The Laser Eye Surgery Procedure
Considering laser eye surgery? This guide walks you through the entire process, from your initial consultation to the procedure itself and what to expect during recovery, helping you feel prepared every step of the way.
The Consultation: What to Expect
If you are a contact lens wearer, we ask you to stop wearing your contacts for at least one week if they’re soft lenses, and four weeks if they’re hard/gas permeable lenses. This helps us to accurately assess your eye and the degree of correction required.
During the evaluation, we shall test your vision with and without your glasses. You will also be checked on a machine called an autorefractor. Other tests include:
- Contrast sensitivity
- Corneal topography (the shape and curvature of your cornea) – using 4 different methods
- Corneal thickness
- Mechanical strength of the cornea
- Eye pressures
We’ll also measure the way a wavefront of light passes through the cornea and the crystalline lens using a method known as aberrometry.
The Procedure: How Long Does it Take?
The procedure is pain-free due to large amounts of aesthetic drops which are used to completely numb the eye. It usually takes less than 15 minutes for both eyes. However, in order to prepare you for the procedure and ensure recovery you will be at the centre for 2-3 hours.
The Recovery
Immediately after surgery: your eyes will be protected with dark glasses with an elastic band to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes. You’ll be seated in a reclining chair with your eyes closed. Your eyes will be examined a little while later to ensure you have had an improvement in vision and that the corneal flaps are fine. It may seem like you’re looking through a fog at first, but this will clear over the next few hours. Before you leave, we’ll give you something to eat and a well-earned cup of tea or coffee!
You’ll need to arrange to have someone to take you home as you won’t be able to drive and you may also feel drowsy from being sedated.
Aftercare: We shall provide you with drops and clear verbal and written instructions on how to use them, along with a list of Dos and Don’ts. A day or two later we shall examine your eyes again and after that you will have a number of follow up appointments to check how your eyes are healing.
Common Questions
There’s a good chance we’ll be able to suggest other treatments based on your specific eye issue. Your surgeon will talk you through the options during your consultation.
We have three branches in the UK, located in London, Surrey and Sussex. To find your nearest Centre For Sight, see our Contact page.
Most health insurance companies do not cover laser eye surgery where the purposes for treatment are elective vision correction.
At Centre for Sight, our prices are always transparent with no hidden extras. We also have finance options to make your surgery more affordable. To learn more, see our page on pricing.