The laser will only be on each of your eyes for a few seconds, although it’s likely that you will be in the treatment room for approximately 20 minutes. Overall, you should expect to be at the clinic for around four hours on the day of your laser eye procedure, as you will talk with our optometrists and advisors as well as discuss post-surgery medication.

In most cases, laser eye correction is permanent. It will not, however, eliminate age-related changes – the majority of people are likely to need reading glasses from their 40s onwards, and cataracts can still form in later life.

Depending on the laser eye treatment deemed suitable, a thin layer is gently lifted away from the surface of the eye so the laser can access the layer below and correct the prescription with pinpoint accuracy. The layer is then carefully set back in place, and sometimes protected with a clear bandage contact lens for 3-5 days while the eye naturally heals. All this is carried out using bladeless laser technology to eliminate potential complications and improve the results for every patient we treat.

You’ll be able to go home when you’re ready, but you’ll need someone to drive you. Your surgeon may recommend that you wear a protective plastic shield over your eyes at night for the first week or so. You’ll be prescribed eye drops containing antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines to help your eyes to heal, and artificial tears to keep them comfortable. Make sure you use these as directed, and follow all the advice from your surgeon. Recovery time depends on the surgery you’ve had. You may be able to return to work and drive the day after LASIK, but it may take a few weeks with other procedures.

Most people get some mild side-effects after surgery. These usually improve over time, although occasionally they may not go away completely. They include:

• dry eyes
• hazy or blurry vision
• glare or halo effects – especially when driving at night
• red blotches in the white of your eye