Are You Spending Too Much on Laser Eye Surgery?
Cost is one of the biggest considerations for individuals considering Laser Eye Surgery – and understandably so. And with so many options out there, making a final decision can seem overwhelming to say the least. After all, there are budget high-street providers, independent clinics, and everything in between to consider!
So, how will you know if you’re paying the right price for Laser Eye Surgery?
The question of price
These days, we are all quick to get our hands on a bargain wherever we can. From supermarket membership cards to good old “BOGOF” offers, many of us have ha to become increasingly savvy in our consumption. And this can even seen to be bleeding through to the Laser Eye Surgery industry.
“We’ve slashed treatment prices in our Spring/Summer sale!”
“Laser Eye Surgery is now more affordable than ever!”
But while most of us have more wits about us than to fall for misleading sales copy and flashy marketing campaigns, decoding terms and conditions and added costs can be more time-consuming and confusing than we might realise – indeed, it is often designed to be this way! So, we might brush over the details and push ahead with the cheapest option.
This might work out. But there’s always the chance you’ll be blindsided with additional fees or even be left disappointed with your Laser Eye Surgery results.
Unfortunately, weak regulation in the Laser Eye Surgery field means that some providers undercut the market with sub-par treatments. So, to help you find the right balance between cost and quality, we’re outlining the top five things you should consider when choosing your Laser Eye Surgery provider.
1. Your Prescription
Generally speaking, it is more difficult to treat higher prescriptions. This is because they tend to require high-profile treatments, which include a more thorough screening process and cutting-edge technology. This means treating higher prescriptions tends to be more expensive.
While you might be tempted by a cheap price, many Laser Eye Surgery providers, including most high-street clinics, are simply unable to treat higher prescriptions. This is due to their lack of access to the latest technology and experienced surgeons. Moreover, often the advertised price of Laser Eye Surgery in truth only applies to a very specific range of prescriptions, leaving many prospective clients disappointed in the end.
2. The Surgeon’s Experience
Speaking of experienced surgeons, this is another important consideration when weighing up the cost of Laser Eye Surgery. As mentioned above, regulation of the Laser Eye Surgery sector is much looser than you might think. In fact, the only legal requirement for an individual to practice Laser Eye Surgery is that they have a standard board certification in ophthalmology.
As a result, the experience of Laser Eye Surgeons can vary greatly between clinics. As you can imagine, cheaper providers tend to employ less experienced surgeons in order to keep their costs down.
3. The Quality of the Clinic
On the flip side of the comment above, more experienced surgeons tend to work at higher-quality clinics. But what makes a Laser Eye Surgery clinic high quality? Well, while high-street Laser Eye Surgery providers aim to treat high volumes of patients to justify their low costs, independent and private clinics focus on providing high-quality care to a smaller number of patients.
While the former model often involves compromising on many important factors, such as time spent with your surgeon, the extent of the screening process, and aftercare, the latter aims to deliver high-quality care at every point in the process. This typically improves the potential for experiencing a safe, effective, and comfortable treatment.
4. The Technology
As we also touched on above, independent and private clinics tend to have access to the latest Laser Eye Surgery technology. In fact, in the case of London Vision Clinic, our founder and expert surgeon, Professor Dan Reinstein, has helped to develop some of the most cutting-edge technology in the field. Staying up to date with the latest advancements in the field allows us to apply the strictest safety protocols and quality control and achieve the best efficacy rates.
In contrast, as another way to minimise costs, high street providers often use older technology and delay updating their equipment to more modern versions.
5. The Patient Experience
Finally, while access to an expert surgeon and the latest treatments are incredibly important, prospective patients also want to have a pleasant and personal experience. While countless providers have popped up around the country to capitalise on the huge demand for Laser Eye Surgery, they often forget about this important consideration.
Rather than rushing through your screening appointment (our consultations regularly take 3 hours or more), limiting time spent with the treating surgeon, and often failing to adequately explain the procedure and its risks to patients, high-quality clinics will prioritise each of these factors. After all, your comfort throughout the Laser Eye Surgery process is paramount.
Going Ahead with a High-Quality Clinic
The fact is, Laser Eye Surgery treatment at independent and private clinics is more expensive than their high-street counterparts – for all the reasons listed in this article. However, at the London Vision Clinic, we are dedicated to making high-quality treatment available to as many patients as possible.
We offer finance options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment. This means you can pay for Laser Eye Surgery over a number of months – interest-free!
Moreover, you can rest assured that everything you need for your treatment is included in our price. From follow-up appointments, aftercare such as eyedrops, and even enhancement procedures when necessary – you won’t have to worry about any sneaky hidden fees!
So, if you want to learn more about the costs, benefits, and risks of Laser Eye Surgery, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly and knowledgeable clinic coordinators – we’re always happy to help! Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to find out if Laser Eye Surgery is the choice for you.