Natalie Said:

Does anyone know around how much an eye surgery would cost?

We Answered:

I'm not exactly sure what surgery you're talking about. First off, any type of surgery for cosmetic reasons will usually not be covered by any insurance plan. With the exception of breast implants after a masectomy. Most insurances do not consider this as "cosmetic".

There are several different surgeries dealing with the cornea. Lasik is the most common of course. The price depends on where you go and what your Rx is. Usually the more complexed your vision is, the higher the price. "Chop Shops" (as I like to call them) usually advertise a starting price of $199 per eye! Don't believe everything you see! Most of these type of doctor's just want your money and their office is run like a factory line. A good, thorough opthalmalogist will normally charge about $2000+ per eye, again depending on your Rx and what needs to be corrected.

Another surgery is a corneal transplant, also known as "penetrating keratoplasty". By the amount you stated, this might be what your talking about. Corneal transplants are VERY expensive! This is similar to having any other type of organ transplant surgery. You're put on a waiting list for a donor, they remove your cornea, surgically put the "new" cornea on, and hope that your eye accepts it. It can run about $10,000+ per eye for the surgery alone. This usually does not include post surgery visits or prescription medicine needed. Some insurances will cover a portion of the cost. And there are some insurance companies who still consider this surgery as "cosmetic" and will not cover any portion of it.

I don't know if Kaiser will cover either of these surgeries, but you can call them and ask! Hope this helps!