The cost estimate should follow OCT and specialist review
An epiretinal membrane can be observed when symptoms are limited, while surgery may be considered when visual distortion or reduced vision is sufficiently important. UKE describes fundus examination and OCT for diagnosis and vitrectomy with membrane peeling when operative treatment is indicated. The hospital therefore needs the actual retinal findings before a meaningful surgical quotation can be prepared.
- Retinal specialist consultation
- Recent macular OCT and retinal examination
- Pars plana vitrectomy
- Epiretinal membrane peeling and any additional membrane work when planned
- Anesthesia arrangements
- Outpatient or inpatient care pathway
Lens status and previous eye surgery can affect the treatment plan
Vitreoretinal surgery is not financially identical in every eye. Lens status, previous retinal or cataract surgery, other macular disease and unexpected intraoperative findings can change the services needed. Ask whether any combined lens procedure is part of the plan or would be quoted separately.
Follow-up should be included in the comparison
International patients should compare the expected postoperative pathway, not only the operating-room procedure. Early retinal checks, eye drops, additional imaging and the time the patient should remain near the center can affect the real medical-travel budget.
- Number and timing of early postoperative examinations
- Postoperative OCT when planned
- Eye drops and prescriptions
- Plan for urgent review if vision worsens
- When follow-up can transfer to the ophthalmologist at home
- Any travel restrictions related to the actual operation
Why we do not publish a made-up fixed price
LMU states that it does not publish a general price list and that exact final treatment cost depends on the care actually delivered. UKE describes preparation of an individual estimate after the medical department creates a treatment plan, using the applicable German billing framework. For an international self-pay patient, a hospital-specific written quotation is therefore more useful than an unsourced headline number.
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-09-13. Cost procedures and published service fees can change, so confirm current terms directly with the provider before transferring money or booking travel.
- Cost Plan — LMU Klinikum International Patient Office ↗
- International patient process and cost estimate — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Epiretinal membrane – diagnosis and treatment — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Retinal disease treatment – vitrectomy with membrane peeling — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Indications for vitreoretinal surgery – epiretinal gliosis — University Medical Center Freiburg ↗