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We’ve done the research to help you find the average prices of available laser eye surgery procedures in Australia, and have broken it down to give you a sense of what you can expect. Read on to find out how much laser eye surgery really costs.
| Procedure | Typical price (per eye) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | $1,500 - $3,400 | In LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), a surgeon uses lasers to create a flap in the cornea and reshape the underlying tissue before replacing the flap. |
| PRK | $1,500-$3,400 | For PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), a surgeon uses a topical solution to remove the top layer of corneal cells, and a laser to reshape the exposed corneal tissue below. |
| SMILE | $3,300 - $3,700 | In SMILE (small incision lenticular extraction), a surgeon make a small incision in the cornea with a laser and then removes a small disc of underlying corneal tissue. |
| LASEK | $2,400 - $3,400 | LASEK (laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis) has a laser create an ultra-thin layer of the barrier that protects the cornea, which is moved to the side so the surgeon can reshape the corneal tissue below. The barrier is then re-positioned back on the cornea. |
| ICL | $4,700 - $6,200 | An ICL (implantable contact lenses) is a custom lens, similar to a contact lens, that is created by a surgeon and implanted directly into the eye. |
If you’re a candidate for laser eye surgery, you might be having a difficult time figuring out exactly how much the procedure will cost. This is because there’s no set price for laser eye surgery.
Prices for laser eye surgery can vary based on procedure, clinic, surgeon experience and individual circumstances. You cannot expect to pay the exact same prices as someone else, because everyone’s eyes are unique. However, you can expect transparency from your laser eye clinics in terms of all costs and fees.
We’ve dissected the overall cost of laser eye surgery to help you decide if laser eye surgery is affordable for you.
Laser eye surgery can seem expensive and unaffordable, but for many people the procedure is cheaper than the long term costs of other methods of vision care. Read on to compare the cost of laser eye surgery to the most common vision care methods in Australia, like glasses and contacts.
Luca has worn contact lenses for more than ten years. Like most contact lens wearers, Luca uses soft contact lenses. He typically buys a box of six disposable lenses for $30, and changes his lenses at least every two weeks. He also buys at least $150 worth of contact lens solution and cleaning products per year. Like many Australians, Luca needs an annual eye-exam and consultation to check-up on his eyes and prescription. Unfortunately, Luca’s check-ups are not covered by Medicare.
He was recently approved for PRK laser eye surgery after a free consultation but is not sure if it’s worth the cost.
Let’s compare the cost of Luca’s contact lenses against PRK surgery:
Zoe is one of more than 50% of Australians who wears prescription eyeglasses. Zoe has one pair of glasses that she wears every day that cost her $190. She also has a back-up pair and a pair of prescription sunglasses. Zoe buys a new pair of glasses every year or due to regular wear and tear, breakage and wanting to keep up with the newest trends. She has an annual eye examination with an ophthalmologist, which is covered by Medicare.
Zoe has recently taken up running and has grown increasingly frustrated with the limitations of wearing glasses while exercising. She has been considering LASIK surgery and has been told she is a potential candidate, but she thinks it is too expensive.
Let’s compare the cost of Zoe’s eyeglasses against LASIK surgery:
Anna is a swimmer who has been using orthokeratology lenses for four years. She wears the rigid lenses every night to reshape her corneas and takes them out every morning, allowing her to swim every day. Anna’s lenses cost $1,500 and she has to replace them every two years. She also has to have six-monthly check-ups with her optometrist, costing her around $100 per year.
Recently, Anna dropped her Ortho-K lenses just months after receiving a new set, breaking them and forcing her to pay for two sets of lenses this year alone. She is frustrated by the ongoing maintenance and expenses of her Ortho-K lenses. Anna has been approved for Implantable Contact Lenses or ICL, but she is concerned about the high price as ICL is the most expensive type of laser eye surgery available.
Let’s compare the cost of Anna’s Ortho-K lenses against ICL:
Health insurance for laser eye surgery does exist, but there are only a few extras policies that will cover it. The amount covered ranges from $600 per eye up to $3,500 on one of the most comprehensive policies available (as of October 2020). Here are some of the options available from Finder partners.
| Fund | Laser Eye Surgery | Limit | Monthly Price | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Yes | $600 per eye | $53.90 | Get quote |
| Yes | $900 per eye | $87.10 | Get quote |
| Yes | $500 per eye | $91.30 | More info |
 | Yes | $3,500 | $399.55 | Get quote |
*Quotes are based on single individual with less than $90,000 income and living in Sydney.
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