Here we have answered some of your most frequently asked questions about laser eye surgery. However, the best way to find out about the treatment is to book in for a consultation, where our team will be more than happy to help.
Do I have to be from Sheffield to get treatment?
No, our customers come from across the region of South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the East Midlands which includes Sheffield, Derby, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Worksop, Barnsley, Rotherham, Mexborough and Retford. We also welcome a few patients from much farther afield but remember you will need to attend periodic follow ups to ensure your total satisfaction.
How long does the laser eye treatment take?
Laser eye treatment takes less than a minute per eye – but you may spend up to twenty minutes in the treatment room as we prepare for the procedure. You will also spend a similar length of time at the clinic after your eye treatment, preparing to be discharged.
Will the laser eye surgery hurt?
No. During laser eye treatment your eye will be anaesthetised with local anaesthetic so it will not hurt. However, you may experience some eye pressure during the procedure and a mild discomfort afterwards.
Discomfort following the procedure depends on the method of laser eye treatment. After LASIK eye surgery, you may experience some discomfort for 24 hours - but with LASEK this may last for a few days. The medications provided in your aftercare package will allow you to manage any post-surgery discomfort.
What will my eye look like after surgery?
Your eyes may be slightly red after treatment. This can take up to a week to settle depending on the type of surgery you have had. After the redness subsides, your eyes will look normal and no one will be able to tell you’ve had laser eye surgery unless they were looking at your eyes under a microscope.
Are the results of laser vision correction permanent?
Once your eye has stabilised after surgery, your vision will remain stable long term. At the moment, laser eye surgery only treats the front surface of the eye, so natural ageing inside the eye will continue in spite of the surgery’s effects. We offer other eye treatments to deal with this problem in the older eye, please contact our team for more details.
How soon after laser eye treatment can I get back to normal activity?
After LASIK eye surgery, patients usually experience functional vision within 24-48 hours. We normally recommend that the patients take the following day off work. After LASEK eye surgery, patients usually have their functional vision return within five days. We normally recommend that these patients take the week off after treatment. We recommend that you do not drive until you have had your first post-operative check-up. For LASIK eye surgery this will be the following day, for LASEK it will be around five days later.
How do I know if I am suitable for laser vision correction?
The short answer is that you cannot diagnose yourself as suitable for laser eye treatment. Factors such as your age, your eye measurements, your expectations and your health can affect the procedure, so it is best to book a consultation with us. However, you can use your eye-test prescriptions as a guide to whether you are suitable. Look at the chart under "are you suitable?" for further guidance
Should I have LASIK or LASEK eye surgery?
Your consultant will discuss both techniques with you, giving guidance on any medical factors affecting you. Both techniques have the same excellent visual results. Lasik is the most popular treatment since there is less post operative discomfort and visual recovery is quicker. Some patients are not suitable for Lasik but they may be suitable for Lasek. Some patients choose Lasek since it is a less invasive proceedure.
What is the success rate of laser eye surgery?
Research shows that results of laser eye treatment are generally excellent. However, they do depend on several factors including your age and your eye’s health. At your Refractive Surgery Consultation we will test your eyes and provide you with an explanation of the results you can realistically expect.
Will it matter if I am wearing contact lenses at the moment?
Yes. Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea. It is very important that the front of your eye has resumed its normal shape by the time of your consultation as it could reduce the accuracy of your final result. Research has shown that the likelihood of retreatment is reduced if you have had your contact lens out for the desired time prior to Refractive Surgery Consultation.
This length of time depends on the type of contact lenses you wear:
• Soft/disposable lenses: One week
• Gas permeable/hard lenses: Four weeks
Are there upper and lower age limits for laser eye treatment?
Your eyes continue to grow during your teenage years and are not fully stabilized until you reach the age of 21. For this reason, we will check your past eye-test prescriptions to ensure that there has been no significant changes in your eyes over the last two years. Older people’s eyesight needs also differ slightly and may require alternative forms of laser eye surgery, or alternative treatment. For more information, please book a consultation at the clinic to discuss your requirements.
When can I resume sport after laser eye surgery?
For the first two weeks you should only undertake gentle physical activity - after this, you can normally go back to doing most sports but we do recommend that you do not swim for the first month. Your consultant will discuss your lifestyle and sporting pursuits with you during your consultations to ensure you get the best treatment for you.
