Prices: Price on request, get quotes from clinics. We haven’t found a verifiable, dated public price source, so we don’t quote a figure.
Short answer: Laser eye surgery can cause dry eye, light sensitivity and infection; vision may take up to six months to stabilise, and a second procedure is sometimes needed (healthdirect (opens official site)). Budget for pre-operative assessment, both eyes if treated, post-operative drops and reviews, and follow-up at home - not only the clinic quote. Smartraveller warns that fixing a procedure that goes wrong can cost more (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Risks and limitations to understand first
Common concerns in the first weeks after laser eye surgery include dry eye, light sensitivity and infection; vision may take up to six months to stabilise (healthdirect (opens official site)).
LASIK-specific complications listed by healthdirect include (healthdirect (opens official site)):
- infection, which may cause blurred vision or even permanent loss of vision
- under-correction or over-correction as the eye heals
- reduction in best-corrected visual acuity
- dry eyes that can continue for more than a year
- light sensitivity, blurred vision, headaches and night vision problems
- thinning and weakness of the cornea
- rarely, retinal detachment or posterior vitreous detachment related to the suction device
- double vision (usually temporary; can be permanent)
A second surgery is sometimes needed (healthdirect (opens official site)).
- Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas, and basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism (Smartraveller (opens official site))
- If you cannot attend early post-operative checks, that is a reason not to proceed overseas
See LASIK in Thailand for a destination-specific risks guide.
What affects the quote
- Whether one or both eyes are treated
- Pre-operative scans and suitability assessment
- Laser platform and who performs each step
- Post-operative reviews included overseas, and enhancement or revision policy
- Local pharmacy costs for drops (get totals in writing; we don’t list medicine names)
Ask for a written, itemised quote in English.
Medicare and insurance
- Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas (Smartraveller (opens official site)). Cover for laser eye surgery in Australia depends on your situation - ask Services Australia or your fund; don’t assume overseas cover.
- Basic travel insurance rarely covers medical tourism (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
See health insurance gaps, travel insurance for surgery, medical tourism insurance and Medicare overseas.
Add these to any quote
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Flights | Return travel timed around early reviews. Price on request, get quotes from clinics |
| Accommodation | Stay long enough for the first post-operative checks. Price on request, get quotes from clinics |
| Follow-up in Australia | Aftercare in Australia |
| A buffer for enhancement or problems | Revision surgery in Australia and complications overseas |
| Cabin dryness / eye care for the flight | Ask your surgeon; see flying after surgery |
By destination: LASIK costs in Thailand Price on request, get quotes from clinics. Use the trip budget planner.
Paying for treatment
If you’re considering finance, our sister site surgeryloans.com.au has general information about financing medical and dental treatment. Disclosure: surgeryloans.com.au shares ownership with medicaltourism.com.au. See how we make money. Moneysmart has independent guidance on borrowing (Moneysmart (opens official site)).
Full trip cost beyond the procedure fee
Even when a hospital or clinic tariff is later verified, Australians should add:
- Flights (return; sometimes a second trip for staged work or bridge delivery)
- Hotel for the fly-safe window your clinician documents in writing
- Companion costs, time off work, garments, medications and follow-up visits
- Buffer for delayed healing, extra nights or a revision trip (Smartraveller (opens official site))
- Travel insurance that may still exclude elective or planned-procedure complications - read the PDS (travel insurance for surgery)
Use the trip budget planner and trip cost calculator for non-procedure travel maths only.
How to compare quotes without “best price” claims
- Same procedure labels and the same inclusions on every quote
- Named clinician and facility on the consent pathway
- Revision or remake policy in writing
- Total trip maths, not procedure-only marketing figures
- Soften “cheapest country” or “best country” searches - compare credentials, aftercare and risk, not inducements
We only publish AUD figures that sit in our verified price table with a source and access date. If status is pending, this page shows Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
Methodology note
We only publish AUD figures present in our verified price table with source URL and access date. Empty or pending rows show Price on request, get quotes from clinics. FX converts, when used elsewhere on this site, cite RBA indicative rates and must be rechecked on publish day. This page does not invent package discounts, holiday inducements or “cheapest country” crowns.
Related tools (non-procedure trip maths only): trip cost calculator · currency converter · savings calculator (educational; not a quote).
Guides: choosing a surgeon · questions to ask · complications overseas · aftercare in Australia · flying after surgery.
Frequently asked questions
How much does LASIK cost overseas?
We only publish verified, dated prices. Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
Does Medicare cover LASIK overseas?
No. Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas.
How long until vision settles?
healthdirect notes it might take up to six months for vision to stabilise after laser eye surgery.
Why budget beyond the clinic quote?
Dry eye care, reviews, possible enhancement and problems at home can add cost.
Should I see an Australian eye specialist first?
Yes. Get an independent suitability assessment and a follow-up plan before you travel.
What should be in a written quote?
Itemised clinician and facility fees, anaesthetic, stay length, inclusions and exclusions, revision or remake policy, and what happens if you need a longer stay.
Why does the full trip cost matter more than the procedure fee?
Flights, hotel for the fly-safe window, companion costs, time off work, insurance and a revision buffer often exceed a low procedure-only figure (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Does this site pick a best or cheapest country?
No. We soften those anchors. Compare named credentials, facility checks, aftercare at home and total trip maths.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026.
- healthdirect, Laser eye surgery: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/laser-eye-surgery
- healthdirect, LASIK surgery: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/procedures/surgery/lasik-surgery
- Smartraveller, Going overseas for a medical procedure: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel-essentials/travel-health/medical-tourism
- Smartraveller, Medical tourism: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/medical-tourism
- Moneysmart, Personal loans: https://moneysmart.gov.au/loans/personal-loans
Disclaimer: The information on medicaltourism.com.au is general in nature. It isn’t medical, legal, financial or insurance advice and doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. Talk to a registered health practitioner before deciding on any procedure. See our editorial policy, medical disclaimer and how we make money.