Ophthalmologist Salary in Sri Lanka 2026
Complete salary guide for eye specialists and surgeons in government and private hospitals
Quick Answer
Ophthalmologists in Sri Lanka earn LKR 300,000-800,000/month. Government ophthalmologists earn LKR 200,000-380,000. Private ophthalmologists earn LKR 350,000-700,000. Cataract surgeons earn LKR 400,000-900,000. LASIK and refractive surgeons earn LKR 500,000-1,200,000. Starting salary: LKR 200,000-260,000.
Ophthalmologist Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Government (LKR) | Private (LKR) | Top Earners |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Ophthalmology | 200,000 - 380,000 | 300,000 - 600,000 | 500K-750K |
| Cataract Surgeon | 280,000 - 420,000 | 400,000 - 900,000 | 600K-1M |
| LASIK/Refractive Surgeon | 300,000 - 450,000 | 500,000 - 1,200,000 | 800K-1.3M |
| Retina Specialist | 280,000 - 400,000 | 400,000 - 800,000 | 550K-900K |
| Glaucoma Specialist | 260,000 - 380,000 | 320,000 - 650,000 | 450K-700K |
Private Hospital Ophthalmology Earnings
| Hospital | Focus | Monthly (LKR) | Plus Surgery Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision Care Eye Hospital | Comprehensive Eye Care | 450,000 - 1,000,000 | LASIK + Cataract |
| Durdans Hospital Eye Centre | Surgical Ophthalmology | 400,000 - 850,000 | Premium cataract |
| Lanka Hospitals Ophthalmology | Retina + Cataract | 380,000 - 800,000 | High volume |
| Nawaloka Eye Centre | General + Surgical | 350,000 - 750,000 | Multiple types |
| National Eye Hospital (Govt) | All specialties | 200,000 - 350,000 | + Private practice |
Eye Surgery Procedure Fees
Surgical Procedures:
- + Cataract Surgery: LKR 80K-180K total
- + Premium Lens IOL: LKR 150K-300K
- + LASIK: LKR 80K-200K per eye
- + Glaucoma Surgery: LKR 100K-220K
- + Retinal Surgery: LKR 150K-350K
Consultation and Diagnostic:
- + Consultation: LKR 2,500-5,000
- + Eye Examination: LKR 2,000-4,000
- + OCT Scan: LKR 5,000-12,000
- + Visual Field Test: LKR 3,000-6,000
- + Retinal Examination: LKR 3,000-6,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary of an ophthalmologist in Sri Lanka?
Ophthalmologists in Sri Lanka earn LKR 300,000-800,000/month depending on experience and subspecialty. Government ophthalmologists earn LKR 200,000-380,000 base salary. Private ophthalmologists earn LKR 350,000-700,000. Cataract surgeons earn LKR 400,000-900,000. LASIK and refractive surgeons earn LKR 500,000-1,200,000. Combined government and private practice yields LKR 400,000-900,000.
What is the starting salary of an ophthalmologist?
A newly qualified ophthalmologist starts at LKR 200,000-260,000/month in government service. Starting private practice ophthalmologists typically earn LKR 250,000-400,000 while building patient base. Many combine government position with private consultations, earning LKR 300,000-480,000 total monthly initially. Cataract surgery fellow can start higher at LKR 280,000-450,000.
How much does a cataract surgeon earn?
Cataract surgeons are among highest-earning ophthalmologists at LKR 400,000-900,000/month. Single cataract surgery with intraocular lens earns LKR 50,000-120,000 professional fee. High-volume cataract surgeons performing 50-100 surgeries monthly earn LKR 600,000-1,500,000. Private hospital cataract surgeons at Durdans, Lanka Hospitals, Nawaloka earn LKR 500,000-1,000,000. Phacoemulsification surgeons command premium fees.
What is LASIK salary in Sri Lanka?
LASIK surgeons in Sri Lanka earn LKR 500,000-1,200,000/month. LASIK procedure fee LKR 80,000-200,000 per eye depending on technology. Few centers offer LASIK: Vision Care, Optical Ophthalmic Hospital, private hospital eye centers. Limited competition allows premium pricing. LASIK certification requires additional training. Growing demand for refractive surgery increases earning potential.
What is the consult fee for ophthalmologists?
Ophthalmologist consultation fees: Government hospitals free or minimal. Private hospitals LKR 2,500-5,000 per consultation in Colombo, LKR 1,500-3,000 suburban. Senior ophthalmologists charge LKR 4,000-7,000. Eye examination including vision test LKR 2,000-4,000. Retina examination LKR 3,000-6,000. Glaucoma assessment LKR 3,000-5,000. Specialty consultations (retina, cornea) higher at LKR 4,000-8,000.
How long does it take to become an ophthalmologist?
It takes 10-12 years to become an ophthalmologist: 5 years MBBS + 1 year internship + 3-4 years MD Ophthalmology postgraduate training. Subspecialty fellowship (retina, cornea, glaucoma) adds 1-2 years. Total training: 10-14 years after A/L. During ophthalmology training, doctors earn LKR 120,000-200,000 as registrars at Eye Hospital Colombo and teaching hospitals.
Which hospitals have ophthalmology departments?
Major ophthalmology centers: Eye Hospital Colombo (National Eye Hospital), Teaching Hospital Karapitiya Eye Unit, Teaching Hospital Kandy Eye Unit. Private: Vision Care Eye Hospital, Durdans Hospital Eye Centre, Lanka Hospitals Ophthalmology, Nawaloka Eye Centre, Asiri Eye Care. Specialty clinics for LASIK, retina, pediatric ophthalmology. Sri Lanka Catalyst project aims to eliminate cataract blindness.
Do ophthalmologists do surgery?
Yes, ophthalmologists perform eye surgeries: Cataract extraction and lens implantation (most common), LASIK and refractive surgery, Glaucoma surgery, Retinal surgery, Corneal transplantation, Pediatric eye surgery, Oculoplastic surgery. Surgical ophthalmologists earn significantly higher (LKR 400K-900K) vs medical ophthalmologists (LKR 250K-550K). Surgery fees significantly boost monthly earnings.
What is the demand for ophthalmologists in Sri Lanka?
High demand for ophthalmologists in Sri Lanka due to: Aging population increasing cataract cases, Diabetes causing diabetic retinopathy, Growing need for refractive surgery (LASIK), Glaucoma screening needs, Limited number of ophthalmologists (approximately 200). Government expanding eye care services. Private hospital eye centres expanding. Vision 2020 initiatives increase demand. Strong career prospects and job security.
Can ophthalmologists run private eye clinics?
Yes, many ophthalmologists run private eye clinics or chain eye centers. Private eye clinic earnings: LKR 400,000-1,000,000/month for established practice. Vision care centers, optical shops combined with clinics. Optometry services add revenue. Eye clinic setup cost LKR 2-10 million (equipment: slit lamp, autorefractor, surgical microscope). Monthly operating cost LKR 100,000-300,000. Break-even in 2-4 years with good patient volume.
What subspecialties exist in ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology subspecialties: Cornea and External Disease (LKR 350K-700K private), Retina and Vitreous (LKR 400K-800K), Glaucoma (LKR 320K-650K), Pediatric Ophthalmology (LKR 300K-600K), Oculoplastics (LKR 350K-700K), Refractive Surgery/LASIK (LKR 500K-1.2M), Uveitis (LKR 280K-550K). Subspecialty 1-2 years fellowship after ophthalmology training. Retina and cornea subspecialties typically earn highest.
How much does cataract surgery cost in Sri Lanka?
Cataract surgery cost in Sri Lanka private hospitals: Phacoemulsification with IOL LKR 80,000-180,000 per eye total package (surgeon fee LKR 50K-100K). Premium IOL (multifocal, toric) LKR 150,000-300,000 per eye. Government hospitals: Free or minimal cost. Insurance coverage varies. Complete package includes pre-operative evaluation, surgery, IOL, post-operative care. Bilateral cataract surgery LKR 150,000-350,000 total. Growing demand for premium lens options.