As progressive, technology-focused lovers of the outdoors, San Francisco residents let nothing get in their way. So if you are still dependent on prescription glasses or contact lenses, it is time to put them aside. Laser vision correction in San Francisco offers patients a completely new way of living, and if you are searching for the best LASIK surgeon or laser eye surgery in the Bay Area, you are in the right place.
At IQ Laser Vision, our Daly City clinic sits just minutes from downtown San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Marin County, serving Bay Area patients with the most advanced laser eye surgery technology available anywhere in the USA. Whether you are exploring All-Laser LASIK, ZEISS SMILE, EVO ICL, or PRK, our team will match the right procedure to your unique eyes and lifestyle, with your safety always the first priority.
When it comes to laser eye surgery in San Francisco, the most important decision you will make is choosing your surgeon. At IQ Laser Vision, you will be cared for by Dr. Amy L. Barrion, a board-certified ophthalmologist, laser refractive surgeon, and 25-year United States Navy veteran who has performed over 15,000 vision correction procedures.
Dr. Barrion has dedicated over 20 years exclusively to laser vision correction, first for the nation's military and now for the patients of Northern California. During her military career, she served as Chief of the Medical Staff, Ophthalmology Department Chair, and Head of Refractive Surgery, performing procedures on active-duty service members whose vision had to meet the strictest safety and performance standards in the world. That same precision and discipline is what every IQ Laser Vision patient receives today.
She is a member of the American Academy of ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and has participated in multiple surgical humanitarian outreach missions in Central America. Her approach is deeply personal, shaped by the vision loss of a close family member over 20 years ago, and reflected in every patient interaction she has since.
"Being a guardian of vision has been my life's work. I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to care for yours."
Every patient's eyes are unique. That is why we offer the full spectrum of modern laser and lens-based vision correction procedures, giving Dr. Barrion the flexibility to recommend what is genuinely right for you.
All-Laser LASIK (SOFT TOUCH Comfort Micro-LASIK®) uses bladeless femtosecond laser technology for precise flap creation, followed by the Alcon EX500 excimer laser for custom vision correction. Most patients see clearly within 24 hours. LASIK is the world's most studied elective surgery, backed by over 30 years of safety data.
ZEISS SMILE is the most advanced flapless laser vision correction procedure available today. Using the ZEISS VisuMax laser, a tiny disc of corneal tissue is removed through a small keyhole incision, no flap required. The result is faster healing, less dry eye risk, and excellent visual outcomes. IQ Laser Vision is the #1 ZEISS SMILE center in the USA.
EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is ideal for patients who are not candidates for laser surgery due to thin corneas, high prescriptions, or severe dry eye. A micro-thin lens is implanted behind the iris without removing any corneal tissue. The procedure is reversible, UV-protective, and often delivers clarity beyond what glasses or contacts ever provided. IQ Laser Vision is also the #1 EVO ICL center in the USA.
PRK / LASEK remains an excellent option for patients with thinner corneas or conditions that rule out LASIK or SMILE. Visual outcomes are equivalent to LASIK, with a slightly longer recovery of 5 to 7 days. PRK is also preferred for certain athletes and military personnel due to the absence of a flap.
Contoura LASIK uses topographic mapping of your cornea's unique surface to guide the laser with a level of personalisation beyond standard LASIK, producing superior contrast sensitivity and night vision outcomes in clinical studies.
| Procedure | How It Works | Typical Recovery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Laser LASIK | Femtosecond flap and excimer laser correction | 24 hours | Healthy corneas, mild to moderate prescriptions |
| ZEISS SMILE | Flapless lenticule removal via keyhole incision | 1 to 2 days | Active lifestyles, dry eye, athletes |
| EVO ICL | Implantable, reversible Collamer lens | 1 to 2 days | High prescriptions, thin corneas |
| PRK / LASEK | Surface ablation, no flap | 5 to 7 days | Thin corneas, military and contact athletes |
| Contoura LASIK | Topography-guided custom LASIK | 24 hours | Patients seeking premium night vision and contrast |
Patients who understand what to expect feel far more confident moving forward. Here is the IQ Laser Vision experience from start to finish.
Your surgeon will discuss your lifestyle, eye health, and vision goals. A full diagnostic assessment takes place, including topography, tomography, wavefront aberrometry, and corneal thickness measurement. Dr. Barrion reviews your results personally, explains which procedures you qualify for, and provides a detailed cost breakdown. No pressure, no obligation. The consultation is completely free and takes approximately 90 minutes. You can also start with our quick vision correction self-test.
Numbing eye drops are applied so you feel no pain. Depending on your recommended procedure, advanced laser technology is used to reshape your cornea precisely. For both eyes combined, the procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
No bandages or stitches are needed. Arrange for someone to drive you home, as your eyes will still be numb immediately after surgery. Some tenderness and temporary blurry vision are normal and resolve within days. Most patients return to normal activities within one week, with full results developing over several weeks. Regular follow-ups at our San Francisco laser eye center are included in your care. For broader information about LASIK safety and outcomes, see the American Academy of Ophthalmology resource on LASIK.
LASIK eye surgery in San Francisco is highly successful, but it is not right for everyone. You may be a strong candidate if you are:
If you do not qualify for LASIK, there is no need to worry. Patients with thin corneas, high prescriptions, dry eye, or irregular astigmatism may be excellent candidates for ZEISS SMILE or EVO ICL instead. Patients over 40 with age-related vision changes may be better suited to refractive lens exchange. IQ Laser Vision offers the full spectrum of vision correction procedures precisely so that every patient leaves with the right solution for their eyes, not a compromise.
Beyond laser correction, we also offer pterygium removal in San Francisco and comprehensive care from our skilled cataract surgeon in San Francisco.
You may have heard that LASIK has a 96% patient satisfaction rate. While this is impressive, at IQ Laser Vision, our patients experience superior results, with over 99% experiencing uncorrected vision within one line of the best correctable vision.
In other words, that means that they see with 20/20 vision! 99.9% of patients have 20/40 vision post-procedure, which is the minimum needed to pass your driver's test. Our rate of correction for patients is far below the national average for enhancement, which is 10%.
Ours is below 1%! Anyone considering LASIK, ZEISS SMILE, the EVO ICL, or other laser eye surgeries in San Francisco and the surrounding area can feel confident in these superior results.
Cost is one of the most common questions patients ask before booking a consultation. All-Laser LASIK at IQ Laser Vision starts from $150 per month for 36 months interest-free. Pricing for ZEISS SMILE, EVO ICL, and PRK is confirmed at your free consultation based on your prescription and recommended procedure.
All pricing includes your pre-operative exams, surgery, and all post-operative follow-up appointments. FSA and HSA eligibility applies to many procedures, and our team can walk you through every financing option available.
What if you could ditch your glasses and contacts for only $8 a day? With a free LASIK consultation and no-interest financing, visual freedom is within reach.
LASIK Cost CalculatorAt IQ Laser Vision, it is our privilege to offer our patients the ZEISS SMILE procedure. With ZEISS SMILE, millions of patients worldwide have achieved visual freedom from their glasses and contact lenses. Many patients prefer ZEISS SMILE because it's a gentler and minimally invasive laser vision correction procedure with less risk for complications during recovery. Not only does IQ Laser Vision offer our patients ZEISS SMILE, but we are also one of the only vision correction centers in the country using the GALILEI Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer and Arcscan.
The GALILEI Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer captures precise elevation data in the physical layout of your eyes with corneal topography. IQ Laser Vision is one of only two vision centers in the country to invest in and use this technology. Arcscan creates an ultrasound of the eye without contact, while also using corneal topography to create an individual map of your cornea. Utilizing these tools on our San Francisco patients helps diagnose otherwise undetectable conditions in the cornea. These undetectable conditions may prevent potential patients from safely undergoing a laser vision correction procedure like LASIK or ZEISS SMILE.
Micro-LASIK is another state-of-the-art procedure we offer our San Francisco patients and the surrounding areas. Micro-LASIK is a topography-guided custom procedure that minimizes the incidence of halos and glare. IQ Laser Vision is a pioneer of the All Laser Soft Touch Comfort Micro-LASIK technique practiced by ophthalmologists globally. All Laser Soft Touch Comfort Micro-LASIK technology creates a much thinner flap in the cornea. The flap created is significantly thinner than the one made during a conventional LASIK procedure that provides access to the stroma for treatment.
Another way that we prove our commitment to our patients is because we're the first and only eye care center in California to upgrade to the 400 Hz Eye Tracker for the Nidek EC-5000 laser. These eye trackers ensure that even if our San Francisco patients move their eyes during their vision correction procedures, they can still achieve optimal results. You'll find that there are almost no ophthalmology centers in Northern California invested in this progressive tracking technology.
Our clinic at 2001 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City is directly accessible from across the Bay Area:
Follow-up appointments can also be attended at our San Ramon or Santa Clara offices for added flexibility.
"The experience that one has from the start is spectacular. The personnel were very attentive and treated me with care. The surgery was fast but surely an ethical process. Extremely happy with my operation. I definitely recommend Dr. Mattioli."
"The whole process (free consultation + actual surgery + post-check) is pretty smooth and clear. People are very friendly and helpful. I had a good experience here. And of course, my eye works pretty well now. (1 month after)"
"Before I got my LASIK done, I had 20/100 vision. It's been a month since I got my Lasik treatment done and now, I see 20/20. Such a friendly staff!"
There is no easier way to find out whether LASIK, ZEISS SMILE, EVO ICL, or PRK is right for you. In 90 minutes, Dr. Barrion will give you a complete picture of your vision, your options, and what results you can realistically expect, backed by over 20 years of experience and 15,000+ successful procedures.
Serving patients from San Francisco, Marin County, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay. To get started, book a consultation online or complete the form below.
All-Laser LASIK at IQ Laser Vision starts from approximately $150 per month for 36 months interest-free, equivalent to about $8 a day. Pricing for ZEISS SMILE, EVO ICL, and PRK depends on your prescription and recommended procedure, and is confirmed at your free consultation. All pricing includes pre-operative exams, surgery, and post-operative follow-up appointments.
The procedure itself takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes combined. You should plan to be at the clinic for around two hours total, including pre-operative preparation and a brief post-operative rest period.
Patients with thin corneas, high prescriptions, chronic dry eye, or irregular astigmatism may still be excellent candidates for ZEISS SMILE, EVO ICL, or PRK. Patients over 40 with age-related vision changes may be better suited to refractive lens exchange. A consultation with Dr. Barrion will identify the right procedure for your eyes.
Most LASIK and ZEISS SMILE patients return to work and normal activities within 1 to 2 days. PRK recovery typically takes 5 to 7 days. You should avoid swimming, eye makeup, and rubbing your eyes for the first one to two weeks, and follow your surgeon's full recovery instructions for the best results.
Wondering how to get started? Please complete the fields below to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options with our eye doctors!
You can also Call 1-415-493-2020 to speak with our staff.
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