Laser refractive eye surgery is a form of vision correction and involves reshaping the cornea to correct a refractive error. This occurs when the eye is abnormally shaped and can’t focus light directly on the retina at the back of the eye, resulting in out-of-focus, blurry vision. Examples of refractive error include short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), age-related long-sightedness (presbyopia) and astigmatism. Astigmatism commonly occurs together with short- or long-sightedness.
If you meet the following basic criteria, you may be eligible for laser eye surgery. We also offer a free, no-obligation assessment where we will comprehensively check your eyes and discuss your vision correction options.
Age Between 18 and 35 years old Vision problem long-sightedness and astigmatism will be corrected Stable vision Glasses prescription has remained the same for at least 12 months General eye health* Good General health Good, not pregnant or breastfeeding
Your ophthalmologist will consider the general health of your eyes, the strength of your glasses prescription (i.e. your degree of refractive error), if you have a history of eye problems (e.g. dry eye, scarring or thinning of the cornea) and if you have previously had a serious eye injury.
Who it’s used for?
The Procedure:
To be suitable for LASIK, a patient needs to have a normally shaped cornea and adequate corneal thickness. Patients with thin or irregularly shaped corneas are not suitable for this procedure – ASLA may be recommended for vision correction in these situations.
Although LASIK and ASLA produce exactly the same results, LASIK patients tend to have a faster and more comfortable recovery. The correction to their vision is immediate, although it may take a few weeks to completely stabilise.
LASIK surgery day:
Immediately before your procedure, you will receive anaesthetic (numbing) eye drops and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Patients can also choose to have a sedative to help them relax. After allowing the sedative to take effect (around 30 to 45 mins), you will be taken into the procedure room and asked to lie down on a surgical bed. The procedure itself will vary depending on which type of surgery is being performed (e.g. whether one or two lasers are used).
If you have had a sedative, you will be given time to recover before being discharged. You will also be given protective glasses and eye drops to go home with. A follow-up appointment for later that same day or the next day will be scheduled before you leave.
You can expect to be in the laser suite for between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of procedure, and in the day surgery for approximately 2 hours.
About Dr V Praneeth (MBBS DNB FAEH) Medical Director, Consultant Cornea, Cataract & Refractive surgeon Dr. Praneeth Vaddadi completed his basic medical education from Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal. He then