LASIK & PRK Laser Eye Surgery & Treatment

Laser vision correction is not suitable for everyone and you will undergo a detailed assessment to ensure it is safe for you. Approximately 1-2% of patients have condition such as dry eyes or weakness or possible weakness of the cornea meaning that laser eye surgery cannot be performed, and other treatment options  in these cases will be discussed in these situations.

When performed by an experienced surgeon using modern equipment, laser vision correction is a very safe and successful procedure.

Laser vision correction is not painful as anaesthetic eye drops are put into the eye before treatment. There may be a brief sensation of pressure. Postoperative discomfort is often described as similar to as if you have been chopping onions for the first 24 hours after treatment with LASIK, and up to a week with surface treatment (PRK or transPRK).

The overall risk of a serious complication resulting in 2 or more lines of vision that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lens is estimated to be less than 1 in 1000. Other complications that are treatable or improve with time include dry eyes and blepharitis, and mild glare/ halos with night vision. Rare complications include severe dry eyes, infection, ectasia and longterm light sensitivity.

All patients will experience some degree of dry eye, and notice glare/ halos particularly at night for the first 3 months of the healing process. In 1% patients, these may last for more than a year but become less with time. Some people, especially those with naturally large pupils or those having large treatments, may perceive a soft glow around lights or hard objects at night longterm.

Most people have both eyes treated during the same treatment session. All instruments are “single use” with different ones used for each eye to minimise any infection risk.

The expectation is almost all will achieve 20/20 after their advanced laser vision correction, however it is important to understand this cannot be guaranteed.

Laser vision correction does not stop the normal ageing process within the eye that continues throughout life. Laser vision correction has now been performed for over 25 years, and long-term studies show that laser vision correction to be stable in most people. However the expectation is that there may be the need for further treatment or to wear a weak spectacle or contact lens correction in the long term.

After LASIK many people return to work the next day. After PRK/ transPRK most people take a week off work to allow their vision to recover. For those with ‘vision critical’ occupations, such as police, military personnel and pilots, there are specific visual requirements before returning to duty after treatment.

Laser vision correction does not stop the normal ageing process within the eye. Everyone with normal distance vision will eventually need reading glasses in middle age due to presbyopia.

Recovery depends on the type of treatment with those undergoing LASIK being able to return to most normal activities after 24 hours. For surface based laser treatments there is slower visual recovery and most are able to return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks.