Choosing a clinic for laser eye surgery or any surgery for that matter can be quite challenging, especially when costs vary so much.
This article should help you understand what influences cost and more importantly quality. This should help you make an informed decision.
As the earliest provider of Lasik laser eye surgery in the UK and a long track record, we have observed the variety of offerings that have become available, some that have continued and others that have not.
The goal here is to get people through the door by enticing them on price or something “free”. This approach is, unfortunately, common among some providers. Patients are often given a quick screening, not by an eye surgeon, and costs can increase depending on their prescription or the type of surgery recommended. Many feel pressured to proceed, and those who want time to think are often followed up with persistent calls and discounts until they feel they have no choice. Be wary of advertised pricing and also “Free”. If considering a clinic, best to ask what is the true range of pricing and what percentage of patients actually undergo the procedure at the advertised price which should be over 50%. More information can be found in the Advertising and Marketing Standards issued by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Like so many walks of life, those with extensive experience with advanced certification and Fellowship training in the area of refractive / laser eye surgery will charge more for their services. Experienced surgeons will customise / tailor treatments to suit you rather than follow a “one size fits all” approach often undertaken by those more general and less experienced. Find out about the surgeons at the ophthalmology clinic along with their qualifications and experience. Those clinics who do not feature their surgeons are ones to perhaps be concerned about. Are the surgeons highly experienced, or are they visiting specialists who only work occasionally, performing a high number of procedures quickly to meet payment targets? Will the treating surgeon be responsible for your overall care?
Laser eye clinics at the forefront with advanced technology are more likely to charge higher fees. It stands to reason – more advanced technology will improve precision, allow customisation of care for each eye and in turn improve outcomes. Advanced technology is significant in terms of investment costs and this is passed on to patients. Clinics using older technology might well charge less.
One of the hallmarks of a high-quality provider is provision of individualised care from a variety of treatment options. The bespoke or tailor-made approach is to ensure 1. absolute safety and 2. The best possible outcomes. Often more diagnostic tests are performed to ensure the best possible choice is being made and between this and the individualised attention to detail costs are likely to be higher. Premium providers will also not hesitate to turn down patients if they feel there is a risk or if the patient is unlikely to get the outcome expected.
Post-operative care by consultant level by doctors rather than opticians or technicians, medication, and retreatments if necessary for at least a year, is often included in premium pricing. Less expensive providers may charge separately for these services or provide minimal post-operative support, which might lead to increased costs later.
Explore how different models of care influence both the cost and quality of treatment.
Consider both cost and quality to get best value.
Laser eye surgery is a surgical operation to eliminate / reduce the dependency on glasses. It is a significant decision and ideally should be a onetime procedure that should carry you for the long term. The benefit of vision correction is phenomenal and to ensure all goes well, choose safety and quality over price. Prioritise experienced providers and clinic – uncompromising in technology and approach to care.
There is considerable variation in pricing of vision correction procedures like laser eye surgery, and hopefully the material above illustrates some of the reasoning as to why this is the case. In concentrating on quality, safety and transparency you will find a caring provider and clinic that you deserve.
