Laser eye surgery
- Mr Ali Mearza, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Liz Wolf, Freelance Health Editor
Key points
- Laser eye surgery can help correct problems with your eyesight and reduce your need to wear glasses or contact lenses.
- Laser eye surgery side-effects include blurred vision and dry eyes for a few days. In rare cases there can be long-term complications.
- Speak with a GP about the benefits and possible risks of laser eye surgery before deciding whether to have it.
What is laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery can correct problems with your eyesight, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. This can mean you need to wear contact lenses and glasses far less often, or not at all. But as with any procedure, there are potential risks to consider.
How permanent is laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery will permanently reshape the tissue in your cornea and these changes last your whole life. But your vision may still change over time due to age-related changes.
Who can have laser eye surgery
Usually, you’ll only be able to have laser eye surgery if you:
- are over 18
- are in good general health
- have healthy eyes
- have had a stable prescription (very little change in your eyesight) for the last two years
Laser eye surgery usually works best if you’re within a specific glasses/ contact lenses prescription range. Your eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will check if it’s an option for you.
Can laser eye surgery help with age-related long-sight?
Laser eye surgery can help with age-related long sight, but it’s done a little differently. An eye surgeon can treat one eye to improve your close vision and the other to focus well for distance vision. This is called monovision.
Monovision doesn’t suit everyone. Your eye surgeon will probably suggest you wear adapted contact lenses or glasses first before you decide to have surgery.
Considerations for laser eye surgery
Before deciding whether to have laser eye surgery, meet with an eye surgeon so they can assess you. They’ll do some tests to check the health of your eyes and your eyesight. Check if your clinic will charge you for these.
Your surgeon will ask you not to wear contact lenses before this assessment. How long can vary – it’s usually three to five days for soft lenses, and up to four weeks for hard lenses.
During your appointment, you may want to ask:
- what laser eye surgery costs, including aftercare
- what to expect from your treatment
- how long the recovery is
- any possible complications
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has produced a helpful checklist (PDF 225KB).
Laser eye surgery procedure
You can have laser eye surgery and go home the same day. The surgery itself usually takes less than half an hour.
Your surgeon will put drops of a local anaesthetic into your eyes to numb them. They’ll use a clip to keep your eye open during the procedure. It’s natural to feel anxious, and your surgeon will talk you through every step.
Your surgeon may use a gentle suction device to hold your eye still during some parts of the procedure. They’ll also ask you to look at what’s called a fixation light during the treatment to keep your eye in the right position.
There are different types of surgery. The most common ones in the UK are:
- LASIK
- surface laser treatments (PRK, LASEK and TransPRK)
- SMILE/SmartSight
What happens next will depend on which type of procedure you have.
- In LASIK, your surgeon will use a laser to create a thin flap on the surface of your cornea. They’ll lift this flap up and use a laser to reshape the cornea. Finally, they’ll smooth the flap back down over the top.
- In PRK, LASEK and TransPRK, your surgeon will use a laser directly on the surface of your cornea to reshape it.
- In SMILE or SmartSight, your surgeon will use a laser to create a small keyhole opening. The laser will also separate a small disc-shaped piece of tissue within the cornea, which your surgeon will pull out through the keyhole opening.
After your surgery, your surgeon may place a see-through plastic shield over your eye to protect it. They may also put a ‘bandage contact lens’ in your eye for up to a week, to protect it while it heals. This looks like a normal contact lens, but you wear it day and night until your doctor removes it.
How painful is laser eye surgery?
Your eye may be sore for a couple of days while it recovers. If it becomes increasingly painful or your vision changes, contact your eye surgeon. Also contact your surgeon if your eye becomes sensitive to light or you have an eye injury.
Aftercare for laser eye surgery
You’ll be able to go home when you’re ready, but ask a friend or relative to drive you.
You may need to wear a protective plastic shield over your eyes at night for the first few days. Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to help your eyes heal, and artificial tears to keep them comfortable. Make sure you follow your surgeon’s advice.
You may be able to return to work and drive the day after LASIK, but it may take a week or so with other procedures. You may need to stop playing any contact sports for up to a month.
By three months after surgery, your vision should be stable and unlikely to change further, but it can take longer.
Side-effects of laser eye surgery
Most people get mild side-effects after surgery. These usually improve over time, although occasionally they may not go away completely. They include:
- dry eyes
- hazy or blurry vision
- glare or halo effects – especially when you drive at night
- red blotches in the white of your eye
It’s normal to have some changes in your vision in the first few weeks but contact a doctor if you’re concerned.
Complications of laser eye surgery
Complications are rare and serious problems are very unusual. Fewer than one in 10 people may need a second operation. For people who do, it’s often because of under- or over-correction of their eyesight.
There are some laser eye surgery risks. Complications that affect your sight, like a post-operative infection or damage to the cornea are extremely rare.
Where can I have laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is rarely carried out on the NHS, so you’ll usually need to book treatment at a private clinic.
It’s very important that wherever you have laser eye surgery, you check that your surgeon is properly qualified. Your surgeon must be:
- registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
- be on the GMC’s specialist register in ophthalmology, or have a certificate in laser refractive surgery (Cert LRS)
- be fully insured to carry out laser eye surgery in the UK
You can check a surgeon’s credentials with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, or the General Medical Council.
How much does laser eye surgery cost?
Costs for the surgery vary. They’ll depend on what procedure you’re having, and what your prescription is. Check if your quote covers initial consultations, follow-up visits, and any extra treatment you may need.
Looking for prompt access to quality care?
You could access specialist support teams to guide you through treatment that may occur.
To get a quote or to make an enquiry, call us on 0808 273 6216∧
Other helpful websites
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This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.
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