In the United Kingdom we have one of the most regulated medical industries in the world. Many patients fly in from overseas to have their eye surgery undertaken in a safe, accessible environment. In order to practice in the NHS or privately within the UK you must be registered with the care quality commission (CQC). This is an independent organisation which holds extremely high standards, continually monitors your establishment and has an encyclopaedia worth of requirements to allow you to run as a medical service provider. As a consumer this gives you piece of mind that whomever you choose to perform your surgery within the UK have to be answerable to the CQC. Overseas destinations can be far less regulated with less stringent requirements to not only set up but also continue to function as a medical establishment.

Investment in up to date equipment is key to maintaining high standards and that requires money. Think of how your iPhone performed and looked 10 years ago - the same applies to the equipment we use in laser vision correction. The cost has to be passed onto the consumer, but you can rest assured that you have the most up to date equipment performing your surgery which will give you outstanding results in a safe, reliable manner. Overseas clinics may well use less up to date (and cheaper) technology which will impact on their outcomes and safety profile.

All machinery (especially lasers!) require highly skilled engineers to maintain and upkeep the equipment. This keeps them accurate and precise and of course costs money. We also need to be using manufacturer approved, single use items that keeps you infection free and maintains a high standard of care. In the UK this is strictly adhered to and there is no cutting corners as everything is logged and audited. This may not be as tightly adhered too elsewhere as it is expensive and could potentially lower the cost should you choose not to be so stringent.

A key element on how good a recovery you make (and ultimately how good you see) depends on the aftercare. For instance in laser eye surgery we would want to see you no fewer than 6 times in the first year to make sure the healing process is going well. This requires the same team and continuity of care. As you can imagine this would not be possible if you were to have your surgery undertaken overseas (unless you fly there for every outpatient appointment!). Furthermore if there was a complication (all forms of surgery carry a risk profile) you are likely to need more intense follow ups. Finding a local provider to take on board complications can be tricky as well as expensive as they often require a lot more work, investigations and monitoring.

If you are having your treatment undertaken locally you have a period of time to think over and decide if the treatment is right for you. If traveling overseas you may feel compelled to commit simply because of the time, energy and money you have invested thus far to the cause. It is very important to think over important decisions such as whether or not you are keen on the surgery in a non pressurised environment as this is when impulse decisions are often made!

In the UK clinics have a fair and transparent complaints process and should you not be satisfied with internal procedures then there are external organisations you can engage with in order to hear you grievances. With many overseas destinations this is simply not the case and complaints can be very difficult to pursue or get a response from.

I hope you have found this article informative and helpful! I have kept it as broad as possible so you can apply it to your own individual circumstances. Of course cost is a significant factor in determining where you go for your surgery but I hope this article has allowed you to consider the broader picture when enticed by overseas clinics.