Pterygium Removal Surgery Cost in Germany

The cost of pterygium removal surgery in Germany typically ranges from $7,000 to $25,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Pterygium removal takes off a wedge-shaped growth of tissue on the white of the eye that can spread onto the cornea, and covers the area with a graft to reduce the chance of it returning. In Germany, the total depends on:

• Graft: conjunctival autograft with stitches or glue.
• Mitomycin C: for large or recurrent growths.
• Anaesthesia: local, as a day case.
• One eye at a time: priced per eye.

Pterygium surgery is usually a short day-case procedure. A quote near the range above is unusual, so ask what it includes.

Moorfields Eye Hospital explains that pterygium surgery is done only if the growth causes symptoms or for cosmetic concern. The pterygium is removed and the area covered with a graft of the patient's own conjunctiva, held with stitches or glue.

Mitomycin C may be used for large or recurrent growths.

The surgery is a day case under local anaesthetic. The eye stays red for up to about 4 weeks, and about a week off work is common.

The growth returns in about 10% of cases.

Outpatient services for self-paying patients in Germany are billed under the physicians' fee schedule (GOÄ), which allows a doctor to charge from the single rate up to 3.5 times the listed fee.

Patients insured in another EU country need an S2 form from their own insurer for planned treatment in Germany, as the EHIC is intended for unplanned care.