Lasik

laser refractive eye surgery is a form of vision correction and involves reshaping the cornea to correct a refractive error. This occurs when the eye is abnormally shaped and can’t focus light directly on the retina at the back of the eye, resulting in out-of-focus, blurry vision. Examples of refractive error include short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia) and astigmatism. Astigmatism commonly occurs together with short- or long-sightedness.

If you meet the following basic criteria, you may be eligible for laser eye surgery. We also offer a free, no-obligation assessment where we will comprehensively check your eyes and discuss your vision correction options.

Age	Between 18 and 35 years old
Vision problem	long-sightedness and astigmatism will be corrected
Stable vision	Glasses prescription has remained the same for at least 12 months
General eye health*	Good
General health	Good, not pregnant or breastfeeding

The Procedure

To be suitable for LASIK, a patient needs to have a normally shaped cornea and adequate corneal thickness. Patients with thin or irregularly shaped corneas are not suitable for this procedure – ASLA may be recommended for vision correction in these situations.

Although LASIK and ASLA produce exactly the same results, LASIK patients tend to have a faster and more comfortable recovery. The correction to their vision is immediate, although it may take a few weeks to completely stabilise.

What to expect on the day of surgery?

Immediately before your procedure, you will receive anaesthetic (numbing) eye drops and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Patients can also choose to have a sedative to help them relax. After allowing the sedative to take effect (around 30 to 45 mins), you will be taken into the procedure room and asked to lie down on a surgical bed. The procedure itself will vary depending on which type of surgery is being performed (e.g. whether one or two lasers are used).

If you have had a sedative, you will be given time to recover before being discharged. You will also be given protective glasses and eye drops to go home with. A follow-up appointment for later that same day or the next day will be scheduled before you leave.

RECOVERY

You can return home shortly after leaving the laser suite (once the sedative has worn off), but must be accompanied by a friend or family member because your vision will be slightly blurry.

You will be given protective glasses and eye drops (antibiotics and steroids) to go home with. Before you leave, a follow-up appointment will be made for later that same day or the next day. Using artificial tears for at least a week after surgery is generally recommended. Remember to bring your eye drops to your post-operative consultation, where your eyesight will be tested to check the results of the surgery. Patients are able to return to most of their normal daily activities the day after surgery.