You’ll be given local anaesthetic for your refractive surgical procedure, so pain or discomfit at the time of surgery is uncommon.
It’s also very unusual for there to be pain following LASIK or intraocular lens procedures. Occasionally, you may experience a mild gritty sensation or discomfort in your eyes immediately after LASIK. This will usually resolve in a few hours.
Discomfort is more common after surface laser ablation for two to three days, as the surface of the eye heals.
This will depend upon the procedure, but in most cases the actual surgery only takes 10-20 minutes and you will be with us for 2-3 hours in total.
Excimer laser surgery permanently alters the shape of your cornea. However, this doesn’t mean your refractive error will not change. This means that if you naturally become more short- or long-sighted over time, then this will still occur.
With lens replacement surgery, once your own lens has been removed the effects are permanent.
Presbyopia is a natural aging condition that affects most people in their mid-forties to fifties. It is caused by the lens in the eye becoming less elastic with age, and therefore not working as effectively at short distances. This means that most people in this age group start to need reading glasses or bifocals.
Whether or not you have refractive surgery, you are likely to need reading glasses at some stage. It is also possible that people may need to wear a small prescription for certain other activities after surgery.
Laser surgery might be able to help you: monovision is a possible alternative to reading glasses, while refractive lens surgery with multifocal implants could also help.
Book your consultation today to find out more.
This will depend on the procedure being carried out, but it’s possible to perform laser surgery on both eyes on the same day.
Your surgeon will discuss the risks during your consultation. However, the final decision is yours.
The eye is healed structurally at approximately one month, and optically at approximately three months after surgery.
Most patients’ vision is good enough to resume their normal activities the day after the procedure. The exception is in the case of surface laser surgery, after which your vision could take up to one week to return to normal.
How long do my contact lenses need to be left out prior to the consultation?
Soft contact lenses need to be left out for at least three days prior to the consultation. Hard or gas permeable contact lenses need to be left out for at least three weeks.
Why do contact lenses have to be left out prior to the consultation?
Contact lenses need to be left out prior to the consultation and any subsequent assessment, as they may affect the natural curvature of the cornea. For accuracy, we need to know the curvature of the cornea before surgery, therefore it is essential that you leave them out for the recommended period.
If I need to will I be able to wear contact lenses after the surgery?
If you do need to wear contact lenses then they can be fitted three months after surgery.
If I need to will I be able to wear contact lenses after the surgery?
If you do need to wear contact lenses then they can be fitted three months after surgery.
Can I wear eye makeup prior to surgery?
We ask that you do not wear any eye makeup for a minimum of 3 days prior to and on the day of surgery.
Do I need to remove my nail varnish prior to lens surgery?
Yes, we recommend you remove all nail varnish prior to refractive lens surgery
How long until I can wear makeup?
We advise that you do not wear makeup for a minimum of two weeks after the surgery.
How long until I can have my eye lashes tinted?
We advise that you do not get your eye lashes tinted for at least one month after the surgery.
How long until I can fly?
We recommend at least one week (as long as you’ve had your first follow up appointment).
How long until I can play sports?
One week for non-contact sports.
One month for contact sports like football, rugby, boxing and martial arts.
How long until I can swim and use the sauna or the steam room?
We advise that you don’t swim or us a sauna or steam room until two weeks after surgery.
How long until I can go back to work?
You will need to see the surgeon on the day after LASIK surgery and the second and fifth day after surface laser surgery.
For most procedures it is recommended that you take 1-2 days off work.
With surface laser 5 days is recommended, and following refractive lens surgery 2-3 days is recommended.
Certain manual workers may require a little longer in all cases.
When will I be able to drive?
Usually you are able to drive within a few days of surgery as long as you meet legal driving standards. We suggest that you wait until you’ve adjusted to both your night and day vision.
The success rate depends on your ocular health and refractive error. We’ll discuss this in depth with you during your initial consultation with your surgeon.
The flap is settled immediately after surgery. It is possible for it to move on the first night after surgery. The surgeon can lift the flap if necessary for retreatments, but you are very unlikely to move it after the first week unless you rub it vigorously.
Laser surgery does not cause presbyopia.
However, if you have refractive lens exchange and an intraocular implant this will result in a loss of ability to focus (unless an accommodating or multifocal implant can be used) and reading glasses may be required.
If you need retreatment within the first two years we’ll perform it free of charge on a like-for-like basis.
After two years, you’ll be charged a small facility fee, which you’ll also be charged for any other procedures you need.
Yes. Myopia can be treated to approximately -12, while hypermetropia can be treated to +6.
Up to 6 dioptres of astigmatism can be treated by LASIK.
Patients unsuitable for excimer laser treatment may be offered an alternative treatment option to correct their vision.
To determine your suitability for laser surgery you need an assessment consultation at site for eyes. At this consultation we will look at the general health of your eye, discuss the treatment options, the possible complications and the results you can expect after surgery.