The most cost-effective way will always be a pair of glasses.

I’m too poor and cowardly to have a laser fix my eyes.

Glasses usually have obscene markups. Imo, the most cost effective way is often lasik (or similar), but it’s an up front cost.

I think I paid 4k usd for both eyes, but that was something like 10 years ago and with no assistance from insurance.

I still get an eye exam every few years just to make sure everything is okay, but I am expecting another 10 years before I need too start thinking about vision correction again. Also, I’m fairly certain the provider that performed my lasik offered a warranty and would perform additional corrections as I age, but I don’t live anywhere near the location anymore.

When I compare that to the combined cost of insurance, exams, glasses, contacts, and prescription sunglasses that my wife pays… lasik was a significant cost savings for me (and that’s not counting any quality of life benefits).

I pay $100 for my eye exam and $150 for my glasses every couple years.

It would take 30+ years for that cost to reach the Lasik levels you paid, and that’s assuming I’m not doing anything with the $3750 remaining after the first appointment.