TL;DR
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- What LASIK eye surgery is and how it can help patients improve their eye health
- Factors that influence the cost of a laser eye surgery procedure
- The average cost of LASIK in Australia
- How laser surgery compares with other vision correction options
Introduction
Do you need LASIK eye surgery? You might be surprised to find that, despite the fact that vision correction treatments are a common medical procedure, many patients are unaware of the cost of laser eye surgery – and like many such procedures, it often involves hidden costs.
LASIK eye surgery is the most common laser refractive eye surgery used to correct vision problems.
Since its introduction into the Australian market in 1989, the LASIK procedure has become one of the most popular and successful options for vision correction surgery.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
As a refractive surgery, LASIK is a treatment designed to correct issues such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia, giving patients the gift of freedom from “bandaid” treatments such as eye drops, glasses or contact lenses.
The laser makes a precise incision in the clear cornea to create a flap. A secondary laser then reshapes the tissue to remove your glasses prescription. The laser tracks the eye and will only apply energy to the cornea when everything is perfectly aligned. This safety parameter is why we achieve such consistent results.
Despite offering a number of refractive procedures, Dr Ryan’s reports that LASIK continues to be the most popular. “LASIK offers many benefits for patients, providing rapid results with extraordinary accuracy and without pain,” Dr Ryan says.
“Both the laser treatment procedure itself and the recovery process are quick, leaving patients with markedly better vision and relief from a variety of eye problems. However, it’s important to understand the risks and the costs involved in your particular circumstances before proceeding.”
Factors Influencing the Cost of LASIK
If you have ever considered laser eye surgery as a long-term solution for a refractive error or vision issue, you may also have wondered, how much is LASIK in Australia?
LASIK laser eye surgery costs can vary depending on several key factors, including the surgeon’s skill level and experience, the care required pre- and post-operation, the technology used, and the location.
Experience
Surgeon experience is one of the biggest factors in the procedure cost, particularly given the complexity of laser vision correction. More experienced practitioners provide patients with inherent peace of mind and detailed guidance before and after their surgery.
Pre- and post-op care
Beyond the initial surgery itself, the total cost of laser eye surgery also includes the pre- and post-operative care required. While some surgeons may offer this as a package deal included in the upfront costs, it’s important to factor in the potential additional cost of a follow-up appointment.
Technology used
Surgeons’ operating costs are often amongst the most significant “hidden costs” for laser eye surgery, particularly as some pieces of equipment – namely the femtosecond laser, used to create the corneal flap – cost as much as $500,000. With enhanced eye-tracking technology and smart LASIK systems on offer, surgeons are able to deliver a remarkably high quality service.
Location
The cost of laser eye surgery can vary depending on the city or region a patient resides in. For example, 2019 statistics showed Sydney to be the most expensive city in which to receive the surgery, with an average cost of $6410, while cities on the cheaper end of the spectrum average around $2400.
Average Cost of LASIK in Australia
When it comes to determining the lasik surgery cost, Australia has a range of laser eye surgery procedure options available.
As mentioned above, average costs for LASIK procedures in Australia range from approximately $2000 to over $6000 per eye. The good news is that laser procedures are sometimes covered under private health insurance, with several large Australian health funds covering the otherwise steep laser eye surgery cost.
What is Included in the LASIK Fee?
As the laser eye surgery process can be complex, it’s important to be aware of the typical inclusions and potential extra costs, as well as payment options if necessary.
While the $2000-6000 eye surgery cost range listed above covers the procedure itself, the initial consultation to explore laser eye costs and options may incur an additional fee, and the same goes for post-operative care.
Typical laser eye surgery costs may also vary depending on the technology used and the quality of vision prior to the surgery.
Comparing LASIK Costs with Other Vision Correction Methods
Whilst there are several options for eye surgery in Australia, LASIK eye surgery is the most popular option overall, and for good reason. Still, when it comes to improving and preserving your vision, it pays to be aware of all your options, starting with other laser eye surgeries such as PRK, CLEAR (Lenticule extraction) and ICL.
PRK
Like LASIK surgery, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) laser eye surgery treats vision problems caused by refractive errors using an excimer laser. It is generally cheaper, although prices can vary.
CLEAR
CLEAR is a procedure carried out in one step with one laser with a cost similar to LASIK surgery.
ICL
A more invasive laser vision treatment than LASIK, implantable contact lenses (ICL) eye surgery is ideal for patients with extreme short- or long-sightedness. Amongst the surgical techniques briefly detailed above, ICL is often the most expensive.
Many people who suffer from eye diseases and symptoms such as blurred vision manage the condition by simply wearing prescription glasses and contact lenses; however, in the long-term, the ongoing costs of wearing glasses and contact lenses over time can be significant, particularly in cases where ongoing lens adjustments are required.
Making the Decision: Is LASIK Worth the Cost?
There’s no denying that the average laser eye surgery cost is a fairly significant investment by most people’s standards, but patients across Australia are increasingly deciding that the benefits of restoring good vision are worth investing in.
While there are expenses and risks involved in any surgical procedure, laser eye surgery can give the gift of clear vision to those who have to wear contact lenses or prescription glasses on a daily basis.
Many patients agree that the cost of laser eye surgery is far outweighed by the value of the renewed quality of life they enjoy post-surgery.
Why Choose Dr Geoffrey Ryan
If you want to say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses for good, choosing the right surgeon for laser eye surgery is a crucial step in the right direction, and there are plenty of reasons to choose Dr Geoffrey Ryan.
A master in the field of laser vision correction, Dr Ryan has founded his practice on more than a decade of experience performing laser eye surgery, as well as cataract surgery, corneal tissue repairs and glaucoma treatment – always taking a tailored approach to each procedure and lens selection. He has completed advanced surgical training under highly respected eye surgeons at renowned hospitals around the world.
We’ve also introduced an array of new technology, including the ZIEMER Z8 laser. Featuring intra operative imaging capabilities and a high repetition rate for precision, the device is designed to reduce invasiveness and dramatically improve the safety of laser eye surgery procedures.
Conclusion
Clear vision – and freedom from the ongoing need to wear glasses or contact lenses – is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
Our patients agree that no laser eye surgery cost could outweigh the joy of doing all the things they love – from reading books to playing contact sports – without vision troubles.
If you’re ready to experience true visual freedom, there has never been a better time to schedule a free consultation and find out whether laser eye surgery could be right for you.
For a personalised eye surgery cost estimate and payment options that work for you, reach out to our friendly team today.
