Laser eye surgery can be used to correct your vision, so that you are less reliant on wearing glasses and contact lenses. People who are short-sighted, have long sight or have astigmatism can benefit from the procedure. Laser eye surgery to correct vision is sometimes referred to as Lasik. UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence considers laser eye surgery to be safe and effective for ‘appropriately selected patients’. The procedure is carried out under a local anaesthetic in the form of eye drops and involves laser reshaping of the cornea to alter the way light moves through your eye. Both eyes can be treated during the same session which should take around 20-30 minutes in total.
Who is Lasik suitable for?
Your eye prescription should be stable for at least 12 months prior to the surgery. There are certain medical conditions that may mean that laser eye surgery is not suitable for you: these conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, diabetes and keratoconus. If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, you are likely to be asked to wait because hormonal changes can affect your eyesight. At your assessment, your surgeon will ask you questions about your health and advise you whether Lasik is right for you or whether a different procedure would offer a better outcome.
Laser eye surgery recovery
Following your Lasik procedure, you will be given eye drops to prevent infection and dryness. You may also be given eye protection to guard against injury and rubbing. You may experience slight eye discomfort, but this should be easily managed with simple painkiller that you can buy over-the-counter.
Most people find that that they recover fully within one week and that they notice an improvement in their vision within a few days. The majority who opt for laser eye surgery achieve 20:20 vision on full recovery. Overall, once the shape of your cornea is changed, the correction to your vision is permanent. While changes in your eye will occur naturally with age, these changes occur very slowly, so you are unlikely to require laser eye surgery again.
Are there side effects to laser eye surgery?
Serious complications are relatively rare.
The most common complaint is dry eyes which make your eyes feel gritty. However, this side effect is avoidable if susceptible patients are picked up early and managed properly with supplements or medication. If you do develop dry eyes, artificial tears can help. The condition should clear up completely within a few months.
Some people who have very poor eyesight to begin with, may notice problems with their night vision, such as blurriness and glaring from oncoming traffic. This can be treated and should resolve completely.
You may develop red areas in the whites of your eyes, but these will clear up naturally. You may also experience floaters, halos and starbursts, but these should also resolve over the first few months following surgery.
Thinking about laser eye surgery?
At Ramsay Health Care we are proud to work in partnership with some of the highest qualified and experienced ophthalmologist, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain management consultants and physiotherapists in the UK. Our holistic care offers you the best treatment!
At Ramsay you won’t have to wait for an appointment.Your treatment may be covered by medical insurance and self-pay packages are available on request. We have first class facilities and all self-funding and most privately insured patients can enjoy exclusive benefits including superb food, a relaxing environment, priority access and appointments to suit your lifestyle. Our aim is to help you feel like a guest as well as a patient.