CLEAR® stands for Corneal Lenticule Extraction for Advanced Refractive Correction. It’s a modern, flap-free laser vision correction procedure that treats short-sightedness (myopia) and astigmatism by creating a thin “lenticule” within the cornea and removing it through a tiny opening to reshape the eye and improve focus.

CLEAR® is primarily used to correct myopia and astigmatism in suitable patients, following a detailed clinical assessment.

LASIK typically involves creating a corneal flap before reshaping the cornea. CLEAR® is flapless and performed through a small incision, aiming to minimise disruption to the corneal surface while preserving corneal strength in eligible patients.

Both are lenticule-based procedures. CLEAR® is often described as a newer evolution with enhanced eye-tracking/alignment features, very low energy delivery, and added flexibility in planning—particularly helpful where astigmatism accuracy matters.

Treatment is typically around 5 minutes per eye, and the laser part itself is very brief (often under a minute)

CLEAR® is performed using numbing eye drops (no injections).

Your consultation includes a thorough suitability assessment and eye health checks (e.g., dry eye, pupil size, intraocular pressure, and corneal measurements). You’ll also discuss the safest, most appropriate options for your eyes and lifestyle.

Yes, if possible. Contact lenses can affect measurements, so you may be asked to pause lens wear for a period (often a week or two, depending on lens type) before testing.

After numbing drops, a device gently holds the eyelids open. A femtosecond laser creates the lenticule inside the cornea and a small access tunnel, then your surgeon removes the lenticule to achieve the planned correction—no stitches are typically required.

Most patients feel little to no discomfort because the eye is numbed with drops. The procedure is designed to be quick and gentle.

Most people report no pain, though some experience mild grittiness/irritation for a couple of days.

Many patients notice functional improvement within days, with vision continuing to stabilise over the following weeks.

Downtime is often around 24 hours, and many people return to normal daily activities quickly (your clinician will advise based on your eyes and healing).

Many patients are legal to drive the next day, but this depends on your vision meeting driving standards at your post-op check.

You’ll be given eye drops to reduce infection and inflammation risk (commonly used for the first few weeks). Some patients also use lubricating drops for longer. Follow-ups are scheduled to ensure healing is on track.

You may need to wait a few weeks before using cosmetics around the eyes and before resuming swimming or strenuous contact sports—your surgeon will give specific timings for you.

Commonly cited benefits of lenticule procedures like CLEAR®/SMILE® include flap-free treatment, short laser time, and a recovery profile that many patients find comfortable—plus suitability for many active lifestyles.

All surgery carries risk. Potential side effects can include dryness, haloes/glare, and under- or over-correction, though careful screening and tailored planning are used to minimise risk. Your surgeon will explain risks in detail before you proceed.

The correction is intended to be long-term, but eyesight can still change naturally over time (for example, reading vision often changes with age). Your suitability and expectations should be discussed during the consultation.

In most cases, both eyes are treated on the same day, if appropriate for you.

Our focus is to achieve complete satisfaction. All our patients are treated until discharge as part of the inclusive care plan. This includes an inclusive care plan with follow-up over 2 years and retreatments, if needed, as part of that plan.