Why is myopia surgery still not reimbursed?

Nearly 40% of French people suffer from myopia, a condition that can be reduced with glasses, contact lenses or even surgery for some. However, the latter is not refunded. What if we discussed it more?

The scourge of myopia in France

Myopia, this eye disease which considerably affects distance vision, is a disease which affects almost half of the French population. In fact, 4 out of 10 French people are myopic. Fortunately, several solutions exist to combat this condition, including glasses, contact lenses and for some, surgery.

Surgical intervention: a non-reimbursed solution

Unlike glasses and lenses, surgery to correct myopia is not covered by Social Security. This reality may seem surprising, even aberrant, when we think of the number of people who could regain clear vision thanks to this operation. Actu.fr enlightens us on the question: why is this intervention, which can cost up to 4,000 euros, not reimbursed by Social Security?

An overview of myopia surgery

There are several surgical techniques to correct myopia, but approximately 80 to 90% of operations are done via two techniques with lasers. According to Thierry Bour, former president of the National Union of Ophthalmologists of France, the objective of the operation is to restore the eyes to normal conditions. However, not all myopes are eligible for this procedure. Eligibility criteria include stable vision for at least two years and the legal age of majority.

The cost of the operation and the debate on reimbursement

The cost of this operation varies between 1,000 and 2,000 euros per eye, a significant sum knowing that it is not covered by Health Insurance. Some mutual insurance companies can cover a small part of this cost, generally around 300 to 400 euros. Despite this, some patients cannot afford such an expense.

The question of reimbursement for this intervention by Social Security is giving rise to debate. Health Insurance justifies its refusal of reimbursement by describing the operation as “comfortable”. However, Cédric Thein, member of the MYopiA association, disputes this assertion by highlighting the annual cost of optical equipment and the long-term positive impact that reimbursement for the operation could have.

The debate remains open. The potential benefits of reimbursement for patients must be weighed against the financial implications for the health system. It remains to be seen whether this point of view will be taken into account in the future.