Strabismus Surgery Cost: 2026 Price Guide

Strabismus surgery cost is one of the first questions people ask when they realize surgery might be their best option. And honestly? The numbers can feel overwhelming at first glance.

If you've been researching adult strabismus treatment, you've probably seen wildly different figures online — anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000. That's a huge range, and it doesn't help you plan.

So let me give you real numbers. In this guide, I'll break down exactly what strabismus surgery costs in 2026 — by state, by insurance status, and including all the hidden fees nobody warns you about.

What Does Strabismus Surgery Cost in 2026?

Let's start with the bottom line:

• Without insurance: $5,000 – $10,000 per eye
• With insurance: $500 – $2,000 out-of-pocket

The national average according to RealSelf is around $6,700, with a typical range of $4,000 to $9,000.

But these numbers depend heavily on three factors:

• Where you live — Costs vary dramatically by state
• Where you get surgery — Hospitals cost 30-40% more than surgery centers
• Complexity of your case — Simple corrections cost less than complex or repeat surgeries

Cost by Procedure Complexity

Procedure Type	Typical Cost Range
Minor eye turn correction	~$3,000
Standard correction (one eye)	$4,000 – $7,000
Complex or repeat cases	$10,000 – $15,000+

If you've had previous surgery or have significant scarring, expect to pay toward the higher end.

Strabismus Surgery Cost by State

Where you live makes a real difference. Here's what the data shows for 2026:

Highest Cost States

State	Hospital Cost	Surgery Center Cost
Alaska	$7,074	$4,275
New Jersey	$6,859	$4,146
Minnesota	$6,648	$4,018
California	$6,492	$3,924
New York	$6,454	$3,901

Lowest Cost States

State	Hospital Cost	Surgery Center Cost
Iowa	$4,976	$3,007
South Dakota	$5,143	$3,109
Kansas	$5,153	$3,114
Arkansas	$5,182	$3,132
Tennessee	$5,187	$3,135

Key insight: Surgery centers are consistently 30-40% cheaper than hospitals for the same procedure. If your surgeon operates at both, ask about the surgery center option.

Does Insurance Cover Strabismus Surgery Cost?

Here's the good news: Yes, most insurance plans cover strabismus surgery.

Despite what some people think, strabismus surgery is NOT classified as cosmetic when it affects your vision or quality of life. It's considered medically necessary.

Major Insurers That Cover Strabismus Surgery

Insurance	Coverage Status
Blue Cross Blue Shield	✅ Covered
Aetna	✅ Covered
Cigna	✅ Covered
UnitedHealthcare	✅ Covered
Kaiser	✅ Covered
Medicare	✅ Covered

What Insurance Considers "Medically Necessary"

To get coverage, your doctor needs to document that you have one or more of these conditions:

• Double vision (diplopia)
• Visual confusion
• Need for binocular vision restoration
• Abnormal head posture compensation
• Impact on work or daily functioning
• Failed non-surgical treatments (prism glasses, patches)
• Psychological or social impact

Real Out-of-Pocket Costs WITH Insurance

Plan Type	Typical Out-of-Pocket
Low deductible plan ($250-$500)	$250 – $750
Standard deductible ($500-$1,500)	$500 – $2,000
High deductible (HSA/HDHP)	$2,000 – $3,500
Already hit out-of-pocket max	$0

Real patient examples from online communities:

• "$750 total" — BCBS PPO, $500 deductible
• "$250 copay only" — Full coverage plan
• "$0" — Already hit out-of-pocket max earlier in year
• "$2,600" — After $28,000 procedure in Ohio

Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About

The surgery price you're quoted is rarely the final number. Here's what else to budget for:

Pre-Surgery Costs

Item	Cost Range
Initial consultation	$100 – $300
Comprehensive eye exam	$200 – $500
Alignment measurements	Included or $100-$200
MRI scans (if needed)	$500 – $1,000

Anesthesia Fees

This is often billed separately from the surgery itself:

• General anesthesia: $500 – $1,000
• Local with sedation: $200 – $500

Post-Surgery Costs

Item	Cost Range
Follow-up visits (2-3 appointments)	$50 – $150 each
Prescription eye drops	$10 – $75
Pain medication	$10 – $30
Temporary prism glasses (if needed)	$150 – $400
Vision therapy (if recommended)	$1,600 – $3,300

The Revision Surgery Factor

Here's something most people don't know: About 13% of patients need a second surgery.

The first surgery has about an 80% success rate. After additional procedures, that climbs to 87-95%. But revision surgeries often cost MORE because of scar tissue — sometimes $2,000 to $3,000 extra.

How to Reduce Your Strabismus Surgery Cost

Some practical ways to lower your final bill:

• Choose a surgery center over a hospital — Save 30-40%
• Time your surgery strategically — If you've already hit your deductible, surgery costs less out-of-pocket
• Use HSA/FSA funds — Pay with pre-tax dollars
• Ask about payment plans — Many surgeons offer 6-24 month no-interest plans
• Consider medical credit cards — CareCredit offers 0% promotional periods
• Get multiple quotes — Prices vary significantly between surgeons
• Travel to a lower-cost state — If you're near a border, the savings might be worth it

Is Strabismus Surgery Worth the Cost?

This is the real question, isn't it?

The average strabismus surgery cost of $5,000-$7,000 (or $500-$2,000 with insurance) buys you:

• Improved or restored binocular vision
• Elimination of double vision
• Better depth perception
• Confidence in social situations
• Career opportunities that eye contact unlocks
• Freedom from the daily mental load of managing misaligned eyes

For most people, the answer is yes. But only you can decide if the numbers work for your situation.

Next Steps After Understanding Costs

Now that you understand the financial side, here are your next steps:

1. Find the right surgeon — Read our guide on how to find the best strabismus surgeon
2. Understand the procedure — Learn about adult strabismus surgery
3. Prepare for recovery — See our week-by-week recovery timeline
4. Not sure if you need surgery? — Take our self-assessment quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does strabismus surgery cost without insurance?

Without insurance, strabismus surgery typically costs $5,000 to $10,000 per eye. The national average is around $6,700. Costs vary by state, with Iowa being cheapest ($5,000) and Alaska most expensive ($7,000).

Does insurance cover strabismus surgery?

Yes, most major insurance plans cover strabismus surgery when it's documented as medically necessary. This includes Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser, and Medicare. Typical out-of-pocket costs with insurance range from $500 to $2,000.

Why is strabismus surgery so expensive?

Strabismus surgery cost includes surgeon fees, facility fees, anesthesia, and pre/post-operative care. Hospital surgeries cost more due to higher overhead. Surgery centers offer the same procedure for 30-40% less.

What hidden costs should I expect?

Beyond the quoted surgery price, expect $1,000-$5,600 in additional costs including: pre-op testing ($500-$1,000), separate anesthesia billing ($200-$1,000), follow-up visits ($150-$450), medications ($20-$100), and time off work ($500-$3,000).

Next Steps

Ready to move forward? Here's what to do:

1. Call your insurance — Ask specifically about strabismus surgery coverage and pre-authorization requirements
2. Get a consultation — Most surgeons offer initial consultations to assess your case
3. Request an itemized quote — Ask what's included and what's billed separately
4. Compare options — Get quotes from 2-3 surgeons if possible

If you want personalized guidance on navigating the cost and insurance maze, book a free consultation and we'll help you figure out your best path forward.