Cataract surgery is one of many health services available to Queensland residents, and in some cases it can be bulk-billed or partially covered by Medicare – but how do you know if the procedure is right for you?
Key signs that you need an eye surgery include vision problems such as blurred or cloudy vision, and increased difficulty seeing in dark or shadowy conditions. Left untreated, these symptoms can worsen and significantly impact your quality of life.
Cataract treatment is not the only effective treatment for these vision problems, but it has been established as the surgery of choice for many patients.
If you need cataract surgery, you may have questions about your health insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket costs that can’t be waived with a Medicare card.
So, how much does cataract surgery cost in Queensland?
The cost of cataract surgery can vary depending on several factors, so in this article, we’ll explore those factors and how they influence the full cost.
TL;DR
- Cataract surgery is a popular solution for vision problems which has become more accessible in recent years.
- Benefits of cataract surgery include improved clarity of vision, reduced eye strain, and overall enhanced quality of life.
- The three main factors in determining the cost of cataract surgery include the cost of the surgeon, the anaesthetist, and the day theatre. These costs can be significant and many patients rely on private health insurance to minimise out of pocket costs.
Understanding Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is a common and safe procedure that people undergo when their natural eye lens becomes clouded, which can lead to blurred vision. This condition primarily affects us as we age.
In Brisbane, cataract surgery is typically performed in either a public hospital or a private eye clinic. During the procedure, your surgeon carefully removes the clouded lens of your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens implant, which is either a monofocal or multifocal lens depending on your specific needs and lifestyle. A multifocal lens implant is typically used for those hoping to reduce their dependency on glasses for both near and far vision, however is more likely to be an out-of-pocket cost rather than one covered by your insurer. Monofocal lens implants are useful for long-distance vision, however will still require you to wear reading glasses following the procedure.
The entire process of cataract surgery is relatively quick, and generally leads to a significant improvement in vision.
Benefits of Cataract Surgery
Improved Clarity of Vision
Significantly clearer vision is one of the most immediate benefits post-surgery as the cataract surgery and removal eliminates the cloudiness that causes blurred vision.
Enhanced Quality of Life
With clearer vision, daily activities like reading, driving, and using digital devices are much easier and more enjoyable.
Reduction in Dependence on Glasses
By choosing multifocal intraocular lenses or a specific type of monofocal artificial lens implant, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Increased Safety
Clearer vision contributes to our overall safety, especially in activities like driving, where visual accuracy is crucial.
Brighter and More Vibrant Colours
Cataracts often dull your perception of colours. After cataract surgery, colours may appear brighter and more vibrant than before.
Customised Lens Choices
The availability of both monofocal and multifocal artificial implants makes it easier to choose an option that best suits your vision needs and lifestyle.
Reduced Overall Eye Strain
Cataract surgery can relieve eye strain, especially when doing activities that require focused vision.
Long-Term Solution
Cataract surgery offers a long-term solution to cataract-related vision problems, with many patients enjoying clear vision for many years post-surgery. Dr Geoffrey Ryan says cataract surgery is one of the best options for those seeking a long-term solution for vision problems.
“Given the advances in surgical technology in the past few decades, few treatment alternatives can offer outcomes of the same standard, and I’m proud to offer this procedure to my patients,” Dr Ryan says.
What types of cataract surgeries are available?
The two main options for cataract surgery are public and private hospitals.
Public Hospital
Accessible to all Australian citizens through local public hospitals, Australia’s Medicare system minimises the cost of cataract surgery by providing access to bulk-billed services.
The reduced cost of cataract surgery with Medicare Australia makes the procedure significantly more affordable for patients.
However, it’s worth noting that the waiting period for cataract surgery can be significant due to high demand and budgetary constraints.
Private Hospital/Eye Clinic
The first cost associated with private cataract surgery is your consultation fee with the doctor. This fee covers the clinic appointment and pre-operative scans.
The clinic will be able to inform you prior to your appointment in regard to the overall cost including your Medicare rebate.
Factors influencing the cost of cataract surgery
Lens type
When replacing a cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens, there are several lens types (and price tiers) from which to choose, influencing the total cost of cataract surgery.
A monofocal lens is the most common type of lens used during cataract surgery for high quality vision; other options include toric lenses, multifocal lenses, and monovision lenses.
Operation Cost
The most significant cataract surgery cost is for the operation itself, which can be divided into three components:
1) Surgeon fee. Different doctors charge different fees to perform operations. Calling or emailing the surgeon’s office or clinic directly is a simple way to find out information on the out-of-pocket expenses associated with selecting a particular eye surgeon and thereby choosing the most affordable cataract surgery available.
2) Anaesthetist. The anaesthetist is the doctor who ensures you do not feel the operation by administering local anaesthesia around the eye and, in some cases, sedating you for the procedure.
3) Day theatre. Day surgery centres are private businesses run by administrative and nursing staff, where patients have their operations. They also provide the equipment to perform the eye surgery, including a microscope, cataract machine and instruments, and the lens implant.
|
Expense*** |
Pre-rebate cost |
Medicare rebate** |
Out of pocket costs |
|
Cataract surgery consultations and scans from GP |
$340.00 |
$167.05 |
$172.95 |
|
Surgeon fee |
$1750.00 |
$588.30 |
$1161.70 |
|
Anaesthetist fee |
$500.00 |
$150.00 |
$350.00 |
|
Hospital / day theatre fee |
$1795.00* |
N/A |
*costs incurred for day surgery vary depending on the lens implant chosen.
**Medicare benefit amounts are estimates only.
***The cost of cataract surgery can vary between surgeons and this is for illustrative purposes only.
In this scenario, the total cost for the cataract surgery procedure is $3479.65 with a monofocal lens.
Health insurance options and additional costs
With health insurance premiums reaching an all-time high, many patients are choosing to self-fund their medical care. Self-funding your surgery can often be more economical than paying high insurance premiums. In order to avoid paying too much, you need to be well informed and ask the right questions. Even if you are happy to pay a premium to see a highly recommended surgeon, you do not want to find out you paid twice as much as the average patient.
Private health insurance
For those with private hospital cover, the total cataract surgery cost also depends on the financial assistance provided by their health fund. The level of insurance coverage taken out will determine the cost of having a surgeon perform cataract surgery, as well as associated costs such as the fee for pre-operative consultations, the anaesthetist fee, and the hospital fee. Check your private health insurance policy details to determine whether you can have cataract surgery covered by your health fund.
Without insurance, the patient pays the cost of the surgeon, anaesthetist, and day theatre (including the cost of the lens implant) upfront, which adds up to an estimated $3306.70 per eye after the Medicare refund.
For most patients with coverage, private health insurance will pay for the day hospital fee, including the cost of the lens, as well as part of the anaesthetist and surgeon fee, minimising out of pocket expenses for the treatment.
Health insurance fees
There are three options for a surgeon and an anaesthetist in regard to their fee:
1) Full Fee – The doctor determines the cataract surgery cost. The patient pays this price upfront, and receives a certain rebate determined by their insurance company.
2) Known Gap – This is a scheme set up by the insurance company to ensure patients have a set amount available out-of-pocket. Typically, this amount is set at $500, meaning the patient contributes $500 to their surgery and the insurance company covers remaining surgery costs.
3) No Gap – This is an agreement between the surgeon and the insurance company that the patient does not have to pay any gap. The insurance company will cover the entire cost.
Please consult with your doctor for an accurate cost. The previous figures are for illustrative purposes only.
Cataract surgery procedure with Dr Geoffrey Ryan
With years of experience in surgery and cataract treatment, Dr Geoffrey Ryan is trusted by patients across Brisbane and wider Queensland to deliver the best possible results.
Following an initial consultation, Dr Ryan will determine the right cataract lens for you – whether it be monofocal, bifocal refractive, extended depth of field, or trifocal – and explain the surgery costs and processes.
When it comes to getting value for money out of the cataract surgery cost, Brisbane patients trust Dr Ryan to deliver results that last a lifetime.
Book your eye surgery with Dr Geoffrey Ryan
Whether you need cataract surgery or an alternative treatment, you can trust Dr Geoffrey Ryan to provide the best solution for your vision. To book a consultation and find the right cataract solution for you, call us on 07 3239 5000.
