Laser eye surgery cost comparison at FOCUS Eye Centre

The Price of Sight

Is Laser Eye Surgery worth the cost? Benefits you can’t put a price tag on…

FREEDOM

Throw away your glasses and contacts for good. You no longer need them!

LIFESTYLE

Enjoy the improved quality of life while swimming, exercising, playing sport or simply reading.

COMFORT

Your eyes will no longer be irritated for wearing contact lenses too long.

TIME SAVED

No more time spent having prescriptions filled out and ordering new lenses…

Laser Eye Surgery Cost VS Contacts

What is your time worth?

Contacts
- Refilling Prescriptions
- Lens Fitting
- Cost of Lens Solution
- Cost of Back-up Glasses
- Cost of Lost time
  (Applying contact lenses can take over 5 min out of your day, that’s over 73 hours a year! What’s your time worth?)
- Cost of Freedom
  (Sick of fumbling for your glasses when you wake up, or misplacing them when you’re in a hurry! What’s a hassle free lifestyle worth to you?)
- COST in $AUD: $10,000 / 20 years
- COST in hours: 1460hrs / 20 years
Laser Eye Surgery
- Consultation & Assessment
- One Time Day Surgery
- Follow up Appointment
- COST in $AUD
  SMILE $3,000 per eye
  LASIK $3,000 per eye
  PRK $3,000 per eye
- COST in hours: 40hrs

Lifetime cost of contact lenses

With beginning use at Age 18

(Yearly Average Cost estimated at $505 and $73hrs)
AGE	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
COST in $AUD	$1,010	$6,060	$11,100	$16,160	$21,210	$26,260	$31,310	$36,360	$41,410
COST in hrs	146hrs	876hrs	1,606hrs	2,336hrs	3,066hrs	3,796hrs	4,526hrs	5,256hrs	5,986hrs

General FAQs

How successful is LASER REFRACTIVE SURGERY? Is it dangerous?

In our experience laser refractive surgery is very safe and effective. Most people having Laser Refractive Surgery achieve their visual potential. The process of laser vision correction is not perfectly predictable and in about 5% of people adjustment procedure a few months after initial treatment may be requested.

All surgical procedures including laser vision correction carry risk of complications some of which could cause permanent damage to vision. However severe complications are rare.

Will I feel any pain during the procedure?

The procedure is painless. You will experience some post-operative discomfort or pain which is managed by eye drops and other medication.

What happens if I look around during the laser treatment?

Many patients worry that their eye will move involuntarily during the treatment. The SCHWIND AMARIS Laser compensates for any movements of the eye using the six dimensional active eye tracker, unique to this Laser. The tracker registers eye movements 1050 times per second. This means that the tracker is than 30 percent faster than the laser pulses. This allows perfect positioning of each laser spot.

Why would someone not be a good candidate?

There are a number of reasons, they include their prescription is either too high, or their corneas are too thin, or their eyes are too dry. Another reason being they have an underlying corneal condition that prevents them from having laser eye surgery. All of these conditions are determined on a one-to-one basis during your comprehensive one hour assessment with our FOCUS team.

Will I have to stop wearing contact lenses before the operation?

Yes. Do not wear contact lenses a few days prior to you consultation and surgery. Hard or rigid contact lenses need to be removed at least 2 weeks. If you are unsure of what to do our staff can advise you further.

Why is the right technology so important?

Focus Eye Centre uses SCHWIND AMARIS precise eye tracking technology because even under complete concentration, the eyes make slight, involuntary movements which cannot be suppressed. That’s why exact centring and constant positioning of the eye is especially important for a precise and safe procedure. With the SCHWIND AMARIS eye tracker, all of the movements which the eye can make are recorded and actively compensated 1050 times per second.

How long does the procedure take?

The actual laser treatment is very quick. You will be in theatre, however, for about 30 minutes and at Focus Day Surgery about 1hour 30 minutes..

How much time will I need to take off work?

Most people do not go to work the day after LASIK surgery. Following surface laser ablation (PRK / LASEK) we advise one week off work.

How long after surgery before flying or exercising?

Most procedures will have you flying and exercising within a couple of days of surgery. Following surface laser ablation (PRK / LASEK) we advise one week of rest.

Can I drive after my appointment?

If your eyes are being dilated or if you are having a laser procedure we recommend that you do not drive as your vision can be blurry for up to 4 hours after you have had the drops or procedure.

How much does the procedure cost?

Procedures vary in cost.

Smile: $3,000 per eye

Lasik: $3,000 per eye

PRK: $3,000 per eye

Why is fasting before Cataract Eye Surgery important?!

Sometimes, even though patients know they will have intravenous sedation with cataract surgery, they still do not understand why fasting is necessary. On occasion a patient arrives for cataract surgery having eaten breakfast, and unfortunately in these cases surgery has to be postponed, which can be very inconvenient for patients and doctors alike.

So why do you need to fast?

Fasting before cataract eye surgery reduces the risk of stomach contents/acid going the wrong way down into your lungs while you are asleep. Stomach acid can cause lung damage.

What is the correct way to fast?

NO solid food is to be eaten for at least 6 hours prior to your admission time.
NO fluids (except water, black tea or black coffee) are to be taken for at least 2 hours before your admission time.

Your regular medications may be taken at their usual time with a sip of water.

This is prepared by Anaesthetist

Dr Joanne Silverton

Bulk billing

Focus Centre does not bulk bill, we do however send claims straight to Medicare*.

*Not all surgical procedures are claimable, costs and possible rebates are always fully discussed on the day of your consultation.

Does my health insurance cover the procedure?

You are able to claim a rebate from Medicare for the cost of the consult and a majority of the diagnostic testing performed if you have a valid Medicare card. In most cases there is a gap between the amount that Medicare will rebate you and the cost of the consult. We are able to lodge your rebate with Medicare on your behalf to save you going to the Medicare office. Medicare will then either credit your nominated bank account or send you a cheque in the mail.

If you are admitted for surgery then you may be able to claim the cost from your Private Health insurance. Most private policies only cover you when you are admitted and do not cover specialist consults – for more information we recommend you contact your health fund directly.

Focus Eye Centre is recognised by Medicare, Department of Veterans Affairs and Health Insurance funds for payment of procedure rebates, accommodation and theatre and prosthesis benefits. Costs and possible rebates are always fully discussed on the day of your consultation. For an indicative cost comparative analysis, click here.

Does Focus eye centre treat overseas patients?

We regularly receive email enquiries and have treated many overseas patients from Europe, United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia & Pacific Islands.
Overseas patients find our centre suitable for their treatment for several reasons; we are very flexible with appointment and treatment schedules and the relatively low pricing structure in Australia is attractive for visitors. It is also well known that medical standards in Australia are very high.

Want to know more about your specific eye condition and its procedures…

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The Price of Sight

FREEDOM

LIFESTYLE

COMFORT

TIME SAVED

Laser Eye Surgery Cost VS Contacts

What is your time worth?

Contacts

Laser Eye Surgery

Lifetime cost of contact lenses

General FAQs

Want to know more about your specific eye condition and its procedures…

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