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Our goal is to reduce your dependency on glasses and contact lenses. Traditional LASIK has a proven track record and is now the most favoured procedure for correcting a wide range of correction. IntraLASIK in the experience of ourselves and others provides better visual outcomes. While our results are extremely good, we realistically make a commitment to get you to a level of 6/12 to 6/10 or better which is the standard required for driving. This level of vision successfully reduces your dependency on optical aids and enables you to watch television and play sports. In reality more than 95% of our patients obtain 6/6 (20/20) vision. Your consultant will discuss what can be achieved in your individual care at the time of your consultation.

The first LASIK procedures were performed in 1989. Further development took place in the early 1990s and over 40 million eyes have had treatment without any long-term negative consequences. The procedure has received approval as a safe option by the stringent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA. However they advise that consumers should search for a surgeon with expertise in the cornea and research the technology well. The FDA has also approved Intralase for use (www.fda.gov/cdrh/lasik).

Any change that takes place following treatment usually occurs in the first six to twelve weeks. From our experience, having specialist knowledge of corneal diseases and having performed LASIK since 1995, we believe that patients, who are appropriately selected, investigated and treated by an experienced and well-trained corneal surgeon and within the correct guidelines, will not experience any long-term detrimental effect.

What happens when I get older, will my vision change?

IntraLASIK corrects the eye and makes the refraction normal. If we are in, or when we get to our mid-forties, the fine focusing mechanism of the lens within our eye does not function as well as the lens becoming inelastic (presbyopia). As a result we need reading glasses or a bifocal segment in our glasses. Therefore it is quite probable you will need glasses for reading fine print when you reach your mid-forties, even if you were able to read without glasses before surgery. Also in your 6th or 7th decade, cataract formation may alter your vision and change the power of your eye.

Are there risks in having the procedure?

The chance of having a complication that permanently reduces vision has been documented to be less than 1%. In good surgical hands at a reputable centre, the chances are considerably lower. To our knowledge there have not been any reports of patients going permanently blind from IntraLASIK. Risks of infection, dry eye and night vision disturbance are discussed on the following page.

At Centre for Sight we have strict protocols for the care and maintenance of all equipment. All our surgeons and nurses undergo rigorous training and follow strict protocols and procedures. By adopting such stringent guidelines we have been able to minimise risk and have achieved consistently good outcomes.

What if I am not suitable?

Depending on the health and status of your eyes, alternatives may be suggested by our surgical team. Options include phakic implants (Artisan/Veriseyes or ICL), PRELEX or Refractive lensectomy. We are a fully fledged eye surgical centre and offer a variety of treatments for both vision correction and other eye conditions.

Do you have Easy Payment Plans?

Yes we do, including interest free options. Please contact our Refractive Administrators for further and the most up to date information.

Is the procedure covered by Health Insurance?

Most health insurance companies DO NOT cover LASIK surgery.

What complications can occur with IntraLASIK?

IntraLASIK provides a measure of safety well beyond traditional LASIK and, in good qualified hands, serious flap (and visually significant) complications, just do not occur.

Infection is RARE in all laser eye surgical procedures. Centre for Sight has always treated each eye with separate instrumentation and continue to do so with Intralase to decrease the risk of infection further. IntraLASIK also uses one time use disposable instruments, further improving this level of safety.

Dry Eye
All laser patients develop some degree of dry eye which improves over time. During the first few months following surgery, those affected will have to use artificial tear preparations frequently. Patients likely to be severely affected are identified at the time of consultation and either treated first for dry eye or declined for surgery. IntraLASIK has been shown to induce less dry eye than bladed LASIK - yet another advantage.

Overcorrection, Undercorrection and Regression
This is a possibility, however uncommon with IntraLASIK. If it does occur, an enhancement or retreatment may be necessary 3 months after the procedure. To reassure you, this occurs rarely at Centre for Sight and, for shortsightedness, less than 1% of our patients have required an enhancement with IntraLASIK. Should this be required, there is no additional charge.

Night Vision Disturbances
At Centre for Sight we go through considerable checks to avoid this and our surgeons have measured pupil sizes since first perorming LASIK in 1995. We also check for aberrations where indicated and evaluate corneal shape. We suggest the optimal treatment for each patient individually.

All patients will experience some night vision disturbance soon after the procedure which will improve with time, rapidly decreasing after two weeks.

We at Centre for Sight are proud of our long track record of safety, achieved through very careful patient selection and appropriate treatment choice to suit the individual. We are proud to be considered a centre of excellence, setting standards for the best in laser vision correction. A testament to our expertise is the degree to which international eye surgeons and the ophthalmic industry seek our expert advice. We also provide second opinions to patients and employ a variety of techniques for correction.

What does the Centre for Sight Laser Vision Correction Programme cover?

We have three fees depending on the type of IntraLASIK correction procedure your surgeon considers suitable for you.

Each has a single global fee which does not vary depending on your prescription, and includes the following services:

Do eye surgeons have IntraLASIK?

Yes - we have treated numerous doctors and their relatives as well as eye surgeons, including one of our own - Saj Khan. We are proud to be the choice of doctors and other eye surgeons.