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Thinking of getting LASIK surgery but not sure if it’s worth the cost?
As LASIK surgery can easily set you back by a few thousand dollars, it is important to make an informed decision before you spend your hard earned money on laser eye surgery. This is why we have put together this comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the cost of LASIK eye surgery in Singapore.
You may be surprised to learn that the LASIK Singapore price is actually affordable at some clinics. Coupled with Singapore’s experienced surgeons, you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible care for your eyes.
Read this article now and learn everything you need about the cost of LASIK surgery in Singapore!
LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a type of refractive surgery used to correct vision problems. The procedure involves using a laser to reshape your cornea, which is the transparent outer layer of your eye.
LASIK can improve vision by correcting so-called “refractive errors” caused by your cornea not bending light correctly. The result of your poorly-shaped cornea is blurry vision. These conditions include:
LASIK is one of the most commonly performed refractive surgeries and is considered safe and effective. In most cases, patients will experience significantly improved vision after the procedure.
Important note: LASIK is not suitable for everyone. Before the procedure, you should consult an ophthalmologist to determine if you are a good candidate.
In general, the effects of LASIK are long-lasting, but they may not be permanent. Most people with LASIK will never need to have their vision corrected again.
However, a small percentage of people may experience a gradual deterioration of their vision over time, which may require another procedure to maintain clear vision.
Why does this happen?
Well, age-related eye changes are a fact of life. So, while LASIK eye surgery is permanent, some of the benefits you’re noticing now may wane with time.
The good news is this only happens to about 10-12% of the patients undergoing LASIK surgery. And the follow-up operation is just an enhancement to the previous one.
The other good news is that, even if you are in this group, you may not need the surgery for at least a decade or more.
So, your LASIK surgery will last a lifetime in the best-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, you will have to do a repeat enhancement procedure ten years after the first surgery.
While LASIK eye surgery is generally safe, there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of.
The most common side effect is dry eye, which can cause symptoms like blurry vision, itching, and redness. Dry eye happens because the eye doesn’t produce enough tears, and it can be remedied with artificial tears or other treatments.
Other potential side effects include:
These usually go away within a few weeks or months, but in rare cases, they may be permanent.
Some people also experience changes in their night vision after LASIK surgery.
LASIK is a safe and effective way to improve vision, but like any surgery, (some degree of) risk is inherent. Before the procedure, you should talk to your ophthalmologist at length about the possible side effects.
Let’s review them below:
Thinning cornea means just what it sounds like: your cornea becomes thinner after the LASIK surgery. In some cases, this can cause your vision to become impaired.
There’s good news:
Thinning cornea happens in just 0.04% to 0.06% of cases worldwide, so chances are you will be fine.
Standard LASIK eye surgery uses a laser to reshape your cornea after previously creating a flap. Afterwards, the original flap is returned to its original position.
This procedure sometimes confuses current medical measuring machines. Therefore, if you need cataract surgery in the future, your readings may be off.
What does that mean?
Luckily, nothing serious for your health or the risks of that potential cataract surgery.
However, your surgeon might not get the right results, so you might need to wear glasses again if you’re undergoing a cataract operation.
To avoid this, ask your doctor about the advantages of the no-flap LASIK surgery.
Let’s say you develop glaucoma at some point in the future. Glaucoma is an eye condition that increases pressure in your eyes.
If you have LASIK surgery, there is a chance that the machine measuring this pressure will give inaccurate readings. The reason for this is the same as we explained before (that extra flap).
The result is difficulty diagnosing or treating future potential glaucoma in its early stages.
Tell your doctor about your LASIK surgery before any glaucoma testing to avoid any issues.
The flap is the part of your cornea that’s cut during LASIK surgery so that the surgeon can access your eyeball and treat it.
Sometimes, this flap can become damaged, deformed, or dislodged. When this happens, you might need surgery to repair the flap.
This complication is very rare, happening in only 0.3% to 5.7% of cases.
However, if it does happen, it’s usually because of an error on the surgeon’s part. Choosing a reputable and experienced surgeon for your LASIK surgery is crucial.
Besides, this damage is not irreversible; even in the worst-case scenario, you can still correct it later.
Regression after your LASIK surgery means that your vision starts to become worse again. Reasons include:
Regression is usually mild and can be fixed with a second surgery, but in some cases, it can be severe enough to cause needing glasses or contact lenses again.
Don’t let all that scare you.
The pre-operation stages are extensive and comprehensive. Your doctor will conduct numerous tests, examinations, and simulations to give you a realistic ballpark of where your vision will be post-surgery.
For example, if you have severe myopia now, with -13/-14 diopters, your post-LASIK diopters may be just around -0.5/-1.
Now that we know about LASIK’s risks and side effects let’s see if you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
The best candidates for LASIK are:
LASIK may not be the right option for you if you have:
Also, keep in mind that LASIK is not recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
You can choose to have your LASIK eye surgery in Singapore’s public and private clinics. As you can imagine, public hospitals and clinics are usually more affordable.
Here are some public institutions that would make a good choice:
| LASIK clinic | Price |
|---|---|
| Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) | $1,359 to $1,959 Surgery: $1,200 to $1,795 (depending on LASIK technology and surgeon’s expertise) Consult: $159 to $164 |
| National University Hospital (NUH) | $2,202 to $3,275 Surgery: $2,050 to $3,073 (depending on LASIK technology and surgeon’s expertise) Consult: $102 |
| Medication: $50-$100 | |
| Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) | $1,701.3 to $1,984.28 Surgery: $1,498 to $1,766 (depending on LASIK technology and surgeon’s expertise) Assessment: $85.60 Pre-op consult: $117.70 to $132.68 |
And since most people usually follow the middle ground option, it’s no wonder they choose the National Eye Centre for LASIK. As you can see, this clinic has intermediate price options for LASIK in Singapore.
LASIK Singapore prices are higher in the private sector. Here’s what you can expect at the top private clinics on the island (for both eyes):
| LASIK Clinic | Price |
|---|---|
| Atlas Eye Specialist Centre | From $4,872 Consult: From $172 Follow-up: $97 Extended consultation: From $225 Medical report: $282 Surgery: $3900 Post-op review: $97 each Medication: $99-$125 (first set) |
| Asia Pacific Eye Centre | From $3,197.34 Pre-LASIK Eye Screening: $210.97 Standard LASIK: From $2,986.37 iLASIK (Wavefront Customised): From $3,709.69 |
| LSE Eye Clinic | From: $3,462 Eye assessment: $27 (for same-day surgery); $214 for adults, including consult Basic eye test: $33-$54/ visit Surgery: $3,198 Standard; $4,375 customised/ topography-guided; $4,375 PRESBYOND for presbyopia Medication: $97 |
| Additional review within a year: $86 Medical report: From $107 Eye tests and medication for enhancement surgery (within two years) plus three post-op reviews: $295 | |
| Eagle Eye Centre | From $3,250 No data about consults, medications, and report fees included Surgery cost: $3,250 for Epi-LASIK (thin corneas and active people); $3,450 (thick corneas) |
| Clearvision Eye Clinic | From $4,025.5 Suitability Evaluation: $37.50 ReLEx SMILE: $5,188 EpiLASIK: $3,988 Femto-LASIK: $3,988 Enhancement Surgery (one eye): $1,188 |
You can pay for LASIK eye surgery using your savings or by getting a convenient instalment plan. Some private clinics work with specific banks to offer 0% interest instalment plans with 6-12 month tenures.
Participating credit cards usually include:
However, check with your clinic for more personalised information.
Pro tip: It’s also wise to check if your Medisave can cover the cost of your LASIK eye surgery. Although you can’t always use Medisave, some circumstances include:
And all that will get you a maximum of $300/day for hospital charges. Medisave will only pay a maximum of $30/day for your doctor’s fees out of that $300/day amount.
Unfortunately, your other medical insurances won’t cover the LASIK Singapore price because:
The cost of LASIK eye surgery in Singapore starts at $1,359 in public hospitals, climbing up to around $5,000 in private clinics.
The LASIK Singapore price is lower in public clinics, but private ones have cheaper initial assessments. Besides, they offer more precise price plans from the get-go.
That means you can gauge your necessary expenses better.
On the downside, public clinics are more expensive and include other fees (sometimes hidden). For example, the cost of medication and medical reports isn’t always disclosed.
You should also pick the right option for your future needs.
For example, your initial assessment might signal a significant probability for your eye problems to return. In this case, you should also enquire about the enhancement surgery cost and take that into account before choosing a clinic.
Remember to check your payment options and see what the clinic agrees to.
Warning: LASIK is a delicate procedure. Although the cost of LASIK eye surgery is important, it shouldn’t be the determining factor.
There are more risks associated with an inexperienced surgeon or dated procedures. If you want to minimise those risks as much as possible, looking at other financing options is best.
At Money Kinetics, we believe that loans should be made accessible to everyone. Looking for a personal loan to cover the cost of your LASIK surgery? Retrieve a slew of quotes in just a few minutes. All you have to do is use your SingPass and apply here.
You will be well on your way to 20/20 vision!
