How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Cost in the UK? (2026)

How much does laser eye surgery cost in the UK? Prices depend on the procedure type, your prescription, and the clinic. Based on prices from GOC-registered UK providers, standard LASIK starts from around £1,195 per eye and SMILE from £1,500 per eye.

Prices by procedure type

| Procedure | Typical price per eye | Best for | |-----------|---------------------|----------| | Standard LASIK | £1,195–£2,000 | Short-sightedness, astigmatism | | Custom/Wavefront LASIK | £1,500–£2,600 | Higher-order corrections | | SMILE | £1,500–£2,500 | Short-sightedness, thin corneas | | TransPRK/LASEK | £1,000–£2,000 | Thin corneas, active lifestyles | | ICL (Implantable Lens) | £2,500–£3,500 | Very high prescriptions | | Refractive Lens Exchange | £2,500–£4,000 | Presbyopia (reading glasses), cataracts |

What is included in the price?

This varies significantly between clinics. A comprehensive price should include:

• Pre-operative assessment — detailed eye examination (often free or refundable)
• The procedure — surgeon, theatre, and equipment
• Post-operative care — check-ups at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months
• Enhancement — a free re-treatment if the result is under-corrected (most clinics include this for 1–3 years)
• Eye drops — post-operative drops for healing

Cheaper quotes may exclude the assessment, aftercare appointments, or enhancement guarantee. Always ask for the total inclusive price.

Factors that affect cost

• Prescription strength: Very high prescriptions may require more expensive procedures
• Surgeon experience: Senior surgeons with extensive experience charge more
• Technology: Latest-generation lasers (e.g., VisuMax 800 for SMILE Pro) cost more
• Clinic location: London clinics typically charge 10–20% more
• Aftercare included: Clinics with comprehensive aftercare packages charge more upfront

LASIK vs SMILE vs LASEK — which to choose?

| | LASIK | SMILE | LASEK/TransPRK | |---|---|---|---| | Recovery time | 1–2 days | 2–3 days | 5–7 days | | Discomfort | Minimal | Minimal | Moderate (first few days) | | Flap created? | Yes | No (keyhole) | No | | Dry eye risk | Higher | Lower | Lower | | Suitable for thin corneas | Sometimes | Yes | Yes |

Financing laser eye surgery

Most clinics offer interest-free finance:

• 0% APR: Typically available for 12–24 months
• Monthly payments: From £40–£80/month depending on procedure
• Deposit: Usually 10–20% required

NHS availability

Laser eye surgery is generally not available on the NHS. Exceptions are very rare and limited to specific medical conditions (not routine vision correction).

Compare laser eye surgery prices

Related guides

• Laser Eye Surgery Cost UK — LASIK, SMILE, and lens replacement prices
• Cheapest Contact Lenses UK — where to buy online and save