Laser eye surgery costs

Cost of laser eye surgery in Australia

The table below lists some types of laser eye surgery that you can get in Australia, and a range of prices we’ve found quoted by clinics. The price range is pretty big for most of them – this is because the final price will depend a lot on what your specific condition requires.

The cost breakdown is for laser surgery.

If you’re interested in an eye procedure using lasers, then you could be having trouble finding out how much this procedure is going to cost. There isn’t a fixed price to undergo laser vision surgery.

The cost of laser eye surgery varies depending on the procedure, the doctor’s experience, the clinic, and the individual situation. You can’t expect to pay the same price as someone else, since each eye is unique. However, you can count on honesty from laser eye clinics regarding all costs and charges.

We’ve broken down the total costs for laser surgery in order to determine whether the procedure is cost-effective for you.

Also read: Is Crypto Legal in Australia?

Costs upfront

• Consultation costs. The cost of consultation fees can range from no cost or part of the price of surgery to $250. The clinic will notify you of the fees for consultation when you make your first appointment. It is essential to inquire whether you’ll have to pay the consultation cost in case you are not eligible for laser eye surgery.
• Cost of surgery. The actual cost of laser eye surgery varies between $4,000 and $14,000 for each eye, based on the facility and nature of the procedure. Costs can also be determined by the expertise of the surgeon, since the most experienced surgeons usually charge higher prices.
• All-inclusive cost in comparison to individual expenses. Some clinics charge one flat fee that covers the entire cost of first consultations, the surgery, and any follow-up appointments. Some clinics charge per individual expense, like the follow-up appointment, medications, or diagnostic tests. Make sure you ask the clinic you are considering about all charges and costs for your treatment.
• Medicare cover. Laser eye surgery is not covered by Medicare, other than in the rare instance that it’s performed to treat specific eye conditions.
• Healthcare protection. Some Australian health insurance plans cover all or a portion of the procedure for laser eye surgery if you have premium or top coverage. Remember, you will typically have to wait between 1 and 3 years following signing up for health insurance before you can qualify to receive coverage for lasers. Check out our comparison of health insurance tables below.
• Payment plans. Many clinics offer payment plans to ease the stress of the large upfront cost. Check with your physician whether they have plans for payment.

Costs for ongoing use

• Following-up visits. The total cost of surgery could cover some follow-up appointments. If the price isn’t all-inclusive, then follow-up appointments can cost between $70 $150. Be aware that the number of follow-up appointments you’ll require will depend on the kind of procedure you’ve chosen and the speed at which your eyes heal.
• Post-op medications or treatments. Many clinics include the cost of drugs such as eyedrops in the cost of their procedures; however, some clinics don’t. Eye drops are typically priced at approximately $50 if priced separately. Other medicines will differ.
• Emergencies. Your clinic may or might not provide an after-hours service. If you have an emergency, you might need to visit the hospital or an emergency room. The hospital will determine the cost of treatment, any necessary interventions, as well as your health insurance.
• Further procedure. Though rare, it is possible that one or both eyes might overcorrect or undercorrect its refractive error in the healing process. In this scenario, there could be additional procedures needed to correct the mistake. The price could range from $12,000 to $12,600 based on the .procedure, and whether only one eye or both need treatment.

Does Medicare provide coverage for laser eye surgery?

There is no way that Medicare does not cover the costs for laser surgery. It is considered elective and therefore does not have any benefits. In addition, the costs of both contact lenses and glasses are not covered by Medicare. The only exception might be in the event of some specific procedure that requires laser eye surgery within the treatment plan. But this is an extremely specific situation, and it is unlikely to happen for the majority of patients.

Does Health insurance cover laser eye surgery?

Some health insurance providers include the benefit of laser eye surgery as part of their coverage for extras. But it’s an unusual benefit to find, and you’ll have to locate a particular company if it’s important for you.

It is also likely that you will be covered by one of the largest additional products, which will cost you more than $1,000 per year. If you’re considering laser eye surgery, and there’s an average waiting time of 2 or 3 years prior to when you are eligible to claim the benefits, you might pay more for insurance than you would have to pay.

However, if you already have a cover that can provide benefits, you might be lucky.

Eye surgery with lasers vs. other options

Laser eye surgery may appear costly and expensive; however, for a lot of people, it is less expensive than the long-term costs of other forms of eye care.

• Glasses for prescription: Medicare will not pay for the costs of prescription lenses, even if your sight isn’t sufficient to be able to drive without them. They’re not too expensive. You can find a decent pair for less than $200. If you have basic accessories insurance, it’s likely to provide a pair every year.
• Contact lenses: When you use all-year-round contacts, they will cost between $400-$1,000 per year. It can vary a bit based on your prescription as well as how often you use lenses, and whether you wear them daily versus longer-lasting alternatives.
•  Lenses that are specially designed, like orthokeratology rigid lenses, can cost up to $2,000 annually. The same goes for other forms of special care. Once you consider specialist visits and prescriptions, the price can go to the top.

There are pros as well as cons for each one of these alternatives for laser surgery. For instance, you may spend more on contacts over a period of 10 years or longer than for a single session of surgery. However, if you’re not averse to using glasses at all, you’re likely to be less expensive even after decades. They also look stylish.

It’s all going to be contingent on your specific situation, however, since the cost for laser surgery differs greatly. Consult your optometrist for additional details about your circumstance.

There are pros and cons to each of these as an alternative to laser eye surgery. For example, you might pay more for contact lenses over the course of 8 or more years than you would for a single round of surgery. On the other hand, if you don’t mind wearing glasses, they’re probably going to be cheaper, even after many decades. They also look cool.

It’s going to depend on your specific case though, as the price of laser eye surgery varies so much. Speak to your optometrist for more details on your situation.