LaserVision

LASIK Treatment at a glance

30 mins

Numbing Eyedrops

None

Up to 10 years

Quick & Painless

What is LASIK?

The principle of LASIK eye surgery is to use a specialist laser to precisely reshape the curvature of the cornea – the dome-shaped, clear window at the front of the eye.

Normally, images are clearly focussed on the retina at the back of the eye because the light rays are bent correctly to focus on the retinal surface.

In myopia – nearsightedness, hyperopia – farsightedness and astigmatism, light entering the eye is bent incorrectly and focused away from the retina which can cause blurred vision. Spectacles and contact lenses bend the light correctly to provide clear vision. Reshaping the profile of the cornea with laser surgery ensures that light is bent correctly onto the retina without the burden of spectacles or contact lenses.

Our specialist, independent NHS Consultant Eye Surgeons are dual-trained to the highest standard in cornea and refractive surgery. LASIK is considered to be one of the safest forms of refractive surgery, and it’s estimated that over 32 million LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide.

lasik eye surgeon

At Laser Vision we perform this laser eye procedure using the femtosecond laser, The Schwind Amaris 1050RS and The Ziemer Z8 lasers.

During the first step, the femtosecond laser uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser to create the corneal flap – instead of using a metal blade. Each pulse of light passes through the top layers of the cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within the eye that is determined by our laser eye surgeons. The laser moves back and forth across the eye, creating a uniform layer of bubbles just beneath the corneal surface. Unlike mechanical instruments, femtosecond laser technology is uniquely able to program the dimensions of the flap based on what is best for the eye.

The Schwind Amaris 1050RS is one of the world’s highest-performance eye laser systems for refractive and therapeutic corneal surgery, bringing together the most advanced technology in existence. With its repetition rate of 1050 Hz and its unique 7D eye tracking, it offers unmatched speed, precision, and safety for laser eye surgery. The very fine 0.54 mm laser spot further enhances the precision and smooth corneal modelling of this device. The Ziemer Z8 laser is one of the latest and most advanced femtosecond laser technologies available, with an ability to create 3-dimensional flaps which are more stable and secure. The low energy, high repetition rate laser can create super-smooth flaps, resulting in extremely rapid recovery of vision.

At Laser Vision we perform this laser eye procedure using the femtosecond laser, The Schwind Amaris 1050RS and The Ziemer Z8 lasers.

During the first step, the femtosecond laser uses tiny, rapid pulses of laser to create the corneal flap – instead of using a metal blade. Each pulse of light passes through the top layers of the cornea and forms a microscopic bubble at a specific depth and position within the eye that is determined by our laser eye surgeons. The laser moves back and forth across the eye, creating a uniform layer of bubbles just beneath the corneal surface. Unlike mechanical instruments, femtosecond laser technology is uniquely able to program the dimensions of the flap based on what is best for the eye.

The Schwind Amaris 1050RS is one of the world’s highest-performance eye laser systems for refractive and therapeutic corneal surgery, bringing together the most advanced technology in existence. With its repetition rate of 1050 Hz and its unique 7D eye tracking, it offers unmatched speed, precision, and safety for laser eye surgery. The very fine 0.54 mm laser spot further enhances the precision and smooth corneal modelling of this device. The Ziemer Z8 laser is one of the latest and most advanced femtosecond laser technologies available, with an ability to create 3-dimensional flaps which are more stable and secure. The low energy, high repetition rate laser can create super-smooth flaps, resulting in extremely rapid recovery of vision.

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LaserVision-Treatment-LASIK-Benefits3 Benefits

Laser Vision Correction with LASIK

  • Quick, painless procedure, lasting less than 10 minutes per eye.
  • Rapid results, with patients often seeing well the next day.
  • Clinically proven treatment – Research indicates that 92-98% of patients achieve their desired vision after LASIK treatment and complete satisfaction.
  • End-to-end laser technology.
  • Bladeless surgery.
  • No stitches required.
  • Further adjustments can be made in the future to correct vision should the need arise.

How is LASIK surgery performed

  • 1.Local anaesthetic eye drops are applied to both eyes.
  • 2.The femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap on the surface of the cornea.
  • 3.The flap is gently lifted.
  • 4.The excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea. An average 3 diopter treatment needs less than 6 seconds of laser application.
  • 5.The flap is gently replaced and aligned back into its original position.
  • 6.The flap will heal naturally and no stitches are required.
LaserVision-Treatment-LASIK-How
LaserVision-FAQ-Main

Our focus is to achieve complete satisfaction with your LASIK eye surgery. All our patients are treated until discharge as part of the inclusive care plan. This includes 2 years of follow up and retreatments after your initial lasik procedure. Although you may be discharged, all our patients remain under our care and positively encourage patients to get in touch should problems from the laser procedure arise.

Our success with the LASIK eye procedure has been dependent on personalised patient care and we believe this is paramount. All patients will see their surgeon at each visit as they are personally responsible for your care, giving assurance that you are receiving the best possible standard of care.

All our patients are carefully evaluated before undergoing corrective eye surgery to ensure they are good candidates for a LASIK eye procedure. During the consultation, the team (led by your surgeon) will ask about your medical and surgical history and undertake a comprehensive eye examination.

In the eye examination, your surgeon will evaluate your vision and look for signs of eye infections, inflammation, dry eyes, large pupils, high eye pressure and other eye-health conditions. They will also measure your cornea, noting the shape, contour, thickness and any irregularities. This helps them to assess whether you can undergo the procedure safely and evaluate which areas of your cornea need reshaping. They will calculate and determine the precise amount of tissue to remove from your cornea.

If you wear contact lenses, which can change the shape of your cornea, you’ll need to completely stop wearing them and wear only your glasses for at least one week before your evaluation and surgery. The team will provide specific guidelines depending on your situation and how long you’ve been a contact lens wearer.

Before laser eye surgery, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure, alternative treatment options, what to expect before and after surgery, and answer any questions you may have.

LASIK eye surgery is usually completed in 10 minutes or less and does not require anesthesia. During the laser procedure, you lie on your back in a reclining chair. You may be given medicine to help you relax. After numbing drops are placed in your eye, an instrument is gently positioned to hold your eyelids open.

The femtosecond laser creates a small hinged flap which is carefully lifted to allow the structure of the cornea to be reshaped. Short pulses of energy from the Schwind Amaris 1050RS laser remodel the surface to the desired profile. Finally, the flap is gently positioned back into place and will heal without the need for stitches.
The vast majority of patients will have both eyes treated on the same day.

You may feel a gentle pressure during the flap creation process which usually lasts about 30 seconds.

The vast majority of patients have no pain but some may feel a little grittiness in the eyes for a couple of days.

You will be given a set of eye drops to take at home that vastly reduce the risk of infection and inflammation. These generally last for the first 4 weeks but some patients may require lubrication drops for the first few months. Although you will be able to see immediately after LASIK surgery, your vision will improve over time. Whilst you should be legal to drive the next day, it may take between 4 and 12 weeks after your laser eye surgery before your eye heals and your vision stabilises. Your doctor will ensure that you are progressing normally at a series of planned follow-up appointments. It might be a few weeks before you can start to use cosmetics around your eyes again.

You might also have to wait several weeks before resuming strenuous contact sports or swimming.

Although complications are rare, it should not be forgotten that laser eye surgery is a surgical procedure. No procedure is risk-free but steps are taken throughout the process to keep these risks to a minimum

The vast majority of patients who need LASIK surgery in both eyes will have both eyes treated on the same day.

LASIK eye surgery is considered to be one of the safest laser eye procedures available. Comprehensive screening of our patients means that surgery can only be performed on eyes which have been deemed suitable. The experience of our clinical team minimises the small associated risks of lasik surgery which include dry eyes, haloes, glare and under or over-correction.

Your eye doctor will ensure that you are fully informed of all potential risks prior to laser eye treatment. Our team of consultant ophthalmologists are dual-trained in cornea and refractive surgery to ensure that you receive the most effective care

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