Join us for a free consultation in January for Laser Eye Surgery

See more in 2018!

Join us for a free consultation in January, with absolutely no obligation. To book your appointment call us on 0121 711 2020 or email us at info@midlandeye.com

This applies to patients aged 18 or over.

Professor Sunil Shah,  Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon answers the top FAQs on Laser Eye Surgery

What does laser eye surgery involve?

At Midland Eye we offer two different laser procedures for corrective Eye Surgery. One is called LASEK and the second is LASIK.

With LASEK a “blister” is created on the surface of the eye by using some alcohol held in a cup on the eye. The roof of this “blister”, the epithelium, is pushed aside as a flap without any cutting. The laser is then applied and then the epithelium placed back down and covered by a bandage contact lens for 3 to 4 days.

The “flap and zap” method or LASIK involves treatment in the middle of the cornea. By this technique a thin flap of the corneal tissue, which includes the surface cells, is first made with a femtosecond laser. This flap is hinged and is folded back so that the laser treatment can be applied. Once the laser application is completed the flap is replaced and sticks back into position within a few minutes.

Which procedure would be best for me?

This is something that can be discussed in detail in your consultation and may be dependent on the thickness of the cornea and the presence of dry eye.

Is this procedure suitable for me?

You usually have to be aged 18 or over and your prescription should not have changed for at least two years.  If you are over the age of 45 a different procedure, clear lens extraction may more beneficial as it helps reading too.

How good will my vision be afterwards?
It is important for anyone considering laser eye surgery to have realistic expectations. Laser surgery allows you to perform most everyday tasks without wearing corrective lenses.  The final results of Laser surgery will vary from patient to patient given the unique nature of each patient’s eyes. Current statistics show that LASIK success rates can be as high as 100% of patients achieving vision of 6/6 or 20/20 or better without the aid of glasses or contact lenses.

Is it painful?
Eye numbing anaesthetic drops are administered before the procedure so that no pain is felt during the actual procedure.  Afterwards some patients may experience some mild discomfort but this should subside within 1-3 days depending on the treatment performed.

Is it safe?
Laser eye surgery is a relatively simple surgery and is one of the most popular elective procedures, however all surgery carries a small risk of a complication.

How long does it take?
The actual laser procedure will take approximately 1 minute but you are in the theatre area for about 30 minutes.

How long does it take to recover?
It is advisable to allow a week off work although you should normally be able to resume work after 4-5 days.

Can I have both eyes done at the same time?
Yes both eyes can be treated at the same time.

How much does Laser eye surgery cost?
Laser surgery costs £1,800 per eye. Finance options are available.

Call us on 0121 711 2020 for your free consultation during January.
We would love to see you!