How Much Does Glaucoma Surgery Cost?
Glaucoma surgery costs between $3,500 and $18,000 per eye in the United States in 2026, depending on the type of procedure, your geographic location, and whether you have insurance coverage. According to data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) and Fair Health consumer cost databases, the national average for glaucoma surgical procedures falls between $6,000 and $10,000 per eye when factoring in surgeon fees, facility costs, and anesthesia.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and surgery becomes necessary when medications and laser treatments fail to adequately control intraocular pressure (IOP). Because glaucoma surgery is almost always medically necessary, most insurance plans — including Medicare and Medicaid — provide coverage, significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients.
The type of procedure you need has the biggest impact on your total bill. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and laser procedures cost substantially less than traditional filtering surgeries like trabeculectomy or tube shunt implantation. Understanding these cost differences can help you make informed decisions about your treatment.
Cost by Surgery Type
| Procedure Type | Average Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) | $2,200 | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) | $1,800 | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| MIGS (iStent, Hydrus, XEN Gel Stent) | $5,500 | $3,500 – $8,500 |
| Trabeculectomy | $9,500 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Tube Shunt / Glaucoma Drainage Device | $12,000 | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) | $3,500 | $2,000 – $5,500 |
MIGS procedures are frequently combined with cataract surgery, which can reduce the incremental cost since facility and anesthesia fees are shared between the two procedures. When combined, the MIGS add-on may only increase the total bill by $1,500 to $4,000 above the cataract surgery cost alone.
Cost by State
Geographic location significantly affects glaucoma surgery pricing. Costs tend to be highest in states with high costs of living and in major metropolitan areas. Below are average costs for a standard trabeculectomy procedure across major states.
| State | Average Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| California | $12,500 | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| New York | $13,000 | $8,500 – $17,500 |
| Florida | $9,000 | $5,500 – $14,000 |
| Texas | $8,200 | $5,000 – $13,000 |
| Illinois | $10,500 | $6,500 – $15,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $10,000 | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| Ohio | $7,800 | $4,500 – $12,000 |
| Georgia | $8,500 | $5,000 – $13,500 |
| North Carolina | $8,800 | $5,200 – $13,000 |
| Arizona | $9,200 | $5,500 – $14,500 |
| Washington | $11,000 | $7,000 – $16,000 |
| Massachusetts | $12,800 | $8,000 – $17,000 |
Insurance vs. No Insurance
Since glaucoma is a medical condition that threatens vision, surgery is typically classified as medically necessary — making it eligible for insurance coverage in most cases.
| Coverage Type | Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost | What's Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Private Insurance | $500 – $3,500 | Surgeon fees, facility, anesthesia, follow-up visits (after deductible and copay) |
| Medicare Part B | $800 – $3,000 | 80% of approved amount after annual deductible; Medigap may cover remaining 20% |
| Medicaid | $0 – $200 | Full coverage in most states; minimal or no copay required |
| Without Insurance | $3,500 – $18,000 | Patient responsible for all costs; self-pay discounts of 20-40% often available |
To qualify for insurance coverage, your ophthalmologist must document that conservative treatments (eye drops, oral medications, or laser therapy) have been insufficient in controlling your intraocular pressure, or that your glaucoma is progressing despite treatment. Most insurers require prior authorization before approving surgery.
Cost Breakdown: What's Included
The total cost of glaucoma surgery includes multiple components. Understanding each line item helps you evaluate quotes and identify potential savings.
- Surgeon's fee: $2,000 – $6,000 (varies by procedure complexity and surgeon experience)
- Facility/operating room fee: $1,500 – $7,000 (hospital vs. ambulatory surgery center)
- Anesthesia fee: $500 – $1,500 (local anesthesia with sedation is most common)
- Implant/device cost: $500 – $2,500 (for MIGS devices, tube shunts, or drainage implants)
- Pre-operative testing: $200 – $600 (visual field test, OCT, gonioscopy, pachymetry)
- Post-operative medications: $100 – $400 (antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops)
- Follow-up visits: $150 – $500 per visit (typically 4-8 visits over 3-6 months)
Factors That Affect Cost
Type of Procedure
This is the single biggest cost driver. Laser procedures like SLT cost as little as $1,500, while complex tube shunt surgeries can exceed $18,000. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate procedure based on your glaucoma type and severity.
Geographic Location
Surgery in major metropolitan areas like New York City, San Francisco, or Boston can cost 40-60% more than the same procedure in smaller cities or rural areas. Regional cost-of-living differences directly impact facility fees and surgeon rates.
Facility Type
Hospital-based operating rooms charge significantly more than ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Choosing an ASC can reduce facility fees by 30-50% without compromising quality, as most glaucoma surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis.
Surgeon Experience and Specialization
Fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists typically charge higher fees than general ophthalmologists. However, their expertise often leads to better outcomes and fewer revision surgeries, which can save money in the long run.
Glaucoma Severity and Complexity
Advanced or refractory glaucoma that has failed previous treatments may require more complex procedures like tube shunt implantation or combined surgeries, significantly increasing costs. Revision surgeries also add to the total expense.
Insurance Plan and Deductible Status
Your specific insurance plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance structure dramatically affects your out-of-pocket costs. If you've already met your annual deductible, your share of the surgery cost could be minimal.
How to Save Money on Glaucoma Surgery
- Get multiple quotes: Request itemized estimates from at least 3 ophthalmology practices. Prices for the same procedure can vary by $3,000-$5,000 or more within the same city.
- Choose an ambulatory surgery center: ASCs typically charge 30-50% less than hospital outpatient departments for the same procedure with equivalent safety standards.
- Time your surgery strategically: If you've already met your insurance deductible for the year, schedule surgery before December 31 to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
- Ask about self-pay discounts: Many practices offer 20-40% discounts for patients paying cash upfront. Always ask — these discounts are common but not always advertised.
- Use HSA/FSA funds: Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to pay for glaucoma surgery with pre-tax dollars, effectively saving 20-35% depending on your tax bracket.
- Explore clinical trials: Academic medical centers sometimes offer access to newer MIGS devices or techniques through clinical trials at reduced or no cost. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for options.
- Negotiate the bill: If you're uninsured, ask the billing department about financial hardship programs or negotiate a lower rate. Many hospitals have charity care programs for qualifying patients.
Financing Options
| Option | Details | Typical Terms |
|---|---|---|
| CareCredit | Medical credit card accepted at most ophthalmology practices | 0% APR for 6-24 months; 26.99% variable APR after promo period |
| Alphaeon Credit | Healthcare financing with flexible payment plans | 0% APR for 6-12 months; extended plans up to 60 months |
| In-House Payment Plans | Many surgical practices offer interest-free installment plans | 3-12 monthly payments; no credit check at some offices |
| HSA / FSA | Pre-tax healthcare savings accounts | Tax savings of 20-35%; FSA funds must be used within plan year |
| Personal Loan | Unsecured loans from banks or online lenders | APR 6-36%; terms of 12-60 months based on credit score |
| Hospital Financial Assistance | Charity care or sliding-scale programs for low-income patients | Partial to full coverage based on income; application required |
Pro Tips from Eye Care Experts
Combine MIGS with cataract surgery when possible. If you need both procedures, having them done simultaneously can save $2,000-$5,000 in combined facility and anesthesia fees while requiring only one recovery period. Ask your surgeon if you're a candidate for a combined approach.
Don't skip follow-up appointments to save money. Post-operative monitoring is critical for glaucoma surgery success. Missed follow-ups can lead to complications like hypotony or scarring that may require costly revision surgery. Budget for 4-8 follow-up visits in your total cost estimate.
Verify your surgeon's glaucoma fellowship training. A fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist has completed 1-2 additional years of focused training beyond residency. While their fees may be slightly higher, studies show that surgical outcomes and complication rates are significantly better with subspecialty-trained surgeons.
Request a pre-authorization before scheduling surgery. Contact your insurance company to confirm coverage, obtain pre-authorization, and get a written estimate of your out-of-pocket responsibility. This prevents surprise bills and gives you time to plan financially. Ask specifically about the CPT codes your surgeon plans to use.