How Much Should You Pay for LASIK?
Dave Allamby | Jan 25, 2008 | Comments 153
Here you have a comparison of what LASIK costs at London LASIK clinics. You can see 4 typical prescriptions and what each clinic charges – and you will see the huge variation in LASIK laser eye surgery prices!
For example, for a simple -1 dioptre correction there is an enormous variation in LASIK cost. The lowest is £295 per eye for wavefront LASIK and £595 for femtosecond laser blade free LASIK at FOCUS Laser Vision (www.focusclinics.com). The highest are £2145 at Moorfields eye hopspital (www.moorfields.nhs.uk) and £2250 at Centre for Sight in East Grinstead (www.centreforsight.com).
All three centres offer fellowship-trained specialist NHS London teaching hospital consultant surgeons and advanced wavefront LASIK treatments. Yet the difference in price (money you will save) is up to £3,000-£4,000 for both eyes treated for a -1D correction. For an common prescription, e.g. -2.75/-1.50 x 90, you will still save up to £2,600 from the cheapest to most expensive. And this includes teaching hospital NHS consultant surgeons at both centres, plus the best blade free all laser LASIK option. It’s a remarkable price difference.
The chart below shows prices for wavefront keratome (mechanical) LASIK laser eye surgery. Optimax and Optical Express will charge approximately £300 more per eye for all laser blade free LASIK, as do FOCUS Laser Vision. London Vision Clinic and Centre for Sight include blade free in the prices shown. Ultralase only now offer blade free LASIK but curiously still offer non-wavefront treatments, and so are not in the chart below. They charge £1895 per eye for wavefront blade free LASIK.
Check out this chart for London centres. More on this coming soon. 
hi Dave, I will reply directly with my team, but yes, LASIK plus the KAMRA inlay is the most advanced ...
I WAS TOLD 3 YEARS AGO I COULD NOT HAVE LASER SURGERY FOR READING MY LONG DISTANCE WAS OK AT ...
Hi there, first of all this is an excellent site!
I am having LASIK this week (with one of the ...
Thanks so much for your reply Doctor. Just to get your opinion on a few points you missed out:
1. What's ...
Hi Dave again,
Thank you for all your responses. I've been finding this blog very informative and useful.
One further question I ...
Yes, this is what I meant, blurry at distance.
don't know why but i am scared like he** ;) may ...
Hi David,
Hope you don’t mind me getting involved in this thread, but I have been advised I have some dryness ...
hi....i have cornea thickness of 480...and have been advised for bladless lasik surgery ....please advise is it safe or is ...
Dear David,
Many thanks - I'll start taking the flaxseed oil as you suggest and plan to travel to London ...
Hi Dave,
I Type this with great concern, my night vision has not improved since i got the C TEN procdure ...
Hello Dave,
I'm 38 and looking at having LASIK. My vision is -6.50 in the right and -6.00 in the left. ...
Hi Tony
Yes, all the visits would be to our Wimpole St clinic, just next to Harley St.
Costs will depend on whether you just want to correct your distance vision and then wear glasses for reading, or see if you are suitable for laser blended vision where you can do pretty much everything without glasses for both far and near.
Distance correction for most advanced blade free wavefront Z-LASIK is £2,090 both eyes, which is about £1,200 cheaper than the other three laser chain clinics.
For blended vision Z-LASIK it is £3,990. The other laser chains dont offer blended vision while we are a specialist centre for that correction.
Choice of procedure is up to you, and also on your suitability for a blended approach (10% not suitable)
There are no other costs you will incur, all is included.
Regards
Dave
Hi
Can you give a rough cost on surgery
Right -1.00 -150 10
Left -0.25 -2.25 180
Near +150
I live in the Reading area, (your local clinic map is not loading)would I have to go to London for consultation/treatment etc, and dose your price include follow up appointments, drops, and are there any more costs that I am likely to incur.
Thanks
A Lenk
Hi Dal
Early re-treatments are called enhancements and are to fine tune the first op, if needed. The chance of that happening with our Z-LASIK technology (only available currently at 2 UK centres) is only 0.5% for short sight treatments up to -6D. Most other clinics quote up to 5% for this.
We dont see short-sighted corrections deteriorating a year or two down the line, seems to be an urban myth floating around.
Costs depend on your prescription. You can call 0845 5000 500 to find out our email me back here. Quote LT01 to get a free consultation.
Best regards
Dave
Hi, I’m thinking of getting the Z lasik. I’ve read about some people needing further treatment a few months later, and of others, their eye site deteriorating a year or two (or further) down the line. Do you have stats on the chances of this at your clinic, and also what type of retreatment costs would be involved? Thanks
Hi Richard
Our price for those prescriptions for blade free wavefront LASIK is £2390 total, including a lifetime guarantee, which OE don’t offer.
As a fellow scuba diver, I would give it 2 weeks for pool work if using a face mask, and dont go below 10 metres during first 4 weeks. After that you have the all clear.
Hope thats clears the waters!
Dave
Hi I went to Optical Express in June 2008 for a quote and the top of the range LASIK Intralase Wavefront treatment came out at £3100. (standard was £1500). So I just wondered how your prices would compare.
Here’s my details
right sphere -4.00 cyl -1.25 axis 80
left sphere -4.25 cyl -0.75 axis 85
Because I do scuba diving a lot during the summer I decided not to have it done then as they said I couldnt go diving for a month (I see swimming is 2-3 weeks). Whats your take on this? And also could doing scuba diving affect healing etc. They mentioned pressure etc but with a mask on your face pressure is equalised. Be interesting for another opinion on this. What sort of a break would I need from scuba diving – mainly swimming pool work. Is depth an issue?
And who really has got the most up to date, best, most reliable and safest lasers!!!!
Can you categorise lasers like cars by comparing a Ford Escort with a Ferrari or are they all pretty much the same.
Thanks,
Richard
Thanks Dave, much appreciated
–
Asif
Hi Asif
Yes, you can get the YES250 discount off the Z-LASIK treatment. Just let reception know on arrival that I have confirmed that.
Thanks
Dave
Hi Dave
Ok I’m booked for a free consulation on friday 12th Dec. Would it be possible to also get the special discount ‘YES250′?
Thanks
–
Asif
Hi Asif
With our Z-LASIK dual laser approach you can expect an excellent results, even with your prescription. Based on what we have seen this year since using the Ziemer femtosecond laser (blade free method), your chance of a second op to adjust the focus is less than 1%!
If you did need that, it would be about 12 weeks after your treatment.
You will also get our Lifetime Care Guarantee with Z-LASIK so distance vision enhancements are free for life. although i would expect your result to be very stable over the years.
Glad you like the blog!
Dave
Hi Dave
What success rate do you have for people of relatively high prescription like mine. By success rate I mean what level of correction could I expect and would it be more likely, due to my higher prescription, I would need a 2nd op. Also if a 2nd op is needed how soon after the 1st op can/will it be done.
Thanks for all your help, this blog of yours is so refreshing.
My prescription is:
RIGHT
Sph: -5.5
Cyl: -1.50
Axis: 167
LEFT
Sph: -6.00
Cyl: -1.00
Axis: 180
Hi Yiwei
You can have the consultation anytime to suit your schedule, so you can choose that. We do both eyes at the same session for almost every patient, unless there is a clinical reason not to. Laser eye surgery has been demonstrated safe enough that we haven’t done eyes at different times for many years now.
Yes, the thin laser flaps do appear to heal again, unlike the blade cut flaps, so that’s an excellent reason to choose all-laser Z-LASIK.
Night vision problems were a problem in some cases with early lasers, so you can find reports of that from the 1990′s. With our WaveLight laser treating short-sight, with its advanced wavefront treatment profile and size,I just have never seen a patient get night time difficulty. It seems to be no longer an issue with this laser.
Best regards, Dave
Thanks Dave,
That is really great. I am planning to do the Z-lasik surgery in early Jan. 09, when do you think is better to do a consultation? Do you think it is necessary to do one eye first, and later the other one? Another thing is that some points metion that all-laser cut heals itself? Will this happen to me? In addition, I am really care about the night vision problems as well.
By the way, does your clinic open on Saturday?
Many thanks for your kindness reply.
Yiwei
Hi Yiwei yes, all post-op care is included and you get our LIfetime Care Guarantee. If you have distance vision Z-LASIK, refractive aftercare and enhancements are free, for life. That’s nice, isn’t it?!
Consultation is free from this blog if you quote LT01 when you book in (refundable deposit applies though, which you will get back when you attend the clinic).
Stability is determined at the consultation. Please bring any previous prescriptions from the optician that you have available.
With best regards
Dave
Hi Dave, I have two questions to ask.
The first one is about the cost, besides the eye treatment costs, is the consultancy and eye monitoring for free? I know some of the clinic charges hidden costs.
And how long will it take before doing the operation to confirm the stablitiy of the eyesight condition?
Thanks a lot for your coming reply.
Hi Asif, Yes you will be fine after 1 week. You will benefit from using artificial tear drops every few hours while working at a PC during the first month. That will help the healing.
With best regards
Dave
Hi Dave
I know I have to take a week off work to go ahead with LASEK, would I after this week be able to see well enough to do my normal day job as a computer programmer?
Thanks
Hi Julia
Your scans are fine for Z-LASIK so no problem there. Having a history of oral cold sores is fine for LASIK. As long as you don’t have active oral sores at the time of surgery then all is well. The herpes issue is only for people who have had infections in the eyes in the past.
Thanks, Dave
Hello Dave. I had a good chat with Paula today and have booked treatment for early December. I have had cold sores in the past and wondered if this could cause problems in the future (does this mean I could be prone to herpes eye infection)? Just wondering if this means the virus could be present in the eye nerves? Thanks, Julia.
Thanks Dave, I appreciate your help and look forward to speaking with you. Julia.
No problem Julia. I will advise you on the best treatment for your kind of blepharitis when we speak. Sometimes it involves cleaning of the eye lashes, drops and/or tablets, just depending on the ‘kind’ of dryness you have. It’s not complicated, just needing to be tailored to your own eyes.
Dave
sorry David, one other thing. I have moderate dry eyes (only bothers me when wearing lenses) and the optomotrist recommended getting some Blink eye drops to help. Would my file detail what sort of dryness I have and again help decide if I should have Lasek or Lasik? I notice on a previous post, you recommended preparing the eyes prior to surgery, would the Blink eyedrops be adequate or would I have to get something different from your clinic? Sorry to be a nuisance but this is a big step for me.
Hi Julia, Thanks for your questions. Mild blepharitis is not a big problem typically, but we should treat that to get it under best control prior to treatment. On Monday I will take a look at your scans and notes also and get back to you on what I think the best treatment would be for you.
We are obsessed with safety at FOCUS and I will make sure you get the absolute right treatment for your eyes! There are some cases where you could opt for either treatment. Anyway I will know once I see the pictures and figures and I can call you to chat about that. Sound good?!
Thanks Julia
Dave
Hi Boris, yes you are quite right about the laser removing some corneal tissue in the original treatment, for example in the centre part of the eye for a short sighted treatment. To fully reverse the EFFECT we remove some tissue from the outer part of the cornea to put the corneal curvature back to where it started. So now an equal amount of tissue has been removed across the cornea and so the focus would be back where it started. Of course, the cornea is a little thinner than before, but still strong enough for its role.
Dave
Dear David. I attended your clinic on Friday for my consultation and was very impressed, however I’m a little concerned over a couple of things and wonder if you could help alleviate my worries.
First of all, I have mild blepharitis, is this going to be a problem for treatment or could it introduce problems after treatment, ie introduce infection?
Secondly, during my cornea scans, there seemed to be some concern over the figures, something like an irregularity in the shape of the cornea? The optometrist therefore asked the consultant to look at the scans and he said for safety, the best procedure would be Lasek (my prescription is -3.50 and -3.25). However at the end of the consultation, I was then advised that Lasik would be the best treatment. As I was confused as to what would be best, I was told that my details would be shown to Dr Mearza next week for his comments. Would you please be kind enough to look at my file and give me your opinion. I just want the safest procedure according to my scans. Thank you.
Thanks for that David and you have some impressive stats there. Just one thing though, how can the treatment be fully reversible if the laser takes away cells during the original procedure? To reverse the treatment, does the laser reshape again? I’m a little confused. thanks.
Hi Andrea – it’s the steroid drops that do that. They are a suspension of white powder in water and leave white deposits on the lashes. You can GENTLY clean the lower lashes with a moistened cotton bud while pulling the lid downwards away from the eye. Do not try to clean the upper lashes for the time being as you can put pressure on the cornea. You will stop the drops in three days time and can clean the lashes more then. Enjoy your new vision!
Dave
Hi Dave
Perhaps you could give me a small piece of advise? My eyelashes are now crusty I think due to the vast amount of drops that I am putting in my eyes on a regular basis! What is the best way of cleaning them?
Many thanks
Andrea
Yes, Boris, all over- and under-corrections can be treated easily. In fact, the whole treatment can be reversed. The move over to the Ziemer blade free system (Z-LASIK) has dramatically reduced the need to re-do LASIK treatments. Most clinics quote enhancement rates of around 5% BUT with Z-LASIK for short-sight I have only had to adjust one case in the last 200, so that’s a 0.5% rate. Without any hype or spin, that’s just very impressive and a great step forward.
Regards
Dave
Dear David. I’ve been considering treatment for a few months now but am concerned about over and under correction. I realise with under correction that retreatment can be done, however is there anything that can be done for over correction?
Do you have any figures for your clinic for over and under corrections? Thank you.
My pleasure Andrea!
Hi Dave
Just wanted to say a massive thank you for my z-lasik treatment which I recieved yesterday. The whole process was painless from start to finish even though, as you are well aware I was really nervous!. Today, when I had my check up, I had better than 20/20 vision in both eyes! What is more, I can read smallish print (the newspaper) without my reading glasses – which I couldn’t do with my contact lenses. I can’t thank you enough.
My husband is having his consultation next Tuesday and hopes to get his eyes done before we go skiing in December.
Thank you so much again
Warmest wishes
Andrea
Hi James
Laser eye surgery will increase dryness for typically 6-12 months after treatment. So that can increase some pre-existing dryness. It all depends on how dry the eyes are and what kind of dryness it is (yes, there are different kinds!). We do have a range of measures to increase lubrication of the cornea however so often we are still able to treat. Sometimes we start a few weeks before LASIK to get the eyes ready, depending on the case.
So certainly worthwhile getting seen and we can advise you better. I have done lots of cases with moderate dryness who have done just fine. So, as long as we manage it appropriately doesn’t have to be a problem but all are measured on a case by case basis.
Thanks
Dave
Hi Dave
Could you confirm whether it is possible to have LASIK if I have moderate dry eye which prevents me from wearing contact lenses? Is it a general recommedation to not have LASIK if one has dry eye and would this cause any problems post surgery?
My concern is that I have read on some websites that dry eye is a contraindication to having laser eye surgery as surgery would exacerbate an already present condition?
Thanks
James
Thanks Dave
Andrea
Hi Andrea
Running and horse riding is OK after 7 days. You should avoid dust and dirt also for 7 days. Please do not wear the tight small style of swimming goggles during the first 2 weeks as they can put the eye under high suction… best avoided! It is OK to use the large mask type of goggles if you need to go into the stables during the first week, but definitely do NOT go there during the first two days under any circumstances.
Regards
Dave
Hi Dave
I have a couple more questions if that’s OK. How long after surgery will I be able to resume running and horse riding and will it be OK to muck out my horses stable if I wear protective googles like swimming goggles? She is on a low dust paper pulp bedding.
Thanks again
Andrea
See you on Thursday afternoon then!
Best regards
Andrea
No problem Andrea. And don’t worry, it will be much easier and simpler than you imagine! Yes, you can go back to work after the one day check up.
Best regards
Dave
Thanks Dave
Look forward to seeing you on Thursday – I can’t wait although feeling a little apprehensive about the procedure. Just one more question, will I be able to go back to work after my appointment on
Friday morning?
Thanks
Andrea
Hi Andrea
Yes, I looked through your scans and numbers and thin flap Z-LASIK is fine, still with a wide safety margin, so there is no need to switch over to LASEK. Its one of the benefits of moving away from the thicker flaps from blade LASIK.
Contact sports include those activities where there is the possibility of repeated direct physical blows to the face, such as boxing, martial arts, rugby, etc. I don’t put horse riding in that group.
I am a cautious and conservative surgeon but I think you can safely benefit from Z-LASIK.
Hope that was helpful. Please let me know if you want more information.
Regards
Dave
Hi Dave
I am booked in to have z lasik with you this Thursday having previously been told my cornea were too thin for Lasik and would have to have Lasek. This bothered me because of the additional downtime. I am a keen horsewoman and am now concerned that this is classed as a contact sport so I would again be unsuitable for Lasik. Can you let me know what you think please?
Thanks
Andrea
Hi Cathy
You will use two kinds of drops for 5 days after LASIK. One is a broad spectrum antibiotic (called Exocin) to protect against infection and the other is a steroid to reduce inflammation (called Pred Forte, contains prednisolone). After this time you can use artificial tear drops if the eyes feel dry, but not everyone needs those.
Best regards
Dave
Hi Dave
Can you please tell me more about the drops you need to put in after Lasik surgery – what type they are, and how long you need to put them in. I would like to know the full aftercare regimen before I go ahead.
With thanks
Cathy
Hi Asif
If you do a lot active sports, PRK is a better option as there is no risk to a flap later on. In terms of doing the surgery, actually, PRK is technically an easier operation to do than LASIK. However, at FOCUS we have a huge amount of experience with this technique. Prior to the arrival of thin flap femtosecond laser flaps, we were one of the advocates of surface laser techniques, so we have done a LOT.
You will certainly be in very good hands.
Regards
Dave
Hi Dave
Ok I will book an appointment to come to your clinic. My main concern was the longer downtime with PRK and also I imagine surgeons do fewer PRK ops so they may not be as experienced with this technique (so more prone to error?). The particular surgeon at optimax I went to who suggested PRK, just did not fill me with confidence when I quizzed him on his experience of PRK. Could you explain to me if my concerns are justified and if so how experienced are you and your team in PRK?
Somebody also told me that after laser eye surgery you are recommended not do any contact sports again. I play a lot of sport, football, squash etc, so it would be good to know where you stand on this.
Thanks for all your help.
–
Asif
Hi Dave
Oh you have dashed my hopes. I was so optimistic about this blade free option
My optimism was fueled by the comment on the OE website it says:
IntraLase is of particular benefit to patients with steep, flat or thin corneas, some of whom are not eligible for LASIK/LASEK surgery performed with a standard microkeratome.
uk.opticalexpress.com/laser-eye-surgery/intralase.html
The last time my brother and I went was probably over 2years ago. They did offer PRK LASEK. But the blade free option I’m sure was not available then.
I thought the blade free option would allow you to reduce the amount of corneal tissue you would have to cut through, hence people with thinner corneas could be treated.
Dear Asif
thank for your mail. Honestly, if you were told that your corneas were too thin for LASIK by multiple clinics, you are likely still to thin, even for blade-free Z-LASIK. I presume these other clinics offered PRK (LASEK) also? Were you too thin for that as well?
Regards
Dave
Hi David
My brother and I I’ve been wanting to get wavefornt LASIK eye surgery for the last 5years. We have been at least a couple of times to various clinics, (Optical Express, Ultralase, Optimax) over the years and every time they have said both my brothers and my corneas are too thin.
Now we hear about the bladeless Lasik and we really want to go for it. My prescription is:
RIGHT
Sph: -5.5
Cyl: -1.75
Axis: 175
LEFT
Sph: -6.00
Cyl: -1.25
Axis: 10
How much would it cost and was is the success rate? My brother has a similar prescription is there a discount available for 2 simultaneous bookings?
Thanks for everything, great site.
–
Asif
hi Jenny
Yes, definitely, you can always meet your surgeon as part of the consultation. Can give you a straight assessment of success etc. You can meet with either myself, Mr Ali Mearz or another of our NHS consultant specialists. Pls just confirm when you book in that you would like to be able to talk with the consultant when you attend. Pls call and talk with Paula on 0845 5000 500.
Best regards
Dave