Laser eye surgery treatment options, process, and cost

Laser eye surgery is a quick and painless procedure to restore vision so that glasses or lenses are no longer needed. If you’re considering laser eye surgery have a read of our content below to find out more about the different types, what’s involved and if you’re suitable for surgery.

If you have further questions or would like to speak to one of the team on options that are available for you, please call us on 0203 369 2020, or request a call back.

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years

of combined eye
surgery experience

30k

plus

eye surgeries
completed

550

plus

lectures nationally
and internationally

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a term used to describe a collection of procedures. It commonly corrects short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hypermetropia), astigmatism and reading vision problems (presbyopia).

Different laser eye surgery techniques are used to correct each condition. These corrections are achieved through the use of a laser which reshapes the cornea (the transparent part) and adjusts the focus of the eye. Laser eye surgery in our Central London clinic is a brief procedure and is entirely painless due to the application of anaesthetic drops.

Types of laser eye surgery

There are several different types of laser eye surgery techniques due to the varying conditions treated.

The most common type of laser eye surgery is LASIK, with over 90% of patients being suitable. A flap is created in the cornea and reshaped underneath to the correct prescription. It is most suited to treating long & short-sightedness (Myopia & Hyperopia) and Astigmatism.

LASEK is an alternative to LASIK for patients who have thinner corneas. The main difference with the procedure is a flap is not created so reshaping takes place on the surface which results in recovery time taking longer.

Other types include SMILE, presbymax and blended vision. The best choice for you will depend on your own individual eye health, medical history and personal preferences. You can read more information on the different types of laser eye surgery and which technique may be best suited to you here.

What is the process of laser eye surgery?

1. Consultation.

We’ll take you through the process of laser eye surgery step by step and explain the potential complications to help you to weigh up the risks and benefits in order to make an informed decision regarding laser eye surgery.

2. Treatment plan

Our consultants will tailor a bespoke laser eye treatment plan just for you, based on your current eye sight and personal needs.

3. Preparing for surgery

Our dedicated team of consultants, nurses and patient co-ordinators will take you through our laser eye surgery pre-op process ensuring all your questions are answered and you’re totally at ease.

4. The Procedure

Using a combination of the Zeimer Z8 femtosecond laser and the Schwind Amaris laser, your surgeon will correct your vision. The procedure is not painful as anaesthetic drops are used to completely numb the surface of the eye. Both eyes are treated at the same time and the whole laser eye surgery typically takes around 10-15 minutes from start to finish.

5. Recovery

If you are about to have or have just had laser eye surgery you’ll want to know how to look after your eyes immediately after surgery to get the best results from your investment. We will let you know what to do, for example avoiding rubbing your eyes, avoiding contact with water, staying away from dirt and dust and wearing sunglasses.

6. Follow up consult

After your laser eye surgery, we’ll support you and review you again on a number of visits to make sure your eyes are healing well and that you’re getting on well with your new HD vision.

Who is eligible for laser eye surgery?

While most people are eligible for laser eye surgery, there are a few exceptions:

Under 18s – it is not advised that people under 18 have laser eye surgery as their eyes are still changing
Pregnant women – Pregnancy can affect eyesight, so women are advised to wait until after they have given birth before presenting themselves for surgery.
Your prescription – Your prescription should be stable, ideally unchanged within the last two years, to ensure that the surgery will be effective. Laser eye surgery is most straightforward in a patient with a prescription in the normal range, usually between -10D and +7.25D.
Medical conditions – Some medical conditions can affect your suitability for laser eye surgery. Eye conditions like blepharitis leave you at a greater risk of infection, while general conditions like diabetes and epilepsy may render you unsuitable for this particular treatment if they are not under control. If the condition is well-managed however, you may be fine, so always seek advice.

Find out more about suitability for laser eye surgery here

Recovery after laser eye surgery

Your eyes will start healing as soon as the procedure is over and you should see the results of your vision improvement immediately. You will be able to see things much more accurately but there may be a little blurriness shortly after surgery while your eyes stabilise so it’s important to arrange someone to meet you following surgery.

After 24- 48 hours the majority of patients are fully recovered and able to go about their usual day to day activities but this can vary depending on the type of laser eye surgery undergone.

Read more here to find out more about recovery after surgery and common questions asked.

How much does laser eye surgery cost?

The costs below are both eyes and include an initial consultation and follow-up appointments.

LASIK

£3950, or £148 over 24 months

LASIK for complex prescriptions

£5000, or £188 over 24 months

LASEK (advanced surface ablation)

£3950 or £148 over 24 months

Laser Blended Vision for Reading Vision

£5000, or £188 over 24 months

Finance Options/Interest Free Credit

We also offer 0% interest finance options making it easier to spread the cost of surgery over up to 24 months.

A minimum 10% deposit is required and the balance is split over your chosen monthly period of either 6, 10, 12, 18 or 24 months at a rate of 0% APR.

Get in touch to find out more about our flexible pricing options and how we can make it work for you.

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Ask the surgeons

What are the long term effects of laser eye surgery? The longest study is about 20 years and we know that those patients have generally been very safe and long-term safety has been excellent. Your laser eye surgery won’t last forever, just as a pair of glasses won’t last forever. That’s because the human eye continues to age and having laser eye surgery doesn’t stop that. So your prescription can change mildly over time, but the main changes occur in your mid to late 40s when your reading vision becomes an issue.

Romesh Angunawela

Director and founding surgeon of OCL Vision

Meet Romesh Angunawela

Does laser eye surgery hurt? The simple answer is no. We use anaesthetic eye drops to numb the eyes before the procedure, making it as painless as possible. There are certain bits of the procedure where you may be aware of what’s going on, for example in the LASIK procedure there is a bit of pressure, which lasts about 20 seconds – but I wouldn’t describe that as pain.

Ali Mearza

Director and founding surgeon of OCL Vision

Meet Ali Mearza

What are the risks of laser eye surgery? Laser eye surgery is one of the safest operations available today. We screen patients very thoroughly to try and reduce the risk to the lowest level possible. With modern technology, the risk of laser eye surgery is less than a lifetime of contact lens wear. However, risks do still occur. The most common risk is dry eye. There is always a very small risk of reduction of vision. This can be treated with further corrective surgery. The final risk of surgery relates to a problem with the surgery itself. We are confident in the ability of our surgeons to reduce this to the lowest level possible.

Allon Barsam

Director and founding surgeon of OCL Vision

Meet Allon Barsam

Why Choose OCL Vision for your laser eye surgery?

Our exceptional laser eye surgery results and 15 year aftercare package are just a few of the reasons to choose OCL Vision for your laser eye surgery over high street providers.

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