How much is laser eye surgery in Canada? 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enjoy clear vision without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses? When it comes to vision correction, you’re not without choices. Understanding the cost of LASIK is important for making an informed decision.

Laser eye surgery (or LASIK) is arguably the best option for most people who want permanent vision correction.

However, LASIK is not for everyone. It only fixes some vision issues.

Costs can also vary depending on the procedure type and other factors. If you’re considering laser eye surgery, it's important to get the big picture of LASIK costs, including surgical fees, post-operative care, and follow-up appointments. Let's dive into the details.

How does laser eye surgery work?

LASIK eye surgery, a type of refractive surgery, uses laser technology to correct refractive errors by reshaping the corneal tissue. A refractive error occurs when the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped tissue that allows light to enter the inside—can’t bend (refract) light correctly. LASIK, or laser eye surgery, involves changing the shape of the cornea to correct your vision.

In a healthy eye, the cornea bends light to focus precisely on the retina. However, for people with nearsightedness or other vision problems, the cornea doesn’t bend light correctly, leading to blurred vision. Laser eye surgery can correctly provide long-lasting vision. While LASIK is considered a permanent procedure, it doesn’t prevent age-related vision changes.

Who is a good candidate for eye surgery?

If you want permanent vision correction, you may wonder if laser eye surgery is right for you.

LASIK is a popular procedure for correcting poor vision, and most people have good results. But it is not for everyone. Your eye surgeon is the best person to judge whether you should go for LASIK. They will thoroughly evaluate your eyes and ask detailed health-related questions to determine if LASIK suits you. Consulting with reputable LASIK clinics can provide you with detailed evaluations and specific pricing information tailored to your needs.

Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is an alternative vision correction option for those who may not be suitable for LASIK. RLE might be safer or more suitable for certain patients, though it tends to be more expensive than other laser eye surgery options.

You are likely to be a good candidate for LASIK if:

You are over 18

You must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for laser eye surgery. This is because the eyes continue to develop and change until this age, and laser eye surgery is not recommended for individuals with unstable vision.

Your eye prescription is stable

Your eye prescription must be stable to be a good candidate for laser eye surgery. This means that your vision should not have changed significantly over the past year. If your prescription changes, you may not be a good candidate for laser eye surgery.

You don’t have dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that can cause discomfort and vision problems. If you have dry eye syndrome, you may not be a good candidate for laser eye surgery. This is because the procedure can exacerbate dry eye symptoms, and you may need to undergo additional treatment to manage your dry eye before undergoing laser eye surgery.

You’re not pregnant or nursing

Laser eye surgery is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect the eyes and vision, and laser eye surgery may not be effective or safe during this time.

You don’t have diabetes

Diabetes is considered a relative contradiction to laser eye surgery. In simple language, this means LASIK is generally not recommended for people with diabetes, though it may be performed in certain situations.

The less controlled your blood sugar is, the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication that affects the retina and can cause vision loss and even blindness.

If you have diabetes but your blood sugar is well-controlled, and your eye prescription is persistently stable, you may be a candidate for the surgery. If not, this procedure is not recommended (did you know you can get life insurance with diabetes?)

You don’t have an autoimmune disease

It is not considered safe for people with autoimmune diseases because they have a higher risk of developing infections, dry eyes, and other complications after the procedure.

You don’t have serious vision problems

People with severe vision or eye problems are not good candidates for laser vision correction procedures, as they may need satisfactory results.

You have realistic expectations

LASIK surgery can significantly reduce or eliminate dependence on contact lenses or glasses. However, not everyone will have perfect vision after the procedure. You should have realistic expectations regarding what the surgery can and cannot do for you.

You don’t have thin corneas

LASIK surgery makes the cornea thinner to some degree. So, if you already have thin corneas, it may be unsafe for you.

Common laser eye surgery cost and procedure

LASIK offers many years of improved vision and is considered a permanent procedure. But since most personal health insurance plans don’t cover LASIK costs, you may wonder, “How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?”

LASIK cost in Canada can vary drastically between surgery types, ranging from basic LASIK to custom LASIK, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye. Several other factors can also affect the cost even if you have health insurance, including the health of your eye and the procedure and clinic you choose. The table below shows the average cost of laser eye surgery by procedure.

Even though laser eye surgery cost has come down considerably over the past few decades, for most people, it is still on the pricy side to pay out of pocket. Most eye clinics offer different monthly finance options, including interest-free options, to help you spread the LASIK cost instead of paying it in total upfront.

Conclusion

LASIK is a laser eye surgery procedure that can correct vision in people with vision-related problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. You may want to consider it if you are over 18, have a stable eye prescription for at least one year, and do not have an autoimmune disease or diabetes. 

The laser eye surgery cost in Canada typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on the procedure type, severity of vision impairment, and your choice of clinic. Since LASIK cost varies widely across clinics, shop for the best deal. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is laser eye surgery safe?

Laser eye surgery is generally considered a safe procedure, and most people are satisfied with the results. Specific side effects, such as mild discomfort, sensitivity to light, and dry eyes, are common.

In most cases, these clear up within a few days or weeks. In rare cases, an individual can experience eye dryness lasting three to four months, but artificial tears can help resolve this issue. However, like any other surgical procedure, the possibility of long-term complications cannot be completely ruled out. In rare cases, individuals may develop symptoms like double vision, halos, glare, or dry eye syndrome. 

Is LASIK surgery better than getting contact lenses?

This depends on individual needs, but there’s no denying the fact that LASIK surgery has several benefits over contact lenses. It is a safe, highly effective medical procedure that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. 

While LASIK surgery is expensive upfront, it offers a long-term solution, delivering a life free of contact lenses or glasses. Another benefit is that there is less risk of eye infection. Contact lenses carry a risk of eye infections, such as keratitis. But if you opt for LASIK surgery, your risk of infection is significantly reduced once your eyes have healed.

Finally, LASIK surgery provides more freedom by preventing the need to carry contact lenses, as well as contact lens fluid and spare lenses, whenever you leave the house.  

Does health insurance cover LASIK eye surgery?

Your provincial health plan will likely cover something other than LASIK eye surgery. However, you can supplement it with a personal health insurance policy, which may cover cosmetic procedures such as LASIK eye surgery. 

Canada has a robust universal healthcare system funded through tax. Your provincial or territorial health plan can cover most of your health needs, including hospital and doctor visits. However, cosmetic or elective procedures are not covered, and the same may be true for other healthcare and paramedical services.

Private health insurance can cover things excluded from your government healthcare plan, reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses. Supplementing your provincial health insurance plan with an individual health insurance policy is good.