LaserVision

Treatment at a glance

<5 mins per eye

Numbing drops

2 days

Long term

Safe and effective

What is LASEK?

The principle of LASEK is fundamentally the same as LASIK in the respect that it involves the use of a specialist laser to precisely reshape the curvature of the cornea (the dome-shaped, clear window at the front of the eye).

However, the procedure differs from LASIK by gently moving the surface epithelial cells aside with an alcohol based solution as opposed to forming a flap.

LASEK is becoming a popular method of vision correction for people wanting to rid themselves of glasses or contact lens, and is frequently recommended to patients who visit our clinics in Guildford, London, Manchester, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Winchester and Woking. 

LaserVision-Treatment-LASEK-What

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, hyperopia and astigmatism, light entering the eye is bent incorrectly and focused away from the retina to 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 is estimated that over 32 million procedures have been performed worldwide.

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, hyperopia and astigmatism, light entering the eye is bent incorrectly and focused away from the retina to 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 is estimated that over 32 million procedures have been performed worldwide.

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Treatment Benefits Benefits

Benefits of LASEK Surgery

  • Quick, painless procedure, minimal discomfort, lasting less than 5 minutes per eye
  • Excellent results, with patients often seeing well within a few days of recovery
  • Clinically proven treatment – Research indicates that 97% of patients achieve their desired vision after LASEK treatment and complete satisfaction upon recovery
  • No flap is created during surgery meaning it is suitable for patients with dry eyes, thin corneas or those who participate in contact sports
  • Surgery is very comfortable with minimal discomfort involved
  • No stitches required
  • Further adjustments can be made in the future to correct vision should the need arise

How is LASEK performed?

  • 1.Local anaesthetic eye drops are applied to both eyes
  • 2.A solution of alcohol is used to gently separate the cells from the surface layer of the cornea
  • 3.The cells layer are gently rolled aside
  • 4.The Schwind Amaris 1050RS is then used to reshape the cornea. An average 3 diopter treatment needs less than 6 seconds of laser application
  • 5.The surface cells are gently replaced and aligned back into its original position
  • 6.A contact lens is placed on the surface to act as a bandage and no stitches are required
LaserVision-Treatment-LASEK-How
LaserVision-FAQ-Main

Surgery at LaserVision is led by your personally assigned doctor. Our clinical team will perform a thorough evaluation of your suitability for vision correction surgery. This will include a comprehensive eye examination looking for signs of dry eye, large pupils, high eye pressure and other ocular-health conditions. Detailed analysis of your cornea will allow your doctor 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

Wearing contact lenses before your consultation can influence our measurements. You will be guided by a patient coordinator if we require you to pause contact lens wear for a week or two in order to examine the eyes in their natural state.

Our focus is to achieve complete satisfaction. 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 treatment. Although you may be discharged, all our patients remain under our care and positively encourage patients to get in touch should problems arise.

Our success 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 so you are safe in the knowledge that you are receiving the best possible standard of care.

Your procedure will be performed by the same consultant ophthalmologist who assessed your eyes at the initial consultation. A team of optometrists and nurses will also be present to assist and provide any support that you require.

LASEK surgery is usually completed in 10 minutes or less. During the 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. A special well is placed on your eye for the solution to stay in place for 30 seconds. The solution separates the surface epithelial cells from the stroma, and allows direct access to the structural collagen of the cornea to be reshaped with the Schwind Amaris 1050RS laser.

With each pulse of the laser beam, a tiny amount of corneal tissue is removed. After reshaping the cornea, the surface cells are gently positioned back into place. A bandage contact lens is then placed on the eye to protect the surface during the healing phase. The vast majority of patients who need LASEK surgery in both eyes will have both eyes treated on the same day.

LASEK surgery is incredibly comfortable. Most patients only report feeling some slight pressure in the eye whilst it is being performed.

As LASEK surgery involves treating the surface of the eye, there may be some discomfort in the first 24-48 hours. This is entirely normal and any sensitivity can be managed with numbing drops and oral analgesia.

Patients undergoing LASEK procedures often find that the LASEK recovery process is slower than with LASIK and can result in more discomfort. The eyes may feel irritated during the first few days afterwards. Also, with LASEK compared with LASIK, it often takes longer to recover good vision; perhaps between four and seven days.

For Lasek aftercare, you will be given a set of eye drops 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 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 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 reduce these risks to a minimum.

LASEK eye surgery is considered to be one of the safest 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 laser surgery which include dry eyes, haloes, glare and under or over-correction.

Your doctor will ensure that you are fully informed of all potential risks prior to treatment. However, in the unlikely event that you experience a complication, 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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Choosing the right vision correction clinic for your surgery is paramount. This is a life changing procedure after all, and you need to have complete trust in your surgeon and care team of professionals.

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Choosing the right vision correction clinic for your surgery is paramount. This is a life changing procedure after all, and you need to have complete trust in your surgeon and care team of professionals.

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