Eye Surgery
 

Hi all :thumbsup:

My wife is looking to get this done in the UK, we are going for the appointment this morning.

My question is, has anyone got experience or knowledge of this procedure in Spain?

I know the standard of medical treatment is equal to if not better than the UK so that is of no concern I was wondering what the cost would be in Spain compared to within rip off Britain.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

What sort of eye surgery.

There is quite a difference between a cornea transplant and laser correction.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Laser correction in Valencia is 1000 euros per eye. My friend had it done last week so that is a current price.

Rosemary

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Are you a UK or Spanist resident, if Spanish then she will not qualify for free NHS treatment.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

As the OP is asking about cost, I suspect this is laser or similar rather than a general health procedure.

If we are talking private care then any perceived differences between the two national health services are not relevant.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Correct Jim, laser eye correction is what she wants, irrelevant now as she has paid a deposit on the full price of nearly £4k for it when I suspect it would be half that in Spain if what Rosemary has said is correct which I have no reason to doubt :(

We are not living there yet but I suspected It would be a lot cheaper than here.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

A friend in Granada had her laser prcedure for €3k.
4k sterling sounds like a lot!
There are better procedures for less or similar amounts!

Re: Eye Surgery
 

You cannot generalise on price as no two laser treatments are the same. You get what you pay for in the end, If you don't value your sight look for the cheapest.

Just because its cheaper in Spain may be because of the lower standard of living and not that the UK is expensive, also the UK is renowned for its eye surgery.

Then again if it was perceived as vital for eyesight rather than cosmetic reasons ie you don't want to wear glassses, then the UK treatment on the NHS would be free not chargeable. So as you are paying I'll hazard a guess its for cosmetic reasons.

Not knocking the OP rather defending the NHS. Far too many people knock it when for the money it gives a worlds best service- you don't believe me? Why then do so many flock to the UK for 'free' health care rather than get it in their own country?

Spain has free health care along the lines of the UK, just try getting it rather than a private hospital over here! Our experience is the nursing care is non existent, yes they give medication, change dressing etc, but everything else you are left to your own devices. Can't get out of bed for the toilet? tough luck, can't feed yourself? tough luck.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

I beg to differ as almost every clinic use what´s sometimes referred to as the "flap and zap" method or Lasik. There are very few, if any that will laser through the epithelium of a cornea as they used to do, though if you find one, I´m sure they´ll do it on the cheap.
Having seen the damage which can be caused by laser, I would never opt for it, regardless of method and regardless of which Ophthalmologist was doing it.
Prices simply vary hugely though granted, some clinics might offer better aftercare.
Back in the UK I knew a company that offered "laser" (method not important) for approx 300 gbp per eye. That was the hook!
On consultation, should you present with 0.25D of astigmatism, you would be left with a quote of approx 3k.
FYI, 0.25D of astigmatism will make zero difference to the procedure and it´s something the vast majority of us have!

As for your NHS comments, I don´t think anyone is talking about that?

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Who has knocked the NHS? Not sure where that came from!

She has made her mind up now too late it going to be done here, she says because of the aftercare not the procedure itself as we are in the UK.

My wife has worked within the NHS for nearly 30 years, 18 years employed by them a further 7 years in a private company working on the software on the IT systems she is now a consultant working for them so she knows what she is talking about!

Its on its way to privatization, fact!! The medical center that I attend is privately owned, my neighbours go there and like most people don't know.

She has always said that Spain has very good medical care much better than the UK.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Just out of curiosity, for those that have had laser eye surgery done or know of others that have had it done, what's the general opinion of it.....this is something I've thought about for a while so I don't need to wear my glasses.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

In the case of my friend she says that her sight is now wonderful, she is thrilled with her vision. The reason that she had it done was because one of her brothers had it done a couple of years ago and has had no problems at all. This year her other brother went to see whether it was relevant for him to have done and she went with him to hear what was being said, her brother only needed one eye lasered as his vision was not that impaired. However, her vision was much worse and both eyes needed to be operated on. As I said here in Valencia this cost 1000 euros per eye. This was all done as out patients, they were sent home with eye drops and told not to swim for one week.

Hope this has helped, if you have more specific questions I will ask her for you.

Rosemary

Re: Eye Surgery
 

You live in the UK for the moment I think so I'm curious as to what criteria your wife used to come to such a conclusion?

Has she had extensive experience of Spain's system as she evidently does have for the NHS to be able to compare If not I guess its just another throw away comment like 'rip off Britain'

Re: Eye Surgery
 

The problem I see with it (see what I did there?) is changing prescription. Eyes change with age - typically you become long sighted and once you've had this done I believe you can't have it done again.

Anyone know if that's a genuine concern? It would seem a shame to have it done and a few years later have to wear reading glasses...

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Rosemary do you have the contact details of the company that you friend used?

Does anyone know if there is there are any that I could look at around Nerja when I go in October, I would imagine Malaga has a few.

Nice to visit one that has been recommended.

If its E1k an eye, sorry not got a euro key on PC, thats about £1650 less than half what my Mrs is paying.

I cant believe the treatment is any different than in rip off Britain.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Yes, I spotted that one. Different topic maybe but you can use that phrase about anywhere. There's plenty of stuff that's stupidly more expensive in Spain.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

I will double check with her over the weekend but as far as I know she did not use a company but someone in private practice so they would not have links in other areas but I will ask her.

Rosemary

Re: Eye Surgery
 

I can not comment on my wife's opinion but I have faith in her vast knowledge and experience to accept what she says as being factual!

I wont comment on my opinion "rip off Britain" because it my opinion!! And also the opinion of a lot people that live here.

If you do not agree then that is your perogative.

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I would be interested to know some examples if possible?

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I wasn't aware of this, I'm long sighted already.

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Both my sister and brother in law chose not to have it done as they were told after consultation it would improve long sight but this would have a detrimental effect on their short sight or the other way around.

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FWIW it's prerogative and I agree as the saying goes its just an opinion and like mouths, everyone has one :-)

You can't comment on your wife's opinion but feel free to share it as if it was a fact and in reality its just an opinion based on no actual experience of the Spanish Health system. OK I'm good with that

Here's the thing I have extensive experience of the Spanish health system (both Public and Private)but I can't compare it to the NHS because I've not lived in the UK for over 35 years. See the difference?

OH and if you think the UK is a rip off just wait till your'e living here ;-)

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You can say that again, Spain is a far cry from the cheap holiday resort it used to be.

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Clinica Rincon in Nerja or Clinica Marcos in Torre del Mar.

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Second hand cars, white goods, self-employed stamp, internet, mobile phones, estate agents' fees...

In addition there's not a lot that's cheaper - food is about the same, petrol/diesel not much different but rent is cheaper and of course alcohol and tobacco, vets' fees..

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Yes Jim, your concerns are founded as well as many others.
Back in the UK I had to attend CET lectures in order to remain registered, so please bear in mind developments/opinions are changing all the time.
Also bear in mind that Laser is a multi million pound industry whereby many of the papers released are written by those skimming an awful lot of cream from it.
Before I go on, it´s important to say that many post operative patients will tell you it´s the best money they´ve ever spent. The results can be life changing for many, hailing it as a truley remarkable development.
However, I believe patients should be better informed of the very real risks before opting to have it done!
"The life span" of good vision, as written by a Prof of Ophthalmology is no more than 5 yrs as the cornea "wants" to grow back to it´s "programmed" shape. (Myopic patients have their corneas flattened)
These days, layers 1+2 of the cornea are lifted "flap" and layer 3 lasered "zapped" and the flap "stuck" back down on to layer 3.
Prof Ophthalmology wrote "only the edges of the flap heal leaving the mid section vulnerable and delicate structure.
This was demonstarted to me by a lady that had laser. She was delighted! A few weeks after the procedure when trying on garments in a clothing store, on removing said clothing over her head, the cardboad tag caught her cornea (the edge of the newly healed flap) thus tearing it from the cornea.
The Opthalmologist (a patient of mine) was telling me how he is trying to repair her cornea but felt she will ultimately need a corneal transplant.
Laser is/was also considered to have over 90% success rate. This success rate is/was measured on the legal driving standard. Most people that can "just" meet the driving standard would probably book for an eye examination as the driving standard is actually quite poor!
In fact, once a cataracts has developed enough to require surgery, the eye can usually still achieve driving standard.
I am yet to read figures of the %age of those achieving 20/20, 6/6 or 1.0 vision??
On top of all of this, there are issues regarding dry eye and it´s secondary effects (more common in computer users) the loss of contrast sensitivity, "flare" with can be particularly relevant when night driving, and ultimately infection.
I have met those people from the groups as mentioned above who regret deeply ever having thought it was a good idea.
Finally, the eye is ever changing so you will need glasses again at some point. That is the one sure gaurantee!
Hence, I just wouldn´t!

Re: Eye Surgery
 

I must admit that I would not have it done but that is more about the fact that I would not have any operation done unless it was medically necessary rather than anything else.

Rosemary

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Probably the most informative post we've seen for a long time.

Are people informed about these downsides before committing?

I waited until I was 50 in the hope that my eyesight would have settled down by then ( I was wearing contact lenses for myopia and glasses at the same time for reading) but each couple of years I seem to need a new prescription.

People will always make the best of a situation that has cost them money and effort - they will always make the choice right.

I would be interested in what people's true satisfaction levels after ten years might be.

And I certainly have the same reticence as Rosemary about non-essential surgery.:unsure:

Re: Eye Surgery
 

750 E per eye in the Quiron clinic in Valencia. I had it done there two year ago and they've still got the same promo going.

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Unfortunately Jim, your prescription will probably continue changing up until your 80´s! By which time, your cataracts will be taken out and things will finally stabalise.
The problem is with the lens inside your eye not having a blood supply. (Otherwise everything we look at would be pink!)
The lens is very soft as a child but as cells die, and as there is no blood supply to carry them away, they remain inside the lens capsule.
Eventually, at the age of about 45yrs, the lens starts hardening, so loses focus ability...hence reading glasses.
This process continues until all the dead cells cause it to go misty...hence cataracts.
These days, the replacement implanted lenses can change focus (at a cost) and will remove the need of any distance or reading glasses. Also, as they are artificial there won´t be any dead cell accumulation.
If I was to consider corrective surgery, I wouldn´t wait until I was 80! This is the method I would opt for!

Re: Eye Surgery
 

I have decided against surgery I think - I am happy enough with gas permeable lenses which give me good full range vision thanks to different prescriptions for each eye - one for distance and one for close up. I've worn them for 40 years so I am used to the hassle every morning and night. Bit annoying in dry and dusty conditions or if you get anything else into your eye with the lens - but I can put up with that.

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Ive seen tv, 10MB internet and free calls for less than E25 I pay double that in England and I have a basic tv package no sport or films.

Iphone5 about £550 in UK seen one E510 in Spain so a lot cheaper, as are the packages on offer.

Fuel price is about the same in E's as £'s so cheaper.

Not checking anything else, checked 2 things and found them to be cheaper in Spain.

Sorry dont have euro key on my pc.

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We pay £8 for internet and everything in the UK including BT sports - you are right - you are getting ripped off there.

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You must be on some special package or I have misunderstood you because without the sport the basic BT freeview tv package with internet is £30.99, line rental alone without anything is £15.99 so how you get anything for £8 seems a bit odd?

My sister worked for BT for 30 years and had everything free from them when she worked there, soon as she took early retirement and found out the BT charges she went with sky.

BT TV Packages – Get Great TV and Broadband Packages – BT TV

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Have a look at these deals..

Best Broadband Deals & Offers From £2.50 - Compare Best Broadband Deals - uSwitch.com

Broadband in Spain is not comparable - and remember that in many places in Spain there is no competition for landline broadband services. And have a look at mobile broadband costs - frightening.:eek:

You might be able to pick out the odd local deal and likewise with mobile telephony if you are lucky. Believe me - I've lived 15 years in Spain and now the UK. Telephony and broadband is cheaper in the UK.

Now have a look at second hand cars, estate agent and other moving costs, self employed stamp and white goods. Also look at some taxes - starting with inheritance and gift tax.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

I appreciate your intentions Jim but what you quote is not the true price its the 6 month offer price to get you on the 18 month contract then they hope u will stay with them. The prices I quoted were the long term costs.

I only look at the things that will affect me, a lot of the things that you mention will not. Inheritance and gift tax, self employment stamp, moving costs I have priced and its not so bad, hire a van one way and drive, easy. In today's throw away society are things worth transporting 1500 miles?

Thank you for pointing these things out to me though, it's good to have as much info as possible.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Very true. I paid $6K USD for LASIK 15 years ago. I could have had LASIK for half that price...after researching for about a year and having several consultations...I finally made a decision.

After the procedure I went home and went to bed for a few hours. When I woke up I could see perfectly...but I know a few people who haven't been as lucky.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

My OH had Lasik about 15 years ago - when Boots the Chemist were doing it. ISTR that the cost for 2 eyes was around £1800 then. She did have some astigmatism and a very strong prescription but this didn't seem to inflate the cost at the time.
She swears by them. She needs to wear sunglasses when it's sunny more than before and experiences some flare when driving at night but apart from that she has been trouble free. She is now beginning to need glasses for close work and computer work but this was explained and is entirely expected

Re: Eye Surgery
 

That's fine. As long as you can avoid the expensive bits then the fact that Spain is in some respects as 'rip off' as Britain is irrelevant to you.

Incidentally my internet costs will rise to £16 a month at some point unless I choose to change to another starter deal. In Jimena, many are paying 70 Euros.

Re: Eye Surgery
 

Can we get back on topic please - it's about eye surgery, not broadband prices in the UK.

Thanks.