Laser eye surgery: how much does it cost?

The cost of laser eye surgery depends on which clinic you go to in the UK. It can range between £2,000 and £7,000 for both eyes.* Dr CT Pillai has performed more than 30,000 LASIK, LASEK and PRK procedures during his career and here he gives his expert opinion on why the prices differ and which of these laser eye surgery treatments he would recommend at his London clinic.
 

Why do laser eye surgery costs vary so much?

The costs vary so much because of different pricing strategies from different clinics. Some clinics will increase the cost depending on the level of prescription; the higher the prescription, the higher the cost. That means that for patients who have relatively low, non-complex prescriptions, they may be able to find cheaper treatments.

However, those who have moderate to high prescriptions end up being quoted a far higher price. Some clinics offer different standards of treatment and charge more for a superior visual correction. This is usually the difference between standard laser treatments vs. Wavefront-guided treatment, which is a newer technology in LASIK that uses guided lasers to reshape the cornea.

Advanced Wavefront laser is the newest generation treatment, which provides a customised and bespoke visual correction for each individual [1]; it has largely been adopted by the industry as the gold standard.

There are some clinics that charge low prices but these come at a cost given the laser treatments offered are using outdated lasers and/or are not performed with wavefront technology. Those with larger pupils and complicated prescriptions are unsuitable for the procedure.

This model of increasing the cost of the procedure dependent on prescription, pupil size and technology is unfair and unethical. The laser performs the same whether it is a low or high prescription given there are no other additional costs involved for the consumables, software or performance of the laser.
 

Which laser eye treatment would you recommend?

I always recommend only the best available treatment for my patients. Although older techniques do still exist worldwide, there is no point in offering a less superior form of visual correction if there is a better, more modern and successful treatment available.

Therefore at my London laser clinic, we offer only Advanced Wavefront laser treatment. I do not offer my patients the choice, it is either the best treatment or no treatment at all. After all, this is an elective surgery and it is my duty of care to recommend the best possible treatment to ensure patient satisfaction, good clinical and visual outcomes, and safety.

I also do not believe in charging more for higher prescriptions when it comes to laser treatments. Patients should not be penalised for their level of refractive error given there is no scientific evidence the laser cost needs to be different depending on prescription, this may apply to buying glasses and contact lenses but this is not applicable to the refractive industry.

At my clinic Advanced Vision Care, we offer transparent pricing. The cost of laser treatment is the same irrespective of prescription level and all procedures are performed using advanced wavefront technology. This is with the Bausch & Lomb Teneo M2 excimer laser, which is the safest and fastest treating laser in the world as the treatment takes between 3 to 5 seconds.
 

What advice do you have for people choosing a laser eye surgery clinic?

Private refractive surgery clinics are grouped into consultant-led clinics and high street chains. I recommend the former. I cannot stress the importance of fully informed consent and who best to carry this out than the consultant who is carrying out the procedure? A comprehensive consultation is required to establish suitability and this can only be done by the treating surgeon.

It is quite common to have a specialist refractive trained optometrist carry out the initial consultation, which is absolutely fine, but ultimately the treatment decision and consenting process should be carried out by the surgeon. A face to face consultation is far better than remote telephone consultations. It is important to get a feel for your surgeon and trust and be comfortable with them, so I always recommend a clinic where you can meet and talk to your surgeon.

Aftercare policy is extremely important when considering laser eye surgery. Ensure that you are provided with a comprehensive aftercare scheme. Although laser eye surgery is considered very safe, there are associated risks and complications which can occur in rare instances. In these rare instances, you want to know that you’re going to be looked after and not have to worry about excessive charges. It is important to make sure that your aftercare is truly comprehensive when considering the cost of treatment, this should include a one year follow up program, as the 3 to 6 months offered by some other clinics is not enough time when considering the unpredictability of corneal healing.


*Prices listed in May 2019

Do not hesitate to book an appointment with Dr CT Pillai at his clinic Advanced Vision Care in Marylebone, London.


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References [1] Sutton GL, Kim P. Laser in situ keratomileusis in 2010 - a review. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 2010; 38(2): 192-210.