Laser Eye Surgery: Should I Stay at Home or Go Abroad?

In the 2020s, we find ourselves living in a new world. The UK’s exit from the European Union, followed by the Coronavirus pandemic, made global travel more uncertain and more expensive. Yet, many may still be left wondering whether travelling abroad for Laser Eye Surgery could be a cheaper option than having treatment in the UK.

Some may even consider planning a holiday around their Laser Eye Surgery treatment – and many other elective treatments, for that matter. After all, what could be better? Soaking up some sun and sea while potentially saving money on a life-changing procedure?

This phenomenon, known as “medical tourism”, is becoming increasingly common. Moreover, a decent portion of this is made up of people looking for Laser Eye Surgery or refractive lens surgery.

There are no doubt attractions to heading abroad for elective treatments. But the big question is, “Is it really worth the risk?”.

The Price of Laser Eye Surgery Abroad

There’s no denying that many countries around the world offer cheaper prices than the UK. This can be true whether you’re looking to buy a home, a loaf of bread, or new and improved vision. In some cases, you don’t even have to travel very far. For example, some European countries, like Hungary and the Czech Republic, offer very cheap Laser Eye Surgery.

In the cheapest countries, you could expect to pay as little as a third of what Laser Eye Surgery costs in the UK. The reasons for this price difference can be many-fold, including cheaper cost of living, a beneficial exchange rate, and differing medical standards.

But just as in the UK, these lower costs may also reflect the clinics’ lack of access to the latest equipment and technology, as well as the most highly-trained surgeons.

And even if the price of Laser Eye Surgery treatment is cheaper, it is important to remember all the additional costs of travelling abroad. After all, this can end up much more than we expected at the best of times! Once all these costs are considered, it is not uncommon to find that the cost of having Laser Eye Surgery abroad can easily exceed even that of the higher-end treatments in the UK.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the main additional costs you will have to consider when having Laser Eye Surgery abroad:

Flights

The cost of flights can vary significantly from month to month and even day to day. However, depending on which country you are travelling to, you could be shelling out around £500 per person for a return flight! We say “per person” because it is generally advised that you have a friend or family member around to help in the first couple of days post-surgery.

That’s a pretty hefty additional cost – and that’s without considering the potential need for check-up appointments.

Accommodation

The next big cost to think about is your accommodation while you are abroad. Again, this can vary from place to place, but it’s not uncommon to expect to pay around £100 per night.

And you won’t be able to just hang around for a night or two. You will likely need to visit your clinic a few days before your treatment day, and once again a day or two after your procedure. Moreover, you should avoid flying until you have been signed off to do so by your surgeon. This means you should schedule for at least a week in your chosen country.

Travel Insurance

Standard medical insurance typically doesn’t cover medical treatment abroad. This means you will need to take out additional insurance, which can cost hundreds of pounds extra. But this is a cost that should not be cut as if complications arise during your treatment, you could face much higher costs in the long run!

Days off work

For many people, taking a week or two off work is relatively straightforward as they can simply allocate their holiday days. However, some people – such as those who are self-employed – will need to consider any loss of income they will incur from taking this time away from work (which will probably be longer than required when having Laser Eye Surgery in the UK).

Follow-up appointments

As mentioned, you may be required to return to the clinic for follow-up aftercare appointments with your surgeon. The costs of flights, accommodation, insurance, and days off work may therefore not be just a one-off expense. This should be factored into your overall calculation of costs.

The Risks of Having Laser Eye Surgery Abroad

Many people have happily travelled abroad for elective procedures, including Laser Eye Surgery, and come home pleased with the results. However, research from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) indicates a higher risk of complications when undergoing Laser Eye Surgery outside the UK.

This can be due to looser healthcare regulations and the exclusion of services that are considered standard in the UK, such as screening and aftercare support. In addition to this, language barriers can lead to miscommunication between doctors and patients.

But whether you decide to have Laser Eye Surgery at home or abroad, there are some things you should always ask, including:

What are the surgeon’s qualifications?

There is no international regulatory body for Laser Eye Surgery. This can make it difficult to know the standard of training of surgeons in different countries and what bodies have accredited their expertise.

While in the UK, regulations aren’t quite as stringent as some think they should be, all laser eye surgeons must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in order to be able to practice. It is also possible to find out more about a surgeon’s specific training in the field, which can vary significantly. This can be one of the best determinants when choosing the best surgeon and clinic for your treatment.

Will I meet the surgeon before the treatment?

For many people, travelling abroad for Laser Eye Surgery involves a hectic schedule that can place limits on certain aspects of their treatment. Cost and time constraints mean that you may only meet your surgeon via an online consultation before your procedure.

Meeting with your surgeon face-to-face can help with building trust and putting your mind at ease before your treatment. After all, Laser Eye Surgery and its outcomes will be with you for life, so you want to be sure you are putting your vision in the best hands. It can be hard to do this when you have only met your surgeon through a screen – and sometimes not at all!

Do the staff members speak English?

Effective communication is fundamental to quality healthcare. In the UK, this is generally something you don’t have to worry about as your surgeon and clinic staff should all be able to speak fluent English. However, when travelling abroad for treatment, language barriers can present potential problems.

Do the clinic and surgeon have good reviews?

Today, it has never been easier to access independent reviews for Laser Eye Surgery clinics. However, it can be more difficult to find reviews verified by independent bodies for clinics in other countries.

The next best thing is arguably the personal experience of someone you know. Of course, it is generally harder to find someone who has travelled abroad for Laser Eye Surgery than it is to find someone who has had successful treatment in the UK. In fact, it is likely that you already know someone who shouts about the benefits of the treatment they’ve received!

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of having Laser Eye Surgery in the UK, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out if Laser Eye Surgery could be suitable for you.