Private laser eye surgery for Bournemouth patients typically costs £1,295–£2,500 per eye for LASIK, £2,200–£3,800 per eye for SMILE, and £800–£2,000 per eye for surface treatments such as LASEK, PRK and TransPRK in 2026. Treating both eyes on the same day — which most people do — usually comes to £2,600–£7,000 depending on procedure and provider. Our partner network charges fixed, all-inclusive prices from £2,400 per eye for LASIK or LASEK/PRK and £2,800 per eye for SMILE, which gives you a useful benchmark when you compare local quotes.
What laser eye surgery costs in Bournemouth
Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch make up one of the larger population centres on the south coast, and patients here have a good choice of private eye surgery — national chains alongside independent, consultant-led clinics within easy reach across the BH postcodes and the wider Dorset and Hampshire border. Advertised "from" prices can start very low, but the figure most patients actually pay sits higher once prescription complexity, wavefront or topography-guided upgrades and aftercare are added in. The ranges below reflect typical 2026 pricing across the UK market, which the Bournemouth area generally mirrors.
| Procedure | Typical UK range (per eye) | Both eyes, typical |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | £1,295–£2,500 | £2,600–£5,000 |
| SMILE / SMILE Pro | £2,200–£3,800 | £4,400–£7,000 |
| LASEK / PRK / TransPRK | £800–£2,000 | £1,600–£4,000 |
Watch for headline prices that leave out the consultation, enhancement (re-treatment) cover or long-term aftercare — the cheapest advertised price is rarely the cheapest final bill. Our guide to laser eye surgery consultations explains what a thorough suitability assessment should include.
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Get your free quotes →Procedure options and prices
The right procedure depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and lifestyle — not the price list. All three main options correct short-sight, long-sight and astigmatism within their treatment ranges.
Compare the procedures in detail on our laser eye surgery overview, or see the dedicated national price guides for LASIK, SMILE and PRK. If you're over 45 or your prescription is outside laser range, a lens-based option such as refractive lens exchange or an implantable collamer lens (ICL) may suit you better.
What happens on the day
Whichever procedure you choose, laser eye surgery is a day-case treatment under anaesthetic drops — both eyes are usually treated in the same visit, with the laser itself active for under a minute per eye.
- Final checks confirm your prescription and scans match the treatment plan.
- Anaesthetic drops numb the eyes; a soft clip keeps the eyelids comfortably open.
- The surgeon prepares the cornea — a flap for LASIK, a small keyhole incision for SMILE, or surface preparation for LASEK/PRK.
- The excimer or femtosecond laser reshapes the cornea to your exact prescription in seconds.
- You rest briefly, have a final check and go home the same day — with drops and clear aftercare instructions.
Recovery timeline
Recovery speed is the main practical difference between the procedures.
Day of surgery
Mild stinging or grittiness for a few hours. Rest with eyes closed where possible. No driving.
Day 1–2
LASIK and SMILE patients typically see well enough to drive and work. Surface treatments (LASEK/PRK) stay blurry while the surface heals.
Week 1
First review. LASEK/PRK vision clears progressively. Avoid swimming, dusty environments and eye make-up.
Weeks 2–6
Vision stabilises; any dry-eye symptoms settle with lubricating drops. Final outcome assessed at review.
Comparing Bournemouth quotes
When you collect quotes from clinics in and around Bournemouth, make sure each one covers the same things — the cheapest headline price often isn't the cheapest treatment:
- Consultation & scans: some clinics charge separately for the assessment; ours is included in the fixed price.
- Technology upgrades: wavefront or topography-guided treatment is often a paid extra locally — check whether it's included.
- Enhancement cover: around 1 in 20 patients benefit from a fine-tuning re-treatment; know whether it's included and for how long.
- Aftercare: confirm how many follow-up visits are covered, and for how many months.
- Finance: 0% options over 12–24 months are widely available — roughly £200/month on a £4,800 both-eyes total. See our finance options.
There isn't a dedicated clinic in the middle of Bournemouth, but our nearest partner location sits a short drive east at Highcliffe, near Christchurch, so your assessment, treatment and aftercare can be arranged close to home with a fixed all-inclusive price and a named consultant throughout — see our Highcliffe clinic. Getting matched for a free quote is the easiest way to compare like-for-like before you decide, and our guide to private ophthalmologist consultation costs explains what a specialist appointment involves.