can help.
Is ICL more expensive than LASIK?
Yes. ICL often costs about twice as much per eye as LASIK.
What does the ICL price include?
Usually the lens, surgeon, center fee, exam and follow ups. Ask your center to be sure.