Laser eye surgery gets amazing results but many people are put off by the cost. Of course, undergoing specialist surgery will mean a bigger outlay at first. Over time, however, could laser eye surgery actually be cheaper than contacts? We can help you find out!
A closer look at the figures
Both laser eye surgery and contact lenses will incur costs. How do these add up? Let’s take a closer look:
The costs of non-surgical vision correction
- Contact lenses. If you’re buying daily disposable lenses, the average cost is around 90p a day, or £330 a year. Of course, it’s cheaper to buy contacts for monthly use, but then you’ll need to factor in the cost of a cleaning solution.
- Contact lens solution. If you’re not disposing of your contacts every day, you’ll need to clean them. Contact lens solution costs around £8 for a month’s supply, adding up to just under £100 every year.
- Prescription glasses. Why shell out for prescription glasses when you already have contacts? Experts recommend that you only wear contact lenses for a maximum of 8 hours in every day. So while you’re not sleeping, you’ll need something to help you see. The price of prescription glasses will vary widely depending on your choice of frames, and added extras like bifocal lenses or UV protection will bring the cost up. A cheap pair of glasses once a year might cost you around £100.
- Regular eye tests. Our vision changes over time, so it’s important to have regular eye examinations to ensure that your prescription remains accurate. Many people get free eye tests, but if you pay for yours, you might shell out around £25 a time.
Looking at these figures, it’s easy to see how a contact lens user might easily spend upwards of £500 a year on vision correction. So, could laser eye surgery be a cheaper option than contacts?
The cost of laser eye surgery
Laser eye surgery is priced per eye. The actual cost will depend on a few different factors, including your prescription, the type of procedure you opt for, and the expertise of the surgeon. Typical prices for standard LASIK surgery start from around £1,500 per eye. Our prices are listed here.
Could you save money by opting for laser eye surgery?
If you’re wondering if laser eye surgery might be a cost-effective choice for you, it’s easy to find out. Start by getting 2 or 3 quotes from different clinics, to get an idea of how much your surgery is likely to cost.
Priceless benefits
Cost is a really important factor when deciding on laser eye surgery – but it’s not the only thing that matters. Laser eye surgery can also have a positive effect on your quality of life – something it’s hard to put a price on. If you’re weighing up the pros and cons of laser eye surgery, the results of this study into patient satisfaction rates following surgery is a real eye opener. You can also compare some of the advantages and disadvantages of contacts and laser eye surgery to help you make an informed decision that’s right for you.
