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Laser Eye Surgery

SMILE | LASIK | TransPRK | LASEK

Laser eye surgery, or vision correction, reshapes the cornea to change the focusing of the eye and improve vision without glasses or contact lenses. Short/near-sightedness (myopia), Long/far-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism can all be treated with this simple corrective procedure. There are three types of laser vision correction:

  • Keyhole (SMILE)
  • Flap-based (LASIK)
  • Surface (LASEK/TransPRK)

Results for these types of surgery are the same, but the most appropriate procedure will depend on the examination results and the individual needs of the patient. Mr Gore will determine the best treatment for you during your consultation.

SMILE

SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) is a type of keyhole laser vision correction using a femtosecond laser. In SMILE a contact lens shaped small disc of corneal stroma is removed through a small incisions. The incision typically heals within 24 hours of the procedure meaning minimal discomfort afterwards. The visual recovery after SMILE is quick with most patients achieving 20/20 vision within the first 48 hours.

Find out more by hovering around the image, or by clicking the dots below the text below the image.
lasik procedure

Am I suitable?

SMILE is suitable for many patients, but there are a number of reasons why an alternative such as LASIK, TransPRK or ICL surgery may be a safer option for you. For example, if your corneas are thin, or you have a 'positive' / 'long-sighted' prescription. SMILE is also not suitable for very young patients.

How long does the procedure take?

SMILE is a quick procedure. One laser is used during SMILE to create the lenticule (the femtosecond laser). Treating each eye takes about 10 minutes, with the laser part lasting only a few seconds at a time.

What are the risks?

Overall, laser eye surgery is very safe. The risk of a serious complication such as sight-threatening infection requiring a corneal transplant to restore vision is approximately 1 in 5,000. This compares with the risk of a similar infection from wearing soft contact lenses of approximately 1 in 3,000 per year.

Recovery

Recovery after SMILE eye surgery is rapid. Your vision in most cases will already be better straight after the procedure is complete. The following day you should be seeing 20/20 or better. We advise you to take the day off following SMILE surgery. By day 2, you should be fine to head back to work.

LASIK

LASIK is the commonest type of laser vision correction worldwide. It is performed using a suction ring applied to the eye to secure it for the creation of a thin corneal flap on the top of the cornea with a femtosecond laser. An excimer laser is then applied under the flap to re-shape the cornea to correct your vision. The flap is gently re-positioned at the end of procedure.

Find out more by hovering around the image, or by clicking the dots below the text below the image.
lasik procedure

Am I suitable?

LASIK is suitable for most patients, but there are a number of reasons why an alternative such as LASEK or ICL surgery may be a safer option for you. For example, if your corneas are thin, or your prescription is very high. LASIK is also not suitable for younger patients, or those at high-risk of flap dislocation (e.g. contact sports players).

How long does the procedure take?

LASIK is a quick procedure. Two different lasers are used during LASIK - one to create the flap (the femtosecond laser) and another to reshape the cornea underneath the flap (the excimer laser). Treating each eye takes about 10 minutes, with the laser part lasting only a few seconds at a time.

What are the risks?

Overall, laser eye surgery is very safe. The risk of a serious complication such as sight-threatening infection requiring a corneal transplant to restore vision is approximately 1 in 5,000. This compares with the risk of a similar infection from wearing soft contact lenses of approximately 1 in 3,000 per year.

Recovery

Recovery after LASIK eye surgery is rapid. Your vision in most cases will already be better straight after the procedure is complete. The following day you should be seeing 20/20 or better. We advise you to take the day off following LASIK. By day 2, you should be fine to head back to work.

TransPRK and LASEK

LASEK and TransPRK eye surgeries are both examples of laser treatments applied directly to the surface of the cornea (without a flap). LASEK involves manually brushing away the corneal skin layer (epithelium). A more advanced technique, transepithelial PRK (TransPRK), reshapes the cornea through the epithelium. TransPRK with the Schwind Amaris 1050RS laser using SmartSurfACE technology, is a 'no-touch' technique for laser refractive surgery - applying the laser light directly to the surface of the eye means no brushing, no cutting and no flap.

Find out more by hovering around the image, or by clicking the dots below the text below the image.
transprk procedure

Who is suitable?

If your corneas are on the thin side, a surface laser treatment may be preferable to avoid treating too deep in the cornea. Also, if you play contact sports, martial arts or are at risk of head injuries (police, military) it is best to avoid a LASIK flap that could be dislodged. Following LASEK or TransPRK your eye will just a secure from future injuries as before your treatment.

How long does the procedure take?

LASEK and TransPRK are phenomenally quick. The laser takes less than 60 seconds each eye. A bandage contact lens is applied at the end to help the healing process. You’ll be sat up again less than 10 minutes after you entered the room.

What are the risks?

Overall, laser eye surgery is very safe. The risk of a serious complication such as sight-threatening infection requiring a corneal transplant to restore vision is approximately 1 in 5,000. This compares with the risk of a similar infection from wearing soft contact lenses of approximately 1 in 3,000 per year.

Recovery

Recovery after LASEK or TransPRK is slow. Your vision will be blurred for the first 3 to 4 days, before it begins to sharpen up. The first evening and night can be painful and light sensitive. You will be given some anaesthetic ‘numbing’ drops to help ease the discomfort. Expect to be off work for a week. Vision continues to improve through the second week and beyond.
family outside

More Information

All the answers to all your questions about laser surgery, including questions you might not even have thought to answer.

Visit our Laser Eye Surgery Help Center now.
Additional information is available from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
You can also get answers to some frequently asked questions about Laser Eye Surgery by visiting our Help Center.

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