Limited-Time Offer
Expires 01/06/25
Get a 0.50% discount on your next loan from SoFi, NerdWallet's 2024 Best Personal Loan winner. Offer expires 01/06/25. Click on "View details" for offer terms*
View details
Offer terms:
SoFi Personal Loan: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
8.99-29.99%
Loan amount
$5K-$100K
Min. credit score
None
View details
Qualifications:
Qualified borrowers will find few lenders better than SoFi, thanks to thoughtful perks like unemployment protection and free financial advising.
- Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent or non-permanent resident, including DACA recipients and asylum seekers.
- Must be employed, have sufficient income from another source, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
- Acceptable income sources: Employment, spouse’s income, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
- Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
- Late fee: None.
Upstart: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
7.80-35.99%
Loan amount
$1K-$50K
Min. credit score
None
View details
Qualifications:
A good option for new-credit borrowers seeking quick funding.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
- Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
- Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
- Must have a full- or part-time job, a full-time job offer starting within six months or another source of regular income.
- Must have a personal bank account at a U.S. financial institution with a routing number.
- No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
- No current delinquent accounts on your credit reports.
- Fewer than six hard inquiries on your credit report in the last six months, excluding student, auto and mortgage loans.
- Minimum credit score: None.
- Minimum annual income: $12,000.
- Origination: 0% to 12%.
- Late fee: 5% of the unpaid amount or $15, whichever is greater.
- Insufficient funds fee: $15.
Upgrade: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
9.99-35.99%
Loan amount
$1K-$50K
Min. credit score
580
View details
Qualifications:
Upgrade personal loans come with multiple rate discounts and offer direct payment to creditors. This lender has a low minimum credit score requirement, making the perks stand out even more.
- Minimum credit score: 580.
- Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage payments.
- Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
- Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, disability benefits and other sources.
- Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
- Late Fee: $10.
- Failed payment fee: $10.
Discover® Personal Loans: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
7.99-24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5K-$40K
Min. credit score
660
View details
Qualifications:
Discover targets excellent credit borrowers with no fees, quick funding, and a variety of repayment options.
- Minimum credit score: 660.
- Minimum annual household income: $25,000. Income can come from employment, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
- Must provide a valid U.S. address and email address.
- Must be 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: $39.
LightStream: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
6.99-25.29%
Loan amount
$5K-$100K
Min. credit score
660
View details
Qualifications:
LightStream is a solid option for good-credit borrowers, with no fees and low rates that vary based on loan purpose.
- Minimum credit score: 660, but can vary depending on the loan purpose and amount.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%.
- Minimum credit history: 3 years.
- Income sources accepted: Employment, retirement, rental income, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a U.S. bank account.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: None.
SoFi Personal Loan: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
Loan amount
Min. credit score
View details
Qualifications:
Qualified borrowers will find few lenders better than SoFi, thanks to thoughtful perks like unemployment protection and free financial advising.
- Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent or non-permanent resident, including DACA recipients and asylum seekers.
- Must be employed, have sufficient income from another source, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
- Acceptable income sources: Employment, spouse’s income, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
- Origination fee: 0% to 7%.
- Late fee: None.
Upstart: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
Loan amount
Min. credit score
View details
Qualifications:
A good option for new-credit borrowers seeking quick funding.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S.
- Must be at least 18 years old in most states.
- Must have a valid email address and Social Security number.
- Must have a full- or part-time job, a full-time job offer starting within six months or another source of regular income.
- Must have a personal bank account at a U.S. financial institution with a routing number.
- No bankruptcies in the last 12 months.
- No current delinquent accounts on your credit reports.
- Fewer than six hard inquiries on your credit report in the last six months, excluding student, auto and mortgage loans.
- Minimum credit score: None.
- Minimum annual income: $12,000.
- Origination: 0% to 12%.
- Late fee: 5% of the unpaid amount or $15, whichever is greater.
- Insufficient funds fee: $15.
Upgrade: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
Loan amount
Min. credit score
View details
Qualifications:
Upgrade personal loans come with multiple rate discounts and offer direct payment to creditors. This lender has a low minimum credit score requirement, making the perks stand out even more.
- Minimum credit score: 580.
- Minimum number of accounts on credit history: One account.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 75%, including mortgage payments.
- Minimum length of credit history: Two years.
- Minimum income requirement: None. Lender accepts income from alimony, retirement, child support, Social Security, disability benefits and other sources.
- Origination fee: 1.85% to 9.99%.
- Late Fee: $10.
- Failed payment fee: $10.
Discover® Personal Loans: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
Loan amount
Min. credit score
View details
Qualifications:
Discover targets excellent credit borrowers with no fees, quick funding, and a variety of repayment options.
- Minimum credit score: 660.
- Minimum annual household income: $25,000. Income can come from employment, retirement, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
- Must provide a valid U.S. address and email address.
- Must be 18 years old with a valid Social Security number.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: $39.
LightStream: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
Est. APR
Loan amount
Min. credit score
View details
Qualifications:
LightStream is a solid option for good-credit borrowers, with no fees and low rates that vary based on loan purpose.
- Minimum credit score: 660, but can vary depending on the loan purpose and amount.
- Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%.
- Minimum credit history: 3 years.
- Income sources accepted: Employment, retirement, rental income, alimony, child support, Social Security payments and disability benefits.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a U.S. bank account.
- Origination fee: None.
- Late fee: None.
What is a personal loan for LASIK financing?
Unsecured personal loans are flexible financing because you can use them for almost any purpose, including LASIK. They don’t require collateral, and borrowers repay their loans in fixed, monthly installments that make budgeting more predictable.
And while personal loans can be expensive, starting interest rates for excellent-credit borrowers are typically lower than credit card rates.
You can get a personal loan from a credit union, bank or online lender. Factors like time to fund, rate ranges and loan amounts vary for each. To find a loan with monthly payments and rates that fit your budget, it’s best to compare offers from multiple lenders.
» MORE: Best medical loans
How to compare LASIK eye surgery loans
APR. Annual percentage rates on personal loans typically range from 6% to 36%, depending on your credit. The lowest rates go to borrowers with good to excellent credit (690 or higher).
Fees. Some lenders charge a one-time origination fee, which covers the cost of processing the loan. The fee is usually 1% to 10% of the loan amount, and most lenders subtract it from the loan before disbursement.
Loan amount. Personal loan amounts typically range from $1,000 to $100,000. Determine the amount you need to borrow for LASIK eye surgery before applying for a loan.
Loan term. This is the amount of time you have to repay the loan, usually two to seven years. A shorter repayment term means a lower interest cost but a larger monthly payment. Use NerdWallet’s personal loan calculator to see estimated payments with various repayment terms.
Time to fund. Once a loan application is approved, some lenders can disburse loan funds as quickly as the same day, but some may take up to a week. When you need LASIK financing, time to fund could be a key factor to consider.
Pre-qualify for a LASIK eye surgery loan
Most online lenders allow you to pre-qualify to see a loan’s terms, interest rate and monthly payments before you commit. This typically involves a soft credit check, which doesn’t hurt your credit and allows you to shop around and compare loan offers from multiple lenders.
Pre-qualify with NerdWallet to compare lenders and receive personalized rates.
Alternative LASIK financing options
Consider these other financing options and ways to save before taking a loan.
Finance through the provider. LASIK surgeons may offer in-house financing, sometimes with no interest. Ask the provider for details, including repayment terms and fees.
Check for discounts with your health insurance provider. Even if they don’t cover the cost of the procedure, some health insurance companies will negotiate with LASIK providers to offer discounts to members that lower the procedure’s cost.
Specialty credit cards. Some LASIK providers may accept CareCredit, a specialty credit card for medical expenses. The standard APR for CareCredit is 29.99%, but it also offers short-term financing options at 0% interest for charges of $200 or more if paid in full by the end of the term (6, 12, 18 or 24 months).
0% interest card. If you have good or excellent credit (a score of 690 and above), you may qualify for a 0% interest credit card. These cards have an introductory period — typically 15 to 21 months — when you won’t incur interest on purchases. However, you must pay off the balance before the period ends, or you’ll be on the hook for the interest charges.
» MORE: Best cosmetic surgery loans
Last updated on December 15, 2023
Frequently asked questions
- Can you pay monthly for LASIK eye surgery?
Yes. You can apply for LASIK financing through a personal loan lender or sometimes directly through the LASIK provider, which allows you to pay the cost in monthly installments. Before committing to a loan, pre-qualify to compare lenders and find an affordable rate.
- 35+ personal loans reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 20+ years of combined experience covering personal loans and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 20+ categories and 70+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 35 financial technology companies and financial institutions. We collect over 50 data points and cross-check company websites, earnings reports and other public documents to confirm product details. We may also go through a lender’s pre-qualification flow and follow up with company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer consumer-friendly features, including: soft credit checks to pre-qualify, competitive interest rates and no fees, transparency of rates and terms, flexible payment options, fast funding times, accessible customer service, reporting of payments to credit bureaus and financial education. Our ratings award fewer points to lenders with practices that may make a loan difficult to repay on time, such as charging high annual percentage rates (above 36%), underwriting that does not adequately assess consumers’ ability to repay and lack of credit-building help. We also consider regulatory actions filed by agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to consumers and how meaningfully they impact consumers’ experiences.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for personal loans and our editorial guidelines.
NerdWallet's LASIK Financing: Compare Personal Loans for Eye Surgery
- SoFi Personal Loan: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
- Upstart: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
- Upgrade: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
- Discover® Personal Loans: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
- LightStream: Best for LASIK eye surgery loans
