With more than 100,000 laser eye surgery procedures being carried out every single year in the UK (and more than 45 million worldwide to date), it’s safe to say that laser eye surgery has become a reliable go-to option for those looking to ditch the glasses and lenses for good. But how much does laser eye surgery cost in the UK in 2023?
The first thing we need to understand is that there’s more than one type of laser eye surgery, and therefore there’s more than one price. The type of surgery that you’re best suited for depends on your eyes and vision.
In this article, we’ll take a look all the cost of four different types of laser eye surgery in 2023:
How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?
LASIK eye surgery is the most commonly administered form of laser vision correction, with 98% of people who wear glasses being broadly considered suitable and more than 40 million procedures already performed worldwide.
Typically, the surgery only takes around 5-10 minutes per eye to complete, with the results of the surgery becoming increasingly noticeable in the coming days and weeks, after a day or two of slightly blurry vision.
The cost of LASIK eye surgery is typically between £1,500 to £3,000 per eye.
Read more about LASIK eye surgery
How much does ReLex SMILE® laser eye surgery cost?
One of the latest developments in laser eye surgery is ReLex SMILE® (standing for small incision lenticule extraction).
SMILE® can be used to correct myopia (short-sightedness) and astigmatism within certain limits and combines the advantages of enhanced corneal stability and reduced impact on dry eye.
It has recently become the fastest growing form of laser vision correction around the world, though it has a decade-long track record for being safe and effective.
The cost of ReLex SMILE® laser eye surgery is often between £2,000 and £2,600 per eye.
How much does PRESBYOND laser eye surgery cost?
PRESBYOND® laser blended vision is a treatment for people who have presbyopia – an age-related need for reading glasses. As we age the natural lens inside our eye loses its flexibility, resulting in loss of the ability for near focusing. The effects of this are usually seen after the age of 40.
PRESBYOND® laser treatment is suitable for a large proportion of people suffering with presbyopia. Although used primarily to compensate for reading glasses, it can be combined with correction of short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism.
The cost of PRESBYOND® laser eye surgery typically ranges from £2,000 to £2,500 per eye.
Read more about PRESBYOND surgery
How much does LASEK (ASA / PRK) laser eye surgery cost?
Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA), or as it’s commonly referred to – LASEK ( laser epithelial keratomileusis) eye surgery – is a laser vision correction procedure that can be used to correct myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.
ASA, LASEK and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) are very similar procedures in which the excimer laser treatment is applied to the surface of the cornea after the thin surface coat called the epithelium is removed.
LASEK eye surgery typically costs between £1,700 and £2,000 per eye.
Read more about LASEK eye surgery
The success rate of laser eye surgery
Though it may seem to many like a big decision to undergo laser eye surgery, the procedure itself is often a lot more straightforward than many would assume. LASIK, for example, is one of the most popular kinds of laser eye surgery, and only takes 20 minutes to undergo.
Laser eye surgery is considered to be one of the safest forms of surgery a person can have, and the success rate sits at over 99%.
View the full list of laser eye surgery prices
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials.
