What is laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery, otherwise known as laser vision correction, is a medical procedure that’s performed by an ophthalmologist. This procedure uses a laser to reshape the surface of the eye to correct a variety of vision problems.
Some issues that are addressed by laser eye surgery include:
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Diabetic eye diseases
- Some cases of age-related macular degeneration
- Some cases of glaucoma
- Retinal tears
- Retinopathy in premature babies
- Cataracts.
If you're considering laser eye surgery, then contact your optometrist, eye care specialist or a laser eye surgery provider to check your suitability for the procedure.
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
The three most common types of laser eye surgery are PRK (also known as ASLA), LASIK and SMILE. Each of these involves a different method, and each can have a different cost attached.
Generally speaking, clinics will quote a cost ‘per eye’, so you may wish to consider this when comparing costs. Laser eye surgery costs or astigmatism surgery costs may also vary due to factors such as your location, your specific medical needs and the specialist you choose.
The cost you're charged for the surgery will often be comprehensive and will include your initial appointment along with testing, the procedure itself and follow-up care. If you would like an itemised breakdown of laser eye surgery costs, though, it would be advisable to check with the individual laser eye surgery provider.
What does PRK laser eye surgery cost?
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), also known as ASLA (advanced surface laser), is where a surgeon removes the layer of cells surrounding the cornea, then uses a laser to reshape it. It’s generally used to correct short and long-sightedness as well as astigmatism.
Potential cost range of PRK eye surgery: $1,788 - $3,400 per eye
What does LASIK laser eye surgery cost?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is where a surgeon uses a laser to create a thin flap on the surface of the cornea. They then reshape the cornea and close the flap, where it will adhere naturally, potentially allowing for a quicker recovery time than other procedures. LASIK is generally used to correct short and long-sightedness as well as astigmatism.
Potential cost range of LASIK eye surgery: $2,500 - $4,712.49 per eye
What does SMILE laser eye surgery cost?
SMILE (small incision lenticular extraction) is a so-called ‘flapless’ laser eye procedure where a surgeon uses a laser to create a small disc-shaped piece of tissue, known as a ‘lenticule’, within the cornea. The disc is then removed through a small incision in the cornea, thus changing the shape of the cornea. SMILE is generally used to correct short-sightedness as well as astigmatism.
Potential cost range of SMILE eye surgery: $3,000 - $5,183.74 per eye
Sources: QLD Laser Vision, Sydney Eye Clinic, Personal Eyes, Ivision Laser, Eastside Eye Care, VSON, Focus Vision and Vista Eyes. The use of these sources does not constitute an endorsement of these laser eye surgery providers or the services they offer.
Other laser eye surgery related costs
While some providers may quote you an all-inclusive price per eye, there may be others that don’t include these additional costs:
- Initial consultation: Some providers may offer a free assessment to better understand your eligibility for laser eye surgery, while others may charge a fee for this consultation. You may also need a referral from your GP or optometrist to get a free consultation.
- Medication: After your surgery is complete, you’ll usually need to take eye drops or other medication to assist in your recovery. Some providers may supply you with the relevant medication at no extra cost, while others may require you to buy the medication yourself.
- Follow-up appointments: You’ll generally need to attend check-ups after your surgery to ensure that your eyes are healing correctly. These appointments may come at an additional cost—depending on your provider.
- Enhancement surgery: Depending on your medical condition, you may require enhancement surgery after your initial procedure to help fine-tune your vision. This additional procedure is likely to come at an extra cost to you, so it’s worth asking your provider about how likely you are to need it.
Due to these potential additional costs, it’s worth discussing the costs you’re likely to face with your chosen laser eye surgery provider during the initial consultation.
Is laser eye surgery covered by Medicare?
Medicare does not provide any rebate for the cost of laser eye surgery, as it’s considered to be an elective procedure. However, there may be exceptions if the treatment is medically necessary. For example, Medicare does cover the cost of cataract surgery in a public hospital, however it does not cover the cost of premium lenses and potentially some specialist fees.
Does private health insurance cover laser eye surgery?
Some private health insurance providers in Australia will offer coverage for laser eye surgery, however, it may be limited and/or restricted to selected, high levels of cover (e.g. Gold Hospital Cover or top-level extras cover). You will typically need to serve a waiting period before you can claim—generally two years or more depending on the policy.
Some health insurance providers will only allow you to claim up to a maximum amount per year for laser eye surgery. For instance, at the time of writing, Ahm’s Lifestyle Extras policy covers laser eye surgery, but only to a maximum of $600 per person per year, with a lifetime limit of $1,200 and a 24-month waiting period. Medibank’s Gold Ultra Health policy also covers laser eye surgery, but with a lifetime limit of $3,500 per person and a 36 month waiting period.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery and you have private health insurance, it could be worthwhile talking to your insurance provider and your laser eye surgery specialist about the costs, how much cover you might receive and what out-of-pocket costs you will have to pay, and when you will have to pay them.
How can you pay for laser eye surgery?
Given the limited cover available and/or long waiting periods associated with cover, or if you don’t have private health insurance, you may find that the most accessible option for laser eye surgery is to pay it out of pocket. While some lenders offer medical personal loans to pay for elective surgeries, borrowing money comes with associated risks and costs. Some laser eye surgery providers offer payment plans which could make budgeting for and repaying the cost of surgery more straightforward.
If you know in advance that you wish to have laser eye surgery and decide to pay upfront for the procedure, another option may be to save up and put your money into a high-interest savings account. This way, you may earn interest on your money as you await the procedure, rather than being charged interest on a loan and accruing debt.
Is laser eye surgery painful?
According to laser eye surgery provider Lasersight, most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure, with any mild irritation post-surgery generally resolving within a few days. They also say that you’ll be required to take time off work for the procedure, but you should be able to return to work the following day depending on your occupation.
Is laser eye surgery worth it in the long term?
Whether laser eye surgery is worth it for you will ultimately depend on your healthcare needs, age, lifestyle and financial situation. Laser eye surgery can offer long-term vision correction and reduce the need for glasses and/or contact lenses. However, it doesn’t prevent age-related changes to your vision.
It’s important to consider the high initial cost of laser eye surgery, as well as how much you usually spend on your current optical needs. It may be a worthwhile investment if it outweighs the long-term expenses of glasses, contact lenses and trips to the optometrist.
