How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Cost in the UK? (2026)
Laser eye surgery costs in the UK: LASIK from £1,195/eye, SMILE from £1,500/eye, lens replacement from £2,500/eye. Compare prices from GOC-registered providers.
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- TreatCompare compiled research
- Primary source
- Provider-published information and TreatCompare research
- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
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- Research and comparison only
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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 |
Most clinics quote prices per eye. A procedure on both eyes typically costs double the per-eye price, though some clinics offer a package discount for bilateral treatment.
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
Lower-cost 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
Compare LASIK, SMILE, and lens replacement prices from GOC-registered UK providers.
Compare laser eye surgery pricesRelated guides
- Laser Eye Surgery Cost UK — LASIK, SMILE, and lens replacement prices
- Lower-cost Contact Lenses UK — where to buy online and save
Frequently asked questions
How much does laser eye surgery cost in the UK?
Based on prices from GOC-registered UK providers, standard LASIK starts from around £1,195 per eye (range £1,195–£2,000), SMILE from £1,500 per eye (£1,500–£2,500), and TransPRK/LASEK from £1,000–£2,000. Custom/Wavefront LASIK costs £1,500–£2,600 and ICL (Implantable Lens) £2,500–£3,500. Most clinics quote per eye, so both eyes typically cost double — though some offer a package discount.
Is laser eye surgery available on the NHS?
Laser eye surgery is generally not available on the NHS. Exceptions are very rare and limited to specific medical conditions, not routine vision correction. It must be paid for privately.
What's the difference between LASIK, SMILE, and LASEK?
LASIK creates a corneal flap, recovers in 1–2 days with minimal discomfort, but has a higher dry-eye risk. SMILE is keyhole (no flap), recovers in 2–3 days with minimal discomfort, has lower dry-eye risk, and suits thin corneas. LASEK/TransPRK has no flap, takes 5–7 days to recover with moderate discomfort in the first few days, and also suits thin corneas.
What's included in a laser eye surgery price?
A comprehensive price should include the pre-operative assessment (often free or refundable), the procedure itself (surgeon, theatre, equipment), post-operative check-ups at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, an enhancement guarantee (free re-treatment if the result is under-corrected — most clinics include this for 1–3 years), and post-operative eye drops. Lower-cost quotes may exclude the assessment, aftercare, or enhancement guarantee.
What affects the cost of laser eye surgery?
Cost depends on prescription strength (very high prescriptions may need more expensive procedures), surgeon experience (senior surgeons charge more), technology (latest-generation lasers like VisuMax 800 for SMILE Pro cost more), clinic location (London clinics typically charge 10–20% more), and the level of aftercare included.
Can I pay for laser eye surgery monthly?
Yes — most clinics offer interest-free finance, typically 0% APR over 12–24 months. Monthly payments start from £40–£80 depending on procedure, with a deposit usually 10–20% of the total cost.
Which laser eye surgery is best for high prescriptions?
Very high prescriptions may require ICL (Implantable Contact Lens), which costs £2,500–£3,500 per eye. Refractive Lens Exchange (£2,500–£4,000 per eye) is typically used for presbyopia (reading glasses) or cataracts. Standard LASIK and SMILE are more commonly used for short-sightedness and astigmatism.
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Laser Eye Surgery Prices
Compare LASIK, SMILE, lens replacement, and contact lens prices from GOC-registered UK providers.
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