Can you get laser eye surgery on the NHS?

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you might be wondering: can the NHS cover the cost of laser eye surgery?

It’s a common question. After all, laser eye surgery can be life-changing—but it’s also a private treatment, and not everyone wants or can afford to pay out of pocket.

In this blog, we’ll explain:

• Whether laser eye surgery is available on the NHS
• What the NHS typically covers
• Why most people choose to go private
• What your options are if you want the best vision correction possible.

Is laser eye surgery available on the NHS?

In almost all cases, laser eye surgery is not available on the NHS.

That’s because the NHS typically only covers treatment that is medically necessary. Laser eye surgery is considered an elective procedure—meaning it improves your quality of life but isn’t essential for your health.

If your vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, the NHS does not usually fund surgery.

Are there any exceptions?

In very rare cases, the NHS may offer laser treatment if:

• You have a condition that can only be treated with surgery
• You can’t wear glasses or contacts due to a physical or medical reason
• There’s a severe impact on your quality of life due to your condition.

These are specialist cases, and you would need to be referred by a consultant and go through NHS approval. Even then, laser eye surgery is not guaranteed.

So why do most people choose private laser eye surgery?

Because private laser eye surgery gives you:

• Freedom from glasses and contacts
• Fast access to treatment with no waiting lists
• Advanced options like LASIK, LASEK, or TransPRK tailored to your eyes
• Flexible payment plans to make it affordable.

Most people find it a worthwhile investment in their daily comfort, confidence, and lifestyle.

Is private laser eye surgery safe?

Yes—when done in the right hands. At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we:

• Carefully assess every patient for suitability
• Use the latest diagnostic tools
• Offer a choice of proven procedures (LASIK, LASEK, TransPRK)
• Provide full aftercare and follow-up.

We only recommend surgery if we believe it’s safe, suitable, and likely to give you great results.

How much does it cost privately?

Prices vary depending on your prescription and the procedure, but treatment starts from around £27 per eye per month with a payment plan.

When you consider the ongoing cost of glasses, contact lenses, solutions and replacements, many patients find it more cost-effective over time.

How do I know if I’m suitable?

It starts with a quick, free online self-test. We’ll ask you a few simple questions and tell you right away if it’s worth coming in for a full assessment.