Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Eye Surgery

With up to 70 million successful procedures executed worldwide, laser eye surgery ranks among the most widely practiced elective surgeries today. It is also a safe procedure, widely regarded as being safer than contact lens wear.

Nevertheless, it is still okay to have a few things you may be concerned about just before you undergo laser eye surgery. Hopefully, the answers to the frequently asked questions below should be able to cover your concerns.

What Exactly is a Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is an elective surgery during which an excimer laser is used to correct imperfections in the shape of your cornea. These imperfections are the reason your eyes need lenses or glasses to focus light.

There are two types of laser eye surgery

• LASIK
• Surface treatments such as PRK and LASEK

During a LASIK laser eye surgery, a femtosecond laser creates a flap in your cornea using air bubbles before the excimer laser is used to change the shape of your cornea to improve your vision.  

During PRK or LASEK laser eye surgery, the layer covering your cornea is first removed for access to the cornea underneath. After reshaping the cornea with the excimer laser to improve your vision, a clear bandage contact lens is placed over the cornea for 6 days to allow the surface to heal.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Painful?

Not according to the majority who have undergone the procedure. Just before the surgery, you’ll receive aesthetic eye drops to help with any pain or discomfort. At the end of the surgery, you’ll likely not feel anything. PRK and LASEK can be sore on the first day especially but this is readily controlled with anaesthetic drops and ice.

How Long Does It Take?

Laser eye surgery takes only a few minutes to be completed. However, you may need to plan for an average of 90 minutes for the entire stay in the clinic on the day of surgery.

What Does It Cost to Operate on Both Eyes?

Laser surgery at the Wellington Eye Clinic costs €2500 per eye. 20% can be claimed back through the Med 1 tax form. This fee also covers your postoperative medication pack for the day of surgery, your postoperative appointments for 1 year and our lifetime warranty should you need an enhancement procedure in the future.

Does the Surgery Fail If I Don’t Keep My Eye Still?

Not exactly. The laser only releases a pulse if it has tracked the eye. It releases 500 pulses per second and the eye tracker works at 1000 samples per second. That means that the eye position is checked twice prior to any pulse being released.

Do I Have More Than One Laser Eye Surgery Option?

Of course. There are three types of laser eye surgery: LASEK (or PRK and other surface treatments), LASIK, and SMILE. LASIK is performed by using a femtosecond laser to create a flap in the cornea before it is reshaped. LASEK or PRK loosen the skin layer prior to corneal reshaping taking place.

We do not offer SMILE at the clinic at this time.

While the most common procedure is LASIK, the exact laser eye surgery you undergo would depend on your prescription and the nature of your cornea.

Can I Have More Than One Laser Eye Surgery?

Around 1% of patients on average require an enhancement or “fine-tuning” procedure. This is normally performed between 6 and 12 months after the initial procedure. On the odd occasion, someone may have a repeat surgery many years later.

What Age Must I Be To Have Laser Eye Surgery?

You need to be 18 years of age to have laser eye surgery. 

Are you considering getting laser eye surgery to help improve your vision and still have a few more questions about it? Get in touch today using the link below to book in for a consultation with a member of the Wellington Eye Clinic team.