Fees and financing

Results

One eye or both ?

How long will it take for my sight to recover ?

What is the follow-up ?

What are the risks ?

Does refractive surgery hurt ?

What anaesthetic is used ?

Will I be bruised afterwards ?

Is vision correction permanent ?

What if I have strong glasses ?

What if I only have weak glasses ?

What if I am long sighted ?

What if I have astigmatism ?

What if I wear reading glasses ?

What happens on the day of laser treatment ?

Fees and financing

What Does Refractive Surgery Cost?

1) Initial consultation: £150 refunded with surgery

2) Lasik and Lasek Wavefront Laser: £1895/eye 12 months interest free credit available

3) Lensectomy: £2800/eye

4) Phakic intraocular lens: £3000/eye

Financing may be available - please call my office

Results

The vast majority of patients can look forward to either freedom from distance glasses or contact lenses, or at least greatly reduced dependence on them. If your objectives are not met by the first procedure, a second or enhancement procedure can often be performed to provide additional correction. Most people do not need an enhancement but it may be necessary, especially if you have a large prescription.

One eye or both?

If you are having Lasik or a lens implant you may choose to have either one eye corrected at a time or both eyes simultaneously. There are advantages and disadvantages of both approaches which I will discuss with you during the consultation. Lasek is usually done one eye at a time as vision is slower to recover than with the other technologies.

How long will it take for my sight to recover?

The time is takes for your vision to return to normal depends mostly on the type of treatment you have had although some patients are quicker than others. Lasik and lens implants recover very quickly - your sight may be excellent within a day or so although there is often ongoing improvement for weeks or even months after the treatment. Lasek recovers more slowly than either technologies, typically requiring 2 - 4 weeks.

What is the follow-up?

This depends on your treatment, for example after Lasik there is a review during the first week and again about a month later.

What are the risks?

The vast majority of patients do not experience any complications. However as with any form of surgery there are possible risks and side effects that you must take into account before deciding to proceed. I will discuss this subject with you in detail when you have your assessment. You will be asked to read and sign a consent form before your surgery. I am always prepared to answer your questions and to discuss any anxieties you may have.

Does refractive surgery hurt?

Refractive surgery procedures are painless although you may briefly feel a little pressure. You may have a scratchy feeling for a while afterwards. The exception is Lasek which may be uncomfortable for 1 - 3 days afterwards although I provide anaesthetic eyedrops which are very effective.

What anaesthetic is used?

Lasik and Lasek are always done with anaesthetic eyedrops whilst you are awake. No injections or general (sleeping) anaesthetics are needed. Lens implants may be done either local or general anaesthetic.

Will I be bruised afterwards?

No.

Is vision correction permanent?

Yes. Once your eyes have healed the correction is permanent. Remember that your glasses or contact lens prescription should be stable before vision correction. If the prescription is changing it means your eye is still growing and some change in the focus of your eye may occur after the treatment because of this.

What if I have strong glasses?

The range of Lasik is up to about 10 dioptres of combined short sight and astigmatism and 6 dioptres of combined long sight and astigmatism, so it treats most people. Read how the eye works for more information. Check your glasses prescription - add the amount of 'sphere' to the amount of 'cyl': if these two numbers add up to more than Lasik will treat, you will need a  lens implant.

What if I only have weak glasses?

If you have a small glasses prescription you may choose Lasek which is less 'surgical' or 'interventional' than Lasik. However Lasik and lens implants are in other respects just as effective for treating small glasses prescriptions.

What if I am long sighted?

Lasik corrects up to about 6 dioptres of combined long sight and astigmatism, lens implants an unlimited amount. Read How the Eye Works for more information.

What if I have astigmatism?

Lasik and Lasek correct astigmatism very well up to about 3 dioptres. Lens implants correct almost any amount. Read 'How the Eye Works' for more information.

What if I wear reading glasses?

It is possible to correct presbyopia with refractive surgery. The best technology is usually lensectomy. Lasik and Lasek work in a some of cases. Presbyopia after cataract surgery is also correctible.

What happens on the day of laser treatment?

It is important that you do not wear contact lenses before your treatment. This is because contact lenses often cause subtle changes in the shape of your cornea.

I ask ladies not to wear eye make-up or perfume as these may interfere with the laser. I will explain the procedure beforehand so that you know what to expect. Your eye(s) will be anaesthetised with drops (no injections are involved) and you will be awake during the procedure. You will lie on a comfortable couch and will be asked to look at an aiming light from the laser. This is all you need to do. Do not worry about blinking accidentally - a small eyelid prop will prevent this from happening. The procedure takes about ten minutes. You will not feel any pain although there may be a brief feeling of pressure.

If you have Lasek, I will put a contact lens on your eye after the treatment. Please leave it in place - it is an extended wear soft contact lens that does not need to be changed or cleaned on a daily basis. We will remove it for you a few days later. Lasik does not require a contact lens afterwards.

You may relax in a chair before leaving. You will not be able to drive home so please bring someone with you or alternatively we will arrange a taxi. You will be given eyedrops with instructions on how to use them and a follow-up appointment.

Your vision will be blurred for a while. Lasik recovers in about a day, Lasek takes longer. Lasik may feel scratchy and your eye(s) may water for a day or so, Lasek is usually uncomfortable for 1 - 3 days: you will be given anaesthetic eyedrops to help.

You should rest as much as possible for a day or so and try to take a few days off work. I recommend that you avoid reading, using the computer or watching the TV for a day after Lasik.

You may shower and wash your face as normal. When drying off, try to pat around the eye. If you do get soap in your eye, do not rub it! Just keep it closed until the stinging stops.

The arrangements are different if you are having a lens implant.