Rathfarnham at a glance
- People in Rathfarnham
- 23,276CSO Census 2022, Dublin City Council and South Dublin
- Aged 20 to 39
- 24%5,640 people (Dublin: 31%)
- Aged 45 to 64
- 24%5,630 people (Dublin: 23%)
- To the city centre
- 12 min6 km by car, outside rush hour
- To Sandyford
- 12 min7 km by car, outside rush hour
- Laser, per eye
- €800 to €2,600Dublin price guide
Getting to the clinic from Rathfarnham
Most of Dublin's laser eye clinics are in the city centre and in south county Dublin around Sandyford and Carrickmines, both on the Luas Green line. From Rathfarnham, the city centre is the nearer of the two by car: the city centre about 12 minutes and Sandyford about 12 minutes, outside rush hour. There is no rail in Rathfarnham; Sandyford is about as close by car as the city centre.
Plan on about six visits: the assessment, the treatment, the next day, about a week, and later checks at three months and a year. You can't drive yourself home after treatment. Have someone collect you or book a taxi, bring sunglasses because light will feel harsh, and leave the Luas or DART for another day.
Age and the treatment that fits
About 5,640 people in Rathfarnham are aged 20 to 39, the age most people have laser treatment once their prescription settles, and 5,630 are 45 to 64, when reading glasses arrive and lens replacement starts to make sense.
For everyday prescriptions, LASIK, LASEK or PRK and SMILE; for high prescriptions or thin corneas, an implantable lens.
What it costs
| Treatment | Per eye | Both eyes |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | €1,500 to €2,600 | €3,000 to €5,200 |
| LASEK, PRK or TransPRK | €800 to €2,600 | €1,600 to €5,200 |
| SMILE | €2,600 | €5,200 |
| Implantable contact lens (ICL) | €2,900 to €3,900 | €5,800 to €7,800 |
| Lens replacement (RLE) | €2,900 to €3,700 | €5,800 to €7,400 |
Choosing a clinic
Ask who will operate and look the surgeon up on the Medical Council's register: an eye surgeon practising as a specialist should be on its Specialist Division, in ophthalmology.
Give yourself at least a week between meeting the surgeon and deciding, as the Royal College of Ophthalmologists advises, and check the deposit is refundable.
Our assessment guide lists the questions to bring.
Treatments and visits
Questions from Rathfarnham
Where is the nearest laser eye clinic to Rathfarnham?
Dublin's clinics are mostly in the city centre and around Sandyford and Carrickmines. From Rathfarnham, the city centre is nearer by car, about 12 minutes outside rush hour.
How do I get home to Rathfarnham after laser eye surgery?
By car with someone else driving, or by taxi. You can't drive yourself, and public transport is uncomfortable with sore, light-sensitive eyes.
Does laser eye surgery cost more near Rathfarnham?
No. Dublin clinics charge in the same range as the rest of Ireland: €800 to €2,600 per eye for laser.
Who contacts me if I enquire from Rathfarnham?
One Dublin eye clinic, not five. They contact you to arrange an assessment. Nothing is booked until you say yes.