Hi all

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.

What sort of eye surgery.

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

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

Rosemary

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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'

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...

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.