LASIK, LASEK, PRK Corrective Surgery Sydney

Linsertusernamehere on 17/03/2010 - 17:18
Last edited 17/03/2010 - 17:34

I realise it's not something you wan't a bargain on, I'm not after that, I'm more looking for advice from people on here that may have had a procedure done in Sydney and at what costs. I went to a clinic today and was told it was $3,250 (PRK) and $3,750 (iLASIK) PER EYE! Now, that said, I'm happy to pay it but I honestly thought it was going to be cheaper than that. This clinic used the latest laser and each eye is custom mapped etc, all the bells and whistles.

I HAVE to get PRK/LASEK, LASIK isn't an option as I'm looking to enter the Airforce as aircrew and they won't accept LASIK.

So, anyone got any ideas, places, costs, stories??

General Discussion

Comments

  • Benmc on 17/03/2010 - 22:11

    Which place did you go to? From the sound of it, perfect vision laser?

    Lasik is $3200 at the Vision Eye Institute, but i'm not sure how much LASEK is.

    Cheers

  • insertusernamehere on 17/03/2010 - 22:18

    Yeah went to perfect vision in Hornsby. I just find it crazy that i know someone who got normal lasik 2 years ago for 1250 per eye. I guess newer technology means more $$ but it's a big difference. LASIK 1250, iLASIK 3750…

  • zhenjie on 17/03/2010 - 22:28

    Do you need to have it done in Australia? Singapore is a fantastic place to get PRK/Lasek done. You'd still be on top even when you factor in some cheap to moderate airfares and accommodation. PRice is generally around $1,000-$1500 per eye over there.

  • insertusernamehere on 18/03/2010 - 21:43

    I'd prefer to have it done here to be honest, follow up appointments etc. Plus the perfect vision gives free adjustments etc…can't get that in Singapore unless I fly back.

    • dealman on 10/09/2011 - 11:01

      Also even though I am from overseas <read india> where its a lot cheaper. I'd be would get it done here in Australia just because of the trust factor.

      If anything went wrong , today tonite will be on the clinic here so they have an enormous incentive to get things done right, whereas in India / or singapore, well , lets just say its not the same.

  • scozbargain on 19/03/2010 - 09:13
    +1

    Are you sure about the air force accepting PRK but not Lasik? I had PRK done and was told could expect "haloing". Didn't get it, but it sounded like a common side effect. My result wasn't good, not better or worse, just different, and cannot be corrected because there is not enough cornea left to rework.

    That said, my friend has recently had it done and can read number plates for the first time ever. Sorry, cannot help with the price although recommend selecting by surgeon rather than price as it IS your only set of eyes.

  • insertusernamehere on 19/03/2010 - 21:25

    100% sure about them not accepting it.
    Yeah I'm not concerned about the price, like I said I'm happy (sorta) to pay it, I was just seeing if others had had good experiences elsewhere and at what prices/is that price normal. Thanks for your comments, hopefully my result is better.

  • timhn on 30/03/2010 - 22:31

    I did the operation here late last year

    http://www.aies.com.au/inside/about.html

    $2500 for both eyes

    • mangew on 28/04/2011 - 18:21

      Had it done by same mob nearly 2 yrs ago. Still fine.

  • insertusernamehere on 30/03/2010 - 23:03

    Had looked at them timhn but pretty sure they only offer LASIK. Thanks.

  • deal_king on 19/05/2010 - 08:46
    +1

    Having a medical background and having had Lasik two years ago, I can offer some relevant insight. I had severe myopia -7.50 in both eyes with astigmatism.

    The most important thing is to get the biggest bang for your buck. Only consider wavefront custom Lasik. "Biggest bang" in Lasik means focusing on getting the most advanced laser out there, and not necessarily on the doctor with the most experience. When it comes to custom wavefront lasik, the doctor does very little aside from determine your eligibility for surgery. Your eye mapping and laser ablation plan is almost entirely controlled by the laser's computer. It will analyze your topography and use its database to determine that plan of action with the highest statistical probability of success.

    You will want the fastest possible laser with the smallest possible spot size. The faster the laser works, the less time your eye is exposed. The smaller the laser spot size is, the more finer details it can correct. The blade that cuts the flap has also been proven to improve results- and there are some lasers like Intralase that cut flaps more cleanly than any blade can.

    When I got my laser, my doctor placed a suction blade on my eye and then pressed a button. That's it. ?Within 6 hours I was seeing 20/40. The next morning I was seeing 20/20. A month later I was seeing 20/16! That means that I can see at 20 feet what the average person can only see at 16 feet. My vision is still the same 3 years later with no followup visits.

    How much did I pay for such astounding results? $870. FOR BOTH EYES. In India with a laser that was far ahead of anything available in the US or Oz.

    Because of my background in the industry I realized that it was more important to focus on getting the best laser than the most expensive doctor. I got my surgery at the Sankara Nethralaya Hospital in Chennai and got the surgery with the Wavelight Allegretto 400mhz. The same laser would have cost $6000 in Sydney.

    I understand that you are concerned about followup appointments and free adjustments, but if you use the right laser you won't need followups or free adjustments. Free adjustments was an option that made more sense in the past with regular Lasik (not wavefront lasik)- because people tended to regress fast.

    I have taken a look at the places the other posters have mentioned, and they all seem to use the Bausch and Lomb 217C which is practically an antique in the fast-paced world of Lasik.

    I would suggest you look at the Wavelight Concerto 500mhz with Intralase which you can get for $1000 in Mumbai. If your vision is better than -3, you could get astonishing results like 20/8- more than twice the vision than the average human being.

    Don't be afraid of traveling to get the best laser for a much lower price. I booked a trip to India for three weeks. In the last week I got the surgery, booked into a 5 star resort the next day and was pampered with servants giving me back massages, foot massages, and fine cuisine. I got my 7 day checkup the day before I flew. All in all I spent less than what someone would Sydney would pay for the same thing, and got a 5 star vacation with it!

    • llama on 05/01/2011 - 22:31
      +1

      Great reply, but throughout this thread it's mentioned that Lasik is NOT an option.

      • iffer on 09/09/2011 - 17:33

        The specialist hospital mentioned discusses PRK as well as EPI LASIK treatment services (they claim has benefits of PRK in a LASIK treatment).

        • insertusernamehere on 09/09/2011 - 17:39

          the benefits of prk is that it ISN'T lasik. if it has a flap it its LASIK, no flap, PRK/LASEK. There are plenty of names around but ask a surgeon and it boils down to being one or the other.

  • pepsicles on 30/08/2010 - 16:47

    I'm in the same boat as the OP, has anyone done any LASEK or PKR surgery lately? any recommendation? In Sydney as well.

  • Mugz on 05/01/2011 - 19:24

    *bump

    Any users had laser eye surgery in Melbourne? I've browsed a few forums but general discussion seems to be about Sydney clinics. Surely there has to be one in Melbourne that can do the same job?

    Despite the massive cost saving from going to India to get this procedure done, I'm doubting the authenticity of DEAL KING's post- one post harking on and on about the benefits of an Indian clinic, and no other activity on ozbargain since? Sounds like spam to me…

  • insertusernamehere on 05/01/2011 - 22:06

    suss this out
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1258336
    might be some info on melbourne there. also, theres a post from what could be deal king somewhere in there about india etc. he's a regular user on whirlpool.

  • FirstNameLastName on 28/04/2011 - 16:40

    some funny comments on this laser surgery thread http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/43839

  • insertusernamehere on 28/04/2011 - 20:12

    just an update for everyone who cares…or doesn't. got it done over a month ago now at Sebbans eye centre in darlinghurst, sydney…and so far so good. had PRK done so its a slow recovery but that was the procedure i wanted. apparently he doesnt really do lasik anymore due to its complications post surgery. all up about 2600.

    • kerfy19 on 07/05/2013 - 19:02

      any update on your ADF application? I'm in the middle of deciding what to do and where to go to fix my eyes. They're -3.5 each atm, not good enough for aircrew.

  • sniper on 09/09/2011 - 15:13

    For those who want more information about eye surgery check this site out: Laser Eye Treatment HQ. I've been doing my research and it seems like a great solution. I just need to grow some balls to actually go and do it.

  • freemoneyhunter on 09/09/2011 - 16:42
    +1

    I have read online that alot of people suffer side effects such as night blindness, halos, floaters double vision etc after laser eye surgery.

    But interesting what one of the posters said, best to get the best laser rather than the most expensive doctor, I guess all they really have to do is press a button.

  • joannatan on 10/09/2011 - 03:09

    what is the criteria to enter airforce?

  • freemoneyhunter on 11/09/2011 - 16:21

    Has anyone heard of the bates method?

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