How much does laser eye surgery cost?

Nov 01, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Shuai

Introduction

There are generally four types of laser eye surgery, with the following reference prices: panretinal photocoagulation, 1,000–3,000 yuan per session; focal/grid photocoagulation, 800–2,000 yuan per session; macular grid photocoagulation, 5,000–10,000 yuan per session; and micropulse laser photocoagulation, 2,000–5,000 yuan per session.

In general, fundus laser surgery can be divided into four types, with corresponding prices as follows: panretinal photocoagulation, reference price 1,000–3,000 RMB per session; focal or sectoral retinal photocoagulation, reference price 800–2,000 RMB per session; macular grid photocoagulation, reference price 5,000–10,000 RMB per session; and micropulse laser photocoagulation, reference price 2,000–5,000 RMB per session. Factors influencing the cost of fundus laser surgery include hospital and region, severity of the condition, surgical equipment, and technique.

Different types of fundus laser surgery and their reference prices:

Procedure Name	Panretinal Photocoagulation	Focal/Sectoral Retinal Photocoagulation	Macular Grid Photocoagulation	Micropulse Laser Photocoagulation
Reference Price	1,000–3,000 RMB/session	800–2,000 RMB/session	5,000–10,000 RMB/session	2,000–5,000 RMB/session
Principle	Laser coagulates retinal tissue to improve inner-layer metabolism	Laser heats the base of the retina to treat localized lesions	Laser coagulates the macular area to repair damage and restore vision	Subthreshold micropulse laser activates cellular self-repair mechanisms
Suitable Candidates	Patients with widespread diabetic retinopathy, retinal periphlebitis, and other retinal vascular diseases	Patients with branch retinal vein periphlebitis or vein occlusion accompanied by retinal neovascularization	Patients with macular degeneration, macular edema, central serous retinopathy, etc.	Patients with various types of macular edema, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and other complex ophthalmic conditions
Recovery Period	2–4 weeks	2–4 weeks	2–4 weeks	2–5 weeks
Duration of Effect	20–25 years	15–20 years	20–25 years	20–25 years
Advantages	1. High safety 2. Effective results	1. Minimal invasiveness 2. Highly targeted treatment	1. Noticeable effectiveness 2. Improved visual quality	1. High precision 2. Promotes retinal repair
Potential Risks	1. Eye infection 2. Sore throat (likely a translation error; possibly meant "ocular inflammation")	1. Retinal damage 2. Risk of infection	1. Vision decline 2. Macular area damage	1. Retinal damage 2. Vision decline

Factors affecting the cost:

1. Hospital and Region
Hospital pricing may vary depending on the institution’s level, reputation, facilities, and quality of service. Additionally, medical costs differ across regions—typically, more economically developed areas have higher healthcare expenses.

2. Severity of Condition
The severity of the patient’s condition affects the surgical cost. More severe cases often require more complex procedures and greater use of medical resources and technical support, leading to higher costs.

3. Surgical Equipment and Technique
Using advanced equipment and techniques for fundus laser surgery may increase the cost. These technologies generally offer higher precision and safety, resulting in better treatment outcomes.

It is recommended to choose a正规 and professional medical institution for the procedure to ensure both safety and effectiveness.