Laser Eye Surgery Cost in Canada: Does Insurance Cover?

Laser eye surgery has become an increasingly popular option for Canadians looking to correct vision problems and reduce dependency on prescription glasses or contact lenses. However, as an elective medical procedure, understanding the costs, risks, and benefits is crucial.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Laser Eye Surgery Cost in Canada. You’ll learn about the different types of procedures, average prices, what’s covered by insurance, the key factors that affect costs, and how to choose the right surgery option for your needs and budget.

What is Laser Eye Surgery? How It Corrects Vision

Laser eye surgery is the most common procedure to correct vision problems by reshaping the cornea ( the clear outer layer at the front of the eye). This reshaping changes how light rays are focused onto the retina at the back of the eye, correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.

The most common laser used is the Excimer laser, which painlessly removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue in a carefully controlled manner. The laser beam vaporizes the tissue cleanly without damaging surrounding areas, allowing the surgeon to alter the cornea’s curvature and change the way it focuses light.

Here are the six most common laser eye surgery procedures performed in Canada:

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

This was one of the first laser vision correction techniques developed in the 1990s. The surgeon removes the cornea’s thin outer layer (epithelium) before using a laser to reshape the underlying tissue. As the outer corneal layer regrows over several days, light bending improves. Recovery takes 3-8 weeks, often with more initial discomfort.

Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)

This is a variation of PRK. Rather than removing the epithelial layer completely, the surgeon loosens it and gently maneuvers it to the side. After laser reshaping of the cornea, the epithelium is smoothly repositioned back over the cornea. Healing time is faster than traditional PRK.

Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

By far the most commonly performed procedure, LASIK uses a surgical instrument called a microkeratome to create a thin, hinged corneal flap. This flap is lifted, allowing the surgeon to reshape the underlying cornea with the laser precisely. The flap is then laid back in place, adhering without stitches. Recovery is usually rapid.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)

SMILE is a newer procedure that uses a femtosecond laser to extract a thin disc-shaped slice of corneal tissue (lenticule) through a small side cut. No flap is created. The lenticule removal causes the cornea to reshape.

Epi-LASIK

A variant of LASEK where the epithelial layer is removed mechanically rather than with a blade. The epithelial layer is separated using an instrument. The Excimer laser sculpts the cornea without cutting a flap. The epithelium is then repositioned. Less invasive than LASIK with a slower recovery.

What is the Average Cost of Laser Eye Surgery in Canada?

The cost of laser eye surgery varies significantly based on the procedure, technology, surgeon’s experience, and clinic location. Here is an overview of the average cost per eye for common laser eye surgery procedures in Canada:

Procedure	Average Cost Per Eye
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)	$1,800 – $3,000
Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)	$1,500 – $3,000
Traditional LASIK (Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis)	$1,500 – $3,000
Custom LASIK (Wavefront-LASIK)	$2,500 – $4,000
Bladeless LASIK (IntraLASIK)	$2,200 – $3,200
Epi-LASIK	$1,500 – $3,000
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)	$2,000 – $3,500
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)	$3,500 – $5,000

Note: These prices are estimates. Prices are higher in major urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver compared to smaller cities.

As you can see, prices overlap for several procedures but generally range from around $1,500 to $3,000 per eye. The type of procedure used will depend on the severity of your vision problem, the health of your eyes, lifestyle factors and the surgeon’s recommendation.

With such a wide range of prices, it pays to shop around for competitive pricing from reputable clinics in your local area. Get quotes from at least 2-3 providers before deciding. Beware of clinics that seem “too good to be true” with pricing well below the norm.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Unfortunately, laser vision correction is considered an elective procedure, so provincial health plans across Canada do not cover it. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), Alberta Health Care, BC Medical Services Plan and other provincial plans only cover medically necessary eye procedures, not elective ones solely for vision correction.

However, some options may provide partial coverage:

• Employee Benefit Plans – A minority of generous employee benefits packages cover a portion of laser eye surgery costs, normally up to a maximum limit per employee. But most employers don’t offer this coverage. Check with your human resources department.
• Supplemental Private Health Insurance – Some supplemental health insurance plans help cover vision care, like laser eye surgery, that is excluded from provincial plans. Compare plans and premiums from top providers like Manulife, Sun Life, Blue Cross and others.
• Health Saving Accounts (HSAs) – If offered by your employer, HSAs allow you to allocate pre-tax income to pay for procedures not covered by your provincial or group health insurance. The funds accumulate tax-free.
• Use Health Insurance for the Post-Op Care – Even if your health insurance won’t pay for the actual laser eye procedure, take advantage of covered benefits like prescription drugs, eye exams and specialist visits for your post-operative care afterwards.

While full insurance coverage for LASIK is uncommon, take advantage of any resources you have access to to reduce costs.

Who is Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery?

While many people can benefit from laser vision correction, some important factors determine whether you are a suitable candidate. Your ophthalmologist will carefully evaluate your eyes, medical history and lifestyle to advise you on the risks and benefits.

In general, good candidates for laser eye surgery are:

• Adults over 18 years old with stable vision
• Have no signs of retinal disease, glaucoma, cataracts or other eye conditions
• Do not have an autoimmune disease like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis
• Have no history of herpes simplex virus or eye inflammation
• Have realistic expectations of outcomes
• Do not take medications that thin the blood or interfere with healing
• Not pregnant or nursing

Those who may not be suitable candidates include people with very high degrees of nearsightedness, dry eyes, thin corneas, and certain medical conditions like diabetes, collagen vascular diseases and keratoconus.

Always consult with an experienced refractive surgeon to determine if you are a good contender for laser vision correction procedures. Do not rely solely on marketing materials or advice from friends. A detailed clinical assessment is required.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery?

For those tired of dealing with glasses and contacts, laser eye surgery offers these advantages:

• Freedom from Glasses and Contacts – Enjoy clear unaided vision without the need to find, insert, clean and carry vision correction everywhere. No more irritation from contact lenses.
• Long-Term Cost Savings – While the upfront cost is high, it can be more affordable over a lifetime compared to the recurring costs of glasses, contact lenses, and solutions.
• Lifestyle Convenience – Glasses can limit certain sports and activities. Laser eye surgery provides crisp, unaided vision for improved performance.
• Reduced Risk of Eye Infections – Contact lenses increase the risk of corneal ulcers and eye infections. Laser eye surgery eliminates this issue.

For the right candidates, LASIK and related procedures can provide years of clear and natural vision without needing any vision aids. However, as we’ll discuss next, these procedures do come with some unique risks and side effects.

What Are the Risks and Potential Side Effects?

All surgeries, including laser eye procedures, carry some degree of risk. It’s important to understand both the short-term side effects and long-term complications that can occur. Here are some of the main ones associated with laser eye procedures:

Short-Term Side Effects

Dry eyes are the most common side effect. Others include light sensitivity, glare, halos around lights, and minor discomfort. These usually resolve within weeks to months.

• Dry eyes – Tear production can be disrupted, but usually normalizes within several weeks or months. Lubricating drops provide relief.
• Light sensitivity – Bright light may seem overly intense at first. Sunglasses help during recovery.
• Visual fluctuations – Visual acuity can fluctuate during the initial healing stages.
• Redness – Some injection (redness) of the white part of the eye often occurs and resolves quickly.
• Irritation or burning – Mild discomfort is common but manageable with medication.
• Haze – Some procedures, like PRK, can cause temporary corneal haze affecting vision.

With protective eye drops, rest, and sunglasses, most people recover rapidly from these initial side effects within days or weeks.

Long-Term Complications

While less common, some potential long-term complications include:

• Under/Over-Correction – Occasionally, vision is still not fully corrected, requiring a secondary enhancement procedure.
• Loss of Best Vision – A small percentage of patients lose one or more lines of best-corrected vision.
• Night Vision Issues – Some people experience difficulty driving at night due to glare, halos and starbursts around light sources.
• Corneal Ectasia – Weakening and bulging of the cornea occur in rare cases.
• Infection – Severe infection is very rare but can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

Your risk profile, based on the health of your eyes and the stability of your prescription, determines the likelihood of complications. Following your surgeon’s post-op care instructions can help prevent issues. Maintain follow-up exams for at least one year.

While laser eye surgery is considered safe overall, ensure you understand both the expected side effects and rare but serious risks before proceeding.

How to Choose a Reputable Laser Eye Surgery Clinic

One of the most important choices you’ll make is where to have laser eye surgery performed. Do your research to pick an experienced refractive surgeon who uses advanced equipment and has an excellent safety record.

Here are ten tips for finding the best laser eye surgery clinic:

• Get referrals from trusted eye doctors rather than relying on ads or deals.
• Look for surgeons certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada who specialize in refractive procedures.
• Ask how long the clinic has been in business and how many procedures the surgeon has performed. Look for experience of at least 10+ years.
• Consider clinics affiliated with academic institutions and teaching hospitals that conduct research and train new surgeons.
• Look for clinics using advanced lasers like Visx Star S4 IRe with IRIS registration for precision.
• Ask about their sterilization procedures to prevent infections.
• Enquire about their complication rate and the number of re-treatments needed. Lower is better.
• Get cost quotes from 2-3 clinics before deciding. Avoid the lowest prices.
• Verify all clinic credentials, surgeon certifications and operating licenses to ensure legitimacy.
• Read reviews, but beware, fake positive reviews are common. Rely more on word of mouth.

A reputable clinic with an experienced, knowledgeable staff will also take time to thoroughly evaluate your eyes and explain your options. Never feel pressured into any procedure before you are ready.

Payment Plans and Financing Options for Laser Eye Surgery

Since laser vision correction is not covered by provincial health plans, you must pay privately. With costs ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 for both eyes, financing options are essential for most Canadians.

Many clinics offer payment plans to help you budget for laser eye surgery over time. Two popular options are:

Flexible or Interest-Free Financing

• Pay no interest or fees when repaying in installments over 6-24 months
• Monthly payments are simply the total cost divided by the repayment term
• Apply directly through the clinic or lenders like Medicard

Medical Loans

• Borrow a lump sum and repay with interest over 1-5 years
• Offered by lending companies like Refresh Financial and Credit Medical
• Allows you to shop around for the best laser eye surgery price

Compare all the financing offers available through clinics and medical lending companies. Look for flexible terms with no hidden fees.

Some other tips for affording laser eye surgery include:

• Use tax refunds, bonuses or monetary gifts to pay for surgery
• Apply for a personal loan or secured line of credit at your bank
• Put the cost on a rewards credit card and repay over time
• Consider medical tourism for affordable surgery abroad

With numerous financing solutions available, you can achieve a clear, natural vision while staying within budget.

The Leading Laser Eye Surgery Providers in Canada

Some of the top national laser eye surgery chains and local clinics to consider across the country include:

Location	Clinics
National Chains	Herzig Eye Institute Lasik MD Bochner Eye Institute TLC Canada
British Columbia	Pacific Laser Eye Centre (Vancouver) London Eye Centre (Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Richmond) Clay Adams LASIK (Kelowna)
Alberta	Insight Eye Centre (Calgary) Crystal Vision Centre (Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer) Mann Eye Institute (Edmonton)
Saskatchewan	Wilson Eye Care Centre (Saskatoon, Regina) Crack Eye Care Centre (Saskatoon, Prince Albert)
Manitoba	Victoria Vision Centre (Winnipeg, Brandon) Sterling Vision Centre (Winnipeg)
Ontario	Bochner Eye Institute (Toronto) TLC Laser Eye Centres (Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga, London, Kitchener, Windsor, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Barrie, Kingston) St. Mary Laser Eye Centre (Hamilton)
Quebec	Lasik MD (Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau) Bochner LASIK (Montreal) IRIS The Visual Group (Montreal, Quebec City)
New Brunswick	Fundy Eye Centre (Saint John) Hawk Eye Centre (Moncton)
Nova Scotia	Halifax Vision Centre LaserEye Halifax

Research top-rated clinics in your local area that meet your needs. Book consultations to get examined and have all your questions answered.

Key Questions to Ask at Your Laser Eye Surgery Consultation

During your initial consultation, you should ask your potential surgeon plenty of questions to determine if they are the right fit. Here are some important ones to get answered:

• How many laser vision correction procedures have you performed?
• What is your specialization and training background?
• Will you be performing the entire procedure or just assisting?
• What types of procedures do you recommend for my vision issue and prescription?
• Do you use the latest laser technologies like Iris Registration and Wavefront?
• What is your clinic’s safety record and complication rate?
• What type of post-operative care do you provide?
• How soon can I expect to see well and recover fully?
• What results can I realistically expect?
• What are the major risks I should be aware of?
• What will you do if I need an enhancement or touch-up procedure later?
• Exactly what is included in the total procedure cost?

A skilled surgeon will take time to address these questions and avoid pressuring you to book laser eye surgery on the spot. Do not proceed unless fully comfortable.

Alternatives to Laser Eye Surgery for Vision Correction

If you don’t qualify for laser eye surgery, want to delay it, or are concerned about potential complications, alternatives do exist, including:

Orthokeratology – Gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea and correct vision during the day.

Presbyopia-Correcting Contact Lenses – Soft contacts with a multifocal design to correct both distance and near vision.

Refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery – Replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens to restore focusing ability.

Conductive keratoplasty (CK) – Radiofrequency energy is applied to the cornea perimeter to reshape it and correct mild farsightedness and astigmatism in older patients.

Intracorneal ring segments – Small arc-shaped plastic rings implanted in the peripheral cornea to correct mild nearsightedness.

Eyeglasses – Don’t overlook new high-tech glasses! Lighter materials, digital screens, and advanced coatings make glasses a better option than ever.

Do your research before committing to any eye surgery. There may be less permanent options that can keep you seeing clearly.

While laser eye surgery can be a major investment, financial planning and understanding all your healthcare costs is key. Be sure to also learn about other important monetary subjects for Canadians:

• Canada Child Benefit
• Average salary in Canada
• Canadian Income Tax Brackets.

Summary: Is Laser Eye Surgery Worth the Cost for You?

While laser vision correction offers real benefits like freedom from glasses and contacts, the procedures do come with risks, side effects, and significant upfront costs not covered by public or private health insurance.

Carefully weigh the pros and cons of your individual situation before deciding if laser eye surgery is worth the price. Get expert clinical advice on your candidacy. Beware of deals that seem too good to be true. Read reviews and choose your surgeon very carefully.

For the right candidates, laser eye surgery can be a sound investment, providing years of clear, unaided vision that enhances work performance, sports abilities and overall lifestyle. But approach this elective surgery as you would any other major purchase involving your health. Do your homework to make sure you get the best value for your money.

FAQs on Laser Eye Surgery Cost in Canada

Sources:

• Laser eye surgery – canada.ca