After living in Spain for a few years, I’ve found wearing glasses to be quite inconvenient, especially when going to the beach or playing sports in the summer. I recently decided to look into [eye correction surgery in Spain]. I visited several clinics and have compiled the information I gathered to serve as a reference for others on the forum with the same idea.
Surgery Types and Price Ranges
First, it’s important to understand that there isn’t just one type of myopia surgery. The mainstream options in Spain currently fall into two main categories: laser surgery and ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery. I primarily inquired at several well-known private eye clinics in Madrid, such as Clínica Baviera and Clínica Oftalmológica de Madrid. While public hospitals can theoretically perform these surgeries, they generally only cater to cases with serious pathological conditions. For those of us who simply want to get rid of glasses, you’ll almost certainly have to go private, so for routine [eye exams in Spain], we should mainly consider private options.
In terms of cost, there’s a significant variation depending on your eye condition and the surgical method you choose. I’ve compiled the approximate costs I was quoted into a table for a clearer overview:
| Surgery Type | Price Range (Single Eye) | Price Range (Both Eyes) | Suitable For |
|---|
| LASIK/Femto-LASIK | €800 - €1,200 | €1,600 - €2,400 | Mainstream choice for low to moderate myopia with sufficient corneal thickness |
| PRK/LASEK | €700 - €1,000 | €1,400 - €2,000 | For those with thin corneas, unsuitable for LASIK |
| ICL (Implantable Lens) | €2,800 - €3,500 | €5,600 - €7,000 | For high myopia or corneal conditions unsuitable for laser surgery |
What’s Included in the Fee?
This is crucial! When asking about the price, always be sure to ask “El precio incluye…” (What does the price include?). Generally, the price quoted by private clinics is an “all-inclusive package” that covers:
- Comprehensive pre-operative examination
- The surgery itself
- Post-operative check-ups, typically several within the first year
- Possibly the first set of post-op eye drops when [seeing an eye doctor in Spain]
However, some clinics charge for the initial consultation, around €50-€100, which may be deducted from the total cost if you decide to proceed with the surgery there. Other clinics attract customers by advertising a “free initial consultation.” It’s best to compare a few options. After all, these are your eyes, so the decision shouldn’t be based on price alone.
Finally, a bit about my own situation. My prescription is quite high, and my corneas are a bit thin, so the doctor recommended ICL. The cost is significantly higher than laser, and I’m still hesitating… My wallet is crying. I hope this post helps everyone. I also welcome friends who have had the surgery to share their experiences and feelings. For example, which clinic did you go to? How was it? Was the recovery period difficult? Let’s discuss it together!
