Your Guide to Laser Eye Surgery

Lasik Laser eye surgery is a common and popular vision correction procedure which corrects refractive errors including short-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. This blog is designed to guide you with essential information to help you prepare for your laser eye surgery.
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Lady having her eyes tested with an optician wearing grey jumper

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery has been performed since 1987 and is a vision correction or refractive procedure which reduces or more commonly eliminates the need for corrective eyewear. The procedure uses lasers to make microscopic alterations in the corneal tissue at surface of the eye changing the overall power of the eye.

In most cases, life-changing results are possible following laser vision correction, and a person will either never need to wear glasses or lenses again or will need them much less frequently than before the surgery*.

If you are considering laser eye surgery, continue reading for more information about the different procedures available at Centre for Sight and performed by our laser vision correction specialists.

*Applies generally for distance vision. With age (40’s onwards) and hardening of the crystalline lens inside the eye, focus at near ranges can be difficult and reading glasses may be required. In some cases, hardening of the lens can change the overall power of the eye resulting in slight changes where glasses may again be required.

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Centre for Sight surgeons have performed Laser eye surgery since 1990 and introduced Lasik to the UK in 1994 and IntraLasik in 2004. At Centre for Sight LASIK eye surgery is the most frequently performed laser procedure. The ‘Intra’ component denotes the use of the revolutionary Intralase iFS Femtosecond laser (Lasik technology) to create the highly precise and micro-thin flap at the front of the eye which is required to perform LASIK. The ‘LASIK’ portion is an abbreviation of Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. This signifies making the power change on the cornea under a micro-thin flap. Using an individualised treatment plan prepared by the treating Lasik surgeon, the Excimer laser is used to accurately re-sculpt the surface of the cornea, treating the overall prescription as well as correcting fine abnormalities to enhance visual outcomes with patients often obtaining better vision than they had with glasses and soft contact lenses!

Laser vision correction alternatives to the LASIK procedure include LASEK, Transepithelial Photorefractive keratectomy (Transepi-PRK) and Epi-LASIK. At Centre for Sight, these procedures may be advised over Lasik in instances e.g. if there is an abnormality of the corneal epithelium, thin cornea, low levels of correction and corneal scarring or surface irregularity).

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Types Of Laser Eye Surgey

LASIK/IntraLASIK

This procedure is the safest and most precise vision correction option, with the longest track record available in the world today. It uses a precise Laser to create the flap with computer controlled precision and accuracy.

TransEpi PRK

Another surface laser eye surgery procedure often recommended for those with minor vision correction needs and corneal abnormalities. This single-step, ‘no-touch’ process uses a laser to remove the epithelial layer and reshape the cornea for improved vision.

LASEK

This procedure is often recommended for those with minor vision correction needs and corneal abnormalities. Unlike TransEpi PRK, alcohol loosens the epithelial layer, which is replaced after the cornea is reshaped for vision correction.

Supracor LASIK

This LASIK procedure creates a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser and reshapes the cornea. Typically performed on the non-dominant eye, it is combined with regular LASIK in the dominant eye for optimal vision correction.

Laser Eye Surgery Procedure

We usually operate on both eyes on the same day. However, as a safety precaution Centre for Sight ensures that each eye is treated as a separate procedure with separately sterilised instruments and new disposable instruments.

Am I Suitable?

Find out if you are suitable for Laser Eye Surgery by taking our short self test quiz.

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Sources & References

  1. Pallikaris IG, Papatzanaki ME, Stathi EZ, Frenschock O, Georgiadis A. Laser in situ keratomileusis. Lasers Surg Med. 1990;10(5):463-8. PubMed PMID: 2233101. PubMed
  2. “Education Education Education” 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3rd January 2019. OptometryToday
  3. Dry Eyes And LASIK. Marilyn Haddrill with contributions by Robert L. Epstein, M. All About Vision