Laser Eye Surgery Explained
Our digital landscape is often muddled with contradictory, marketing-led data. Instead, let us serve as your straightforward guide to everything Laser Eye Surgery.
Through concise and meaningful clinical insights, our mission is to replace any uncertainties with clear and impartial information, unique to your situation.
We aim to equip you to make your life-changing decision in complete confidence.
Looking for something specific? Browse here:
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser Eye Surgery is one of the most performed procedures to enhance quality of vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Whether you’re grappling with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or the visual distortions of astigmatism, or even early keratoconus, Laser Eye Surgery can be considered.
It can also now be used to correct the inevitable presbyopia (age-related long sightedness), when we begin to need reading glasses.
Did You Know?
- Over 35 years, Laser Eye Surgery has granted 30+ million lives freedom from dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
- Within 24 hours post-surgery, many patients can already see with the same (or better) level of clarity as they used to with glasses.
- Topography-guided corneal mapping is the pinnacle of laser eye surgery technology, used only at select clinics that have the necessary expertise and technology.
- The results of topography-guided / WaveFront Laser Eye Surgery often surpass glasses and contacts in quality of vision.
- Over the past decades, the necessity for freedom from glasses and contacts has skyrocketed through our ever-increasing reliance on digital devices.
- Every AccuVision patient receives a one-of-a-kind treatment plan, customised to their unique corneal topography and needs — resulting in a remarkably high satisfaction rate and visual outcome.
- Word of mouth from AccuVision Ambassadors delighted with their vision, ushers in over 90% of the patients we see.
Unsure About Your Specific Vision Condition?
Short Sightedness (Myopia)
If street signs are a blur but your phone isn’t, you might be dealing with myopia. Laser Eye Surgery steps in to reshape your cornea, so distant faces become just as clear as your text messages.
Long Sightedness (Hyperopia)
Struggling to read menus up close? Hyperopia, or farsightedness, makes up-close tasks a struggle. Laser Eye Surgery reshapes your cornea to bring those menus back into your comfort zone.
Astigmatism
If your everyday sights blur together like a smeared painting, astigmatism might be the culprit. Laser Eye Surgery smooths out those cornea distortions (cornea shaped like a rugby ball), restoring crispness and balance to your vision.
Age-Related Long Sightedness (Presbyopia)
Constantly swapping between reading glasses, regular glasses or none at all, while struggling with the fine print? This could be the onset of presbyopia, a common age-related vision shift. With ‘blended vision correction’ Laser Eye Surgery can free you from this constant back-and-forth of glasses or contact lenses.
At AccuVision, all of these treatments and many more are specifically tailored for your eyes — with the most sophisticated AccuWave technology and corneal profiling topography.
These advanced diagnostics help us tailor correction treatments that target not only the above mentioned conditions, but even previously unknown subclinical visual distortions (like halos and glare).
In fact, our clinical team’s understanding of visual optics and experience over decades, has paved the way for over 80,000 patients, including those previously denied Laser Eye Surgery elsewhere, to achieve remarkably successful visual outcomes.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
Laser Eye Surgery is a transformative procedure, reshaping your cornea to restore optimal visual focus.
Your cornea, a unique structure, is the clear, front “windshield” of your eyes. It allows light to enter at the perfect angle for clear vision (as you can see on the right).
Corneal irregularities (such as bumps or dents) can distort light entry — leading to blurred vision and refractive errors, like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
How Laser Eye Surgery Restores Your Vision
LASIK Laser Eye Surgery and other vision correction procedures, utilise an excimer laser to reshape your cornea.
This precise process is controlled by the wealth of data collected during your preoperative examination and scans, coupled with expert clinical input of our multi-disciplinary team.
It is crucial to note that the accuracy and consistency of your visual outcome are greatly influenced by the thoroughness of your scans and the experience of your team.
Though this provides an initial understanding, you will find out the specifics of ‘how does Laser Eye Surgery work?’ with a breakdown of different type of Laser Eye Surgery further down the page.
Topography-Guided Laser Eye Surgery: Next Generation Correction
Corneal profile customisation is the key difference between topography-guided Laser Eye Surgery and standard laser eye treatments.
A corneal topographer — a precise eye-mapping device — helps us achieve your full visual potential. By gauging the shape and contour of your cornea, it provides a detailed, 3D map of your eye’s landscape.
This 3D topography is unique to your eyes and provides a precision-perfect measurement of your cornea — honing in on corrections needed to eliminate even the finest of irregularities on its surface. The result is clearer, more refined vision far beyond what standard treatments can achieve.
Even in the rare scenario where remedial procedures are required after standard LASIK treatment, topography-guided LASIK serves as a reliable safety net. Its adaptability and customisation ensure that your vision receives the care it deserves.
WaveFront Technology
WaveFront assesses the total detail of your eyes to mitigate annoyances like glare, halos and other visual imperfections.
During your AccuVision consultation, we use the WaveFront Analyser: a special device that explores the journey of light through your eyes. This helps us create a personalised map of the imperfections in your visual landscape. With this map in hand, we guide a precise laser to reshape your cornea, fixing those specific imperfections.
You may not know this, but you may be living with these irregularities already — they often persist even with glasses and contact lenses. That’s why time and time again, patients are astounded by the newfound clarity in their vision following Laser Eye Surgery.
If you’re seeking the pinnacle of vision enhancement, our topography-guided Laser Eye Surgery, paired with WaveFront could be the transformative answer you’ve been seeking. At AccuVision, we include both WaveFront and topography-guided treatment for everyone at no additional cost.
Am I Suitable For Laser Eye Surgery?
If you’re 18 or older and rely on glasses or contacts, you’re likely suitable candidate for Laser Eye Surgery.
However, this suitability assessment can differ between clinics. Leveraging our extensive experience with cutting-edge technologies, like the WaveLight Topolyzer, we can address a wider array of prescriptions and profiles compared to many other Laser Eye Surgery providers in the UK.
With that said, eligibility extends beyond just your eyes. Factors like prescription stability, corneal profile, health conditions, age, lifestyle, and even personality all influence suitability criteria. Our comprehensive, holistic approach takes all these facets into account.
Leave the Assessment to Us
With the abundance of online information, the journey can sometimes be confusing. This is why having a comprehensive consultation is now your best step forward.
Here, our compassionate team will walk you through the results of your pre-operative examinations, helping you discern whether Laser Eye Surgery aligns with your goals for a clearer future.
*Should Laser Eye Surgery still not be suitable, we’ll discuss alternatives with you to find your best next step.
Types of Laser Eye Surgery
Find out the types of Laser Eye Surgery for short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism.
Discover the difference between LASIK Laser Eye Surgery, LASEK, PRK, Trans-Epi and other vision correction procedures available at AccuVision.
LASIK Laser Eye Surgery corrects the shape of your cornea through a delicate flap created on the corneal surface.
During an AccuVision LASIK surgery, you’ll feel reassurance by the presence of not just one, but two experienced surgeons with decades of vision correction expertise. They will maintain clear and constant communication with you throughout the following process:
1) Anaesthetic Eye Drops: Numbing eye drops are gently administered to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. This step sets the stage for a relaxed experience.
2) Precise Flap Creation: We create a delicate flap in the cornea using a microkeratome blade. The surgeon creates the flap with the utmost care to ensure smooth recovery.
3) WaveLight Excimer Laser: This is where the magic happens. At 500 of the world’s fastest pulses per second, the WaveLight Excimer Laser refines your vision with remarkable precision. It precisely removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue, tailored to your customised topography scans.
4) Flap Restoration: The corneal flap is meticulously repositioned, seamlessly settling back into place without the need for sutures. Many of our patients already start to notice their renewed vision before this step is over.
LASEK utilises alcohol to remove the corneal epithelium, exposing the underlying cornea for treatment.
Instead of creating a corneal flap, the surgeon loosens the epithelium (top layer of the cornea) using alcohol, lifting it to expose the underlying cornea. The excimer laser then reshapes the inner layer of the cornea, after which the epithelium is repositioned to heal.
PRK involves removing the cornea’s surface epithelium with a blunt device and treating underneath with an excimer laser.
This surface epithelium regenerates naturally over time.
A pioneering ‘no touch’ procedure for people with thin corneas or more active individuals.
AccuVision, at the forefront of safe and effective Laser Eye Surgery, was the first UK clinic to introduce Trans-Epithelial Surface Treatment (Trans-Epi). This is a cutting-edge procedure that ensures safety and comfort.
Trans-Epi at a Glance:
- Epithelium removal using an excimer laser exposes the cornea’s stroma.
- Accurate stromal reshaping, including AccuVision custom adjustments.
- A protective lens supports epithelium regeneration.
- Numbing drops ensure comfort during this quick procedure.
- Our experienced surgeons oversee every step for your safety and optimal results.
Trans-Epi vs LASEK:
No alcohol, minimising eye stress.
‘No-touch’ precision procedure.
Advantages over LASIK:
Comfortable ‘no-touch’ experience.
No risk from corneal flap.
Tissue preservation for unique cases.
Disadvantages:
Short-term discomfort compared to LASIK.
Gradual visual recovery.
Small risk of haze, managed with post-op care.
AccuVision’s commitment to innovation sets new standards in Laser Eye Surgery, redefining vision enhancement with procedures tailored to your needs.
Blended vision is a specialised technique in laser eye surgery designed to address presbyopia — a common age-related issue that affects close-up focusing.
By correcting one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision, blended vision enables both eyes to work together seamlessly, allowing you to see objects at all distances.
To help you experience this dual-focus effect, we initially provide contact lenses that simulate the overcorrection and undercorrection. While it might feel unusual to begin with, many of our patients swiftly adapt and discover it to be an excellent substitute for reading glasses.
Laser Eye Surgery Alternatives
Lens Eye Surgery involves placing implants or replacing the eye’s lens, correcting vision in the process.
Clinics often limit options due to technology constrains, promoting lens eye surgery as a “long-lasting” solution. We’ve seen patients advised for costly lens replacements they might not need or be suitable for due to age or clinical indications.
At AccuVision, we’ve witnessed thousands of patients who were told elsewhere that the most expensive lens replacement procedure was their only option. Many of these patients were too young for such surgeries or not clinically indicated.
Yet, they’ve achieved visual freedom from glasses and contacts through less invasive treatments and techniques we offer, thanks to our ability to treat a larger range of prescriptions and profiles.
ICLs are artificial lenses that are implanted in the eye to treat short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism.
The ICL is inserted into the eye through a small incision. This implant is positioned behind the iris, the coloured part of the eye. Here, it optimises the focus of incoming light to correct your vision.
The procedure takes around 20-30 minutes and is reversible in the future, if necessary. This can be an option for people denied Laser Eye Surgery due to a high prescription or other surface conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery?
Freedom from glasses comes with a host of potential advantages:
- Clear Vision Anytime:
No longer having to search for and wear your glasses every morning. - Unobstructed Outdoor Activities:
Ability to be active without glasses falling off, fogging up or getting in the way. - Better Quality Social Interactions:
Increased presence in social events without the hindrance of glasses sliding or discomfort from contacts. - Enhanced Safety:
Better peripheral vision and awareness, especially during activities like driving. - Cost Savings:
Laser Eye Surgery is a potentially cost-effective solution to the long-term expenses of glasses and contact lenses. - Confidence Boost:
Increased confidence in your appearance with the natural look of your face without glasses. - Easier Eye Protection:
Protect your eyes from UV with hats and sunglasses, without the inconvenience of glasses or contacts. - Travel Freedom:
Simplify travel without the need to pack, clean, or worry about losing your glasses or contacts. - Healthier Active Lifestyle:
Freedom to engage in swimming, sports and physical activities whenever, wherever. - Complete Independence:
Self-sufficiency in daily activities like reading, cooking, and grooming.
By prioritising their visual well-being, our patients have not only enjoyed these benefits, but have also experienced profound positive transformations in their daily lives.
You can explore their stories and envision what you can achieve on our patient reviews page.
Does Laser Eye Surgery Have Risks?
While complications are exceedingly rare, like any medical procedure, mitigating Laser Eye Surgery risks happens together — the surgical team and you.
Potential Laser Eye Surgery risks include flap complications, corneal haze, infection, inflammation, under or overcorrection, night-time vision problems, dryness, and ectasia. Typically, these Laser Eye Surgery side effects naturally resolve over time, with the possibility of rare instances needing further corrective procedures.
You, as the patient, play a pivotal role in your journey. By adhering to your post-operative instructions, you become part of our team, minimising risk and fortifying your newfound vision for years to come.
Your Crucial Role for Laser Eye Surgery Recovery
Just as we impart top-notch care, it is equally vital that you refrain from actions that could jeopardise your surgery — before, during and after. This includes actions like avoiding makeup before surgery, refraining from vigorous activities post-surgery, and more which we discuss in detail with you.
Our Results
The success of our Laser Eye Surgery hinges on the skill of our surgical team and their command over the technology they use.
We employ the most superior technologies possible and engage the best clinical minds to apply them — surpassing expectations time and time again for our patients. Decades of surgeon expertise ensure consistently outstanding vision, guided by practised hands and true proficiency.
This dedicated approach translates to our notably low rate of surgical complications – significantly below the average standards set by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO).
Recovery After Laser Eye Surgery
Vision becomes significantly better within 24 hours, though resuming your regular routine may take a few days.
For LASIK, most patients experience clearer vision within the first 24 hours. But returning to your normal activities might require a day or two, depending on your individual circumstances. Advanced surface treatments usually involve a longer recovery period (around 5-7 days). While visual clarity improves sooner, it might take a bit more time before you can fully engage in your daily routines.
Our focus on aftercare ensures that your glasses-free vision isn’t just satisfactory — it’s exceptional. We provide guidance on at-home eye care and schedule thorough follow-up appointments to achieve the best possible vision for you.
Every AccuVision patient has access to our clinical specialists 24/7. This commitment ensures a smooth recovery and the best eyesight for years to come, without compromise.
Laser Eye Surgery Cost
AccuVision is committed to making world-class eye care accessible, with Laser Eye Surgery costs from £1,200 per eye.
Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprint. That’s why the cost can vary depending on what your eyes specifically need.
Our approach is straightforward and transparent. After a thorough eye assessment, your surgeon will take you through a single treatment plan, bespoke to you. There is no confusion of tiered pricing structures here — because we would never offer you a plan that would give less than the best possible outcome for your sight.
Laser Eye Surgery — The Journey With AccuVision
We know that Laser Eye Surgery can seem daunting and we aim to make the entire process as simple and stress free as possible for you.
We will empower you with the knowledge you need to confidently make your decision about whether Laser Eye Surgery is right for you.
Remember, this is not just an event, it is a journey, and we will be by your side at every step of it.
Step 1: Have a chat with our clinical team.
We are here to answer any questions that you might have.
You may be surprised that a simple conversation over the telephone with one of our clinical team will give you a good understanding of what to expect at your consultation.
If you have a copy of your eye test prescription, this is a good starting point and will help us to talk you through some of your potential treatment options prior to you coming in to see us. This personal touch right from the start of your journey will give you the reassurance you need to explore your options with a team who understand the importance of the trust our patients place us.
We are also able to offer a virtual video consultation with one of the team who will be looking after you in clinic throughout your journey with us. Patients find this useful in interacting with us and finding out more about what we can offer. It also assists us in completing your initial patient registration process without you needing to be in clinic.
Step 2: Attend a no obligation Laser Eye Surgery consultation.
Over the years we have helped thousands of our patients achieve their goals and we know that no two eyes are ever the same.
Invest your time in attending a consultation with the team and this will give you the opportunity to learn about your eyes in great detail and get an unbiased opinion on your suitability and treatment options.
We are confident that your consultation with us will be the most detailed and rigorous eye examination you have ever experienced. We use the most advanced diagnostic technologies to look at every aspect of your eyes and your vision. Your consultation does not stop there – we take a holistic approach towards every patient that we see and remain conscious of factors such as your lifestyle, occupation, visual routines and demands, how these may impact your treatment plan, Laser Eye Surgery outcome and long term commitment to preserving quality of vision.
We will discuss the results of your assessment with you in detail and confirm whether Laser Eye Surgery is appropriate in your case. If indeed we can help, we will explain what treatment plans would be appropriate and what your expectations should be – before, during and after surgery.
Put simply, by the end of the consultation you will have all of the facts that you need to make an informed decision about treatment and the benefits it can offer you.
Step 3: Trust us to guide you to your new life of clear and comfortable vision.
Our patients love that we have a completely clinical set up.
There is no sales or marketing team working on commission at AccuVision and right from your first telephone conversation we will only ever give you the facts. Once you have attended your consultation, you can rest assured that you will not receive any sales or marketing calls to urge you to book in for your treatment.
But remember, we are just a phone call away if you need us or if you think of any questions that you forgot to ask at your consultation appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the track record of Laser Eye Surgery is one of the safest vision correction options for a spectacle and contact lens-independent life. At AccuVision, we conduct extensive screening to ensure that your results are the best they can possibly be. And if you are unsuitable for treatment, we will work with you to find an alternative.
Laser Eye Surgery is a long-lasting solution for dependence from glasses and contact lenses. Its effects will not wear off, as it permanently reshapes your cornea to focus light properly. However, natural changes occur throughout life, and, as we reach our mid-40s or older we all inevitably develop presbyopia and will still need reading glasses, for which there are alternative solutions.
Laser Eye Surgery is quick and mildly uncomfortable (for some people). Most of this is mental rather than physical. Surgery experience is dependent on individual levels of anxiety (or mental makeup). Its inevitable that some people are more anxious, but our experienced team will make the journey as comfortable as possible for you.
with sub 30-minute surgery times for both eyes in the majority of patients.
Laser Eye Surgery works well to correct vision and refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. However, ‘does Laser Eye Surgery work?’ is dependent on the expertise and experience of your surgical team and technology available at the clinic you choose.
Laser Eye Surgery uses a precise laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision problems.
Yes, Laser Eye Surgery can be a good option for people with certain vision problems. Especially in eye clinics such as AccuVision — our AccuWave and WaveFront technologies can help remove glare, halos and other visual aberrations that your glasses may not even correct.
The results of Laser Eye Surgery are enduring, yet the question of whether it’s permanent is complex and individual. It varies from person to person. Some eyes change and some don’t. With aging, the need for reading glasses may gradually arise for everyone.
Absolutely. At AccuVision, our advanced treatment modalities enable us to consistently achieve excellent visual outcomes for patients with different degrees of longsightedness.
The cost of LASIK Laser Eye Surgery in the UK is typically between £1,500 to £3,000 depending on procedure type, clinic and personalised options. At AccuVision, we are dedicated to making world-class eye care accessible. Our competitive pricing starts at £1,200 and adjusts for wider prescriptions and profiles.
Laser Eye Surgery for astigmatism is a service we offer, and it’s often an excellent option for those seeking to correct their astigmatism and enjoy a life with greater clarity.
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is irregularly shaped (like a rugby ball). This leads to blurred vision, both up close and at a distance.
We employ a state-of-the-art technique called AccuWave, which utilises cutting-edge topography-guided surgery with WaveFront technology. This means we map the unique imperfections in your cornea with remarkable precision, tailoring the treatment to your eyes’ specific needs. This individualised approach ensures that the surgery is customised to your exact astigmatism, giving you the best vision possible.
Customisation is at the heart of our practice. Our team of dedicated professionals places a strong emphasis on creating a treatment plan that is tailored to you. We understand that every eye is unique, and your astigmatism deserves a personalised solution.
So, if you’re considering Laser Eye Surgery for astigmatism, don’t hesitate to reach out. We will be with you ever step of the way to ensure you receive the best care possible.
Can’t find your question? Click here for our extensive Laser Eye Surgery FAQs, answered by our expert surgical team.
Interested in Laser Eye Surgery at AccuVision?
You need only book your consultation with us today to commence your journey towards unrestricted vision for years to come.
Once you book a consultation, our dedicated team will guide you through the process and answer your questions over the phone. If you then decide to attend your no-obligation consultation, you’ll be on your way to joining our clear-sighted patient community of AccuVision Ambassadors.
Trust us to bring the world back into focus for you.
Looking for Lens Replacement or Refractive Lens Exchange surgery?
At AccuVision we don’t just provide advanced Corneal Laser Vision correction. Our wealth of experience and expertise allows us to offer additional custom treatments and specialised surgical solutions for a wide range of vision and eye health conditions.
