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Laser eye surgery in London & Herts: 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 having laser eye surgery in London or Hertfordshire, have a read of our content below to find out more about the different types, what’s involved, suitability, recovery and our prices.

Get in touch about laser eye surgery

100

years

of combined eye
surgery experience

45k

plus

eye surgeries
completed

550

plus

lectures nationally
and internationally

Considering laser eye surgery in London or Hertfordshire?

Make an enquiry today to get more information about the procedure.

What is laser eye surgery?

Types of laser eye surgery

What is the process?

Who is eligible?

Recovery

How much does it cost?

Ask the surgeons

Reviews

FAQ

Clinic locations

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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 at 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 quoted below are per eye and include your initial consultation and follow-up appointments.

LASIK

£1975 to £2475 per eye

LASEK/PRK

£1975 to £2475 per eye

LASER Blended Vision

£4950 both eyes

LASER presbymax

£2750 per eye

0% Interest Finance Options

We offer 0% APR/interest finance options, allowing you to spread the cost of laser eye surgery over 6, 12 or 24 months. A 10% deposit is required, after which the remaining balance will be split across your chosen time period.

Get in touch to find out more about our flexible pricing options and how we can make the cost of laser eye surgery more manageable for you.

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What are my treatment options

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Laser eye surgery: 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, London laser eye surgery clinic

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, London laser eye surgery clinic

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, London laser eye surgery clinic

Meet Allon Barsam

FAQs covered in this video:

Does laser eye surgery work?
Does laser eye surgery hurt?
What’s the difference between LASIK and LASEK?
What are our success rates for laser eye surgery?
Can you have laser eye surgery if you’re long sighted?
Can I have laser eye surgery for myopia?
Is there an age limit for laser eye surgery?
Can I have laser eye surgery with dry eyes?
What are the top risks of laser eye surgery?
How much does laser eye surgery cost?

Laser eye surgery FAQs

Is laser eye surgery safe?

Is laser eye surgery worth it?

How long will it take to recover?

When can I get laser eye surgery done?

What does the laser eye surgery cost include?

Laser eye surgery clinics across London & Hertfordshire

We have a number of clinic locations in London and Hertfordshire. This includes our central London clinic close to Harley Street, our Hertfordshire clinic in Elstree, Moorfields Eye Hospital or our clinic in Chiswick, West London.

Central London

Our Eye Surgery Clinic in Central London

Our laser eye surgery clinic on New Cavendish Street in the heart of London, nestled between Harley Street and Wimpole Street, combines the most advanced…

Central London

Our Eye Surgery Clinic in Central London

Our laser eye surgery clinic on New Cavendish Street in the heart of London, nestled between Harley Street and Wimpole Street, combines the most advanced…

OCL Vision's eye surgery clinic in Elstree, Herts - reception

Elstree, Hertfordshire

Our Eye Surgery Clinic in Elstree, Hertfordshire

Our state-of-the-art clinic in Centennial Park, Elstree, Hertfordshire, brings Harley Street care to those living in locations in North London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, such…

Elstree, Hertfordshire

Our Eye Surgery Clinic in Elstree, Hertfordshire

Chiswick, West London

Our Eye Surgery Clinic in Chiswick, West London

Our laser eye surgery clinic in Chiswick brings world-class care to those living in locations in West London, Surrey, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire such as Guildford,…

Chiswick, West London

Our Eye Surgery Clinic in Chiswick, West London

Our laser eye surgery clinic in Chiswick brings world-class care to those living in locations in West London, Surrey, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire such as Guildford,…

laser eye surgery and cataract surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital

Moorfields Private - Romesh Angunawela

Laser Eye, Lens & Retinal Surgery at Moorfields Private

OCL Vision was established by some of the UK's leading eye surgeons. Some of our surgeons are also consultants at Moorfields Eye Hospital where they…

Moorfields Private - Romesh Angunawela

Laser Eye, Lens & Retinal Surgery at Moorfields Private

OCL Vision was established by some of the UK's leading eye surgeons. Some of our surgeons are also consultants at Moorfields Eye Hospital where they…

King Edward VII Hospital

Our Eye Surgery Clinic at King Edward VII Hospital

OCL Vision’s world-class care, diagnosis and treatment is available at our eye clinic in King Edward VII hospital.

King Edward VII Hospital

Our Eye Surgery Clinic at King Edward VII Hospital

OCL Vision’s world-class care, diagnosis and treatment is available at our eye clinic in King Edward VII hospital.

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 London or Herts laser eye surgery over high street providers.

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