Laser eye surgery cost and what to consider

The cost of laser eye surgery is an important consideration when you’re deciding whether or not to have the LASIK or LASEK procedure. How much laser eye surgery costs depends on the type and complexity of the procedure.

If you have questions about laser eye surgery and the options that are available for you, please call us on 0203 369 2020, or request a call back.

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100

years

of combined eye
surgery experience

45k

plus

eye surgeries
completed

550

plus

lectures nationally
and internationally

How much does laser eye surgery cost?

Laser eye surgery costs, on average, about £1500 per eye, or more if you have a high prescription. While this may sound like a big outlay, it’s a sound investment you won’t regret, and one that compares very favourably to the cost of glasses or contact lenses. Some laser eye treatments can also be covered by health insurance, so it’s well worth checking your policy.

At OCL Vision, the cost of laser eye surgery varies. Depending on the type of procedure and the complexity of the prescription, it can cost between £3950 and £5000 for both eyes. These costs also include an initial consultation and follow-up appointments.

Are after-care costs included?

No doubt you may require ongoing, albeit occasional after-care post operation. For some clinics, there are additional costs involved beyond the quoted operation costs. As someone considering having surgery done, it is very important to make sure you know where you stand as far as any after-care costs are concerned.

Reputable clinics will include any check-up in the periods after the surgery as part of the laser eye surgery cost. Always be clear what your quote includes before you sign up for your procedure. For those of you worrying ‘how long laser eye surgery will last‘, you will be pleased to learn that the correction is permanent in the majority of cases.

Are prices fixed and do they cover all prescriptions?

Operating a one price fits all system for surgery is a little bit complicated. Prior to an individual consultation, the surgeon has no idea of the extent of your vision problems. When assessing pricing you need to know what you are quoted prior to an assessment is the price you will pay for the procedure i.e. is it fixed?

Some clinics will use a lower price to lure you in for an assessment and afterwards, the price is adjusted upwards “because” of your procedure and prescription.

Which procedure will you have, and what does it cost to correct your particular prescription?

Correcting higher or complex prescriptions is usually more expensive. It’s worth remembering that prices given on laser eye surgeons’ websites are usually just ballpark figures. The exact cost of correcting your prescription will be different, and if you have a high or complex prescription, the cost is likely to be higher.

You will need to go for an initial consultation with the laser eye surgeon who will determine the complexity of the treatment required. After the consultation, the laser eye surgeon will be able to give you the cost of your laser treatment.

Does it include revisions?

This is when the procedure is repeated in cases of over- or under-correction. If you have received distance vision correction (LASIK, PRK or LASEK excimer laser) for short-sightedness from us here at OCL Vision, then we will offer a repeat laser eye treatment to correct a return of myopia in the first fifteen years, free of charge. Less than 1 in 1000 of our patients have needed an additional procedure after 24 months and it’s highly unlikely, but we offer this guarantee for reassurance and peace of mind. Read the full terms and conditions of our guarantee here.

Does it include wavefront?

Wavefront technology allows the surgeon to correct the eye beyond the correction offered by glasses, treating tiny irregularities in the cornea to create almost perfect vision. Many laser eye surgeons, including OCL Vision, believe that everyone deserves the best and offer wavefront as standard – you may find that these clinics are more expensive, but have better results. Read more about our advanced wavefront laser vision correction.

Do you have astigmatism?

Astigmatism is caused by the eye being an irregular or non-spherical shape, leading to distorted vision. LASIK and LASEK surgery can correct astigmatism by using the laser to alter the shape of the cornea to fix any distortions in the vision.

The cost of laser eye surgery to treat astigmatism can be higher in some clinics as it requires specialist treatment. At OCL Vision, the cost of LASIK or LASEK laser eye surgery covers the correction of astigmatism – jump to our prices here.

What if you’re not suitable for laser eye surgery?

If you’re unsuitable for laser eye surgery because of a very high prescription and/or a thin cornea, you may be suitable for an Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) surgery. This reversible procedure involves implanting an artificial lens in front of the natural lens in the eye.

At OCL Vision, this procedure costs £6700 for both eyes and can be spread over up to 24 months at 0% interest.

Insurance and finance to cover laser eye surgery cost

Most health insurance providers do not cover laser eye procedures to remove the need for glasses or contacts as this is deemed a cosmetic procedure. Some insurance companies cover the procedure to remove scarring on the cornea for example and it’s always worth checking in case you qualify. Many laser eye surgeons do all they can to keep treatments within the cover that insurance companies provide, so patients don’t get stung with unexpected costs. OCL Vision are registered as a facility with the majority of UK and international private medical insurers – read more here.

Most companies offer interest-free credit, with the option to spread the cost over six, ten or twelve months to help with the finances where needed. At OCL Vision, we offer finance options to split the cost over your chosen period of either 6, 10 or 24 months at a rate of 0% APR.

The cost of laser eye surgery is an important consideration, but more important still is your eyesight and the success of the procedure – safety and professionalism should be at the top of your list. Choose your laser eye surgeon based on their success rate, not the price.

Invest in your eyes

Laser eye surgery will last you for the rest of your life, so the earlier you do it, the more worthwhile. Think of what you might spend £4000 on – is any of it more important than your eyesight?

Laser eye surgery may also be cheaper than glasses or contact lenses. While there are some inexpensive glasses out there, many people choose lighter lenses with options like blue filters and anti-reflection features, which, of course, come with a higher price tag.
Disposable contact lenses can cost as much as £300 per year, so if you ditch your disposables in favour of laser eye treatment, the treatment will “pay for itself” in the long term.

See how much you could save with our laser eye surgery calculator tool.

Our laser eye surgery prices

LASIK bilateral

£3950

LASIK unilateral

£1975

Advanced surface ablation (LASEK/PRK)

£3950 both eyes

LASER Blended Vision

£5000 both eyes

Laser Complex High Profile

£5000 both eyes

Our affordable finance option can make it easier to spread the cost of surgery over a number of months if required.

A minimum 10% deposit is required and the balance is split over your chosen monthly period of either 6, 10 or 24 months at a rate of 0% APR.
Interest bearing credit options over longer periods are available on request.

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What makes our laser eye surgery unique?

Treatment tailored for you

You are always at the centre of everything we do. We do not offer a one size fits all approach but rather customise every single treatment to your individual visual needs, so you’ll always get the best procedure for your eyes and your vision

The choice for healthcare professionals

Our surgeons are known the world over and are some of the best in the country, with over 30,000 completed surgeries between them. We treat many surgeons, doctors and anaesthetists who also refer their friends and family to us as they know they will be in safe hands with our expert surgeons.

State of the art technology

We have spared no expense. Eye surgery requires perfect precision, that’s why we have invested in only the latest and most advanced technology. We are not tied into any particular company or manufacturer which means we have complete freedom to chose the best from the many options
available.

Experts you can trust

Patients need to be able to trust us with their eyes. We are honest with our approach and offer the very best evidence-based treatment with your best interests always at heart. We pride ourselves on recruiting and retaining the best staff in the business to ensure that you are supported throughout every step of your journey.