Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What can you expect from laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a safe and effective way to achieve clearer vision, without relying on glasses or contacts. The procedure is quick, with most experiencing improved eyesight within hours.
Recovery is smooth and the results are life-changing, allowing you to see the world through your own eyes.
Are you suitable for laser eye surgery?
At your first appointment, our highly trained team will determine if your eyes are a match for laser eye surgery. Our eye care team will discuss the results with you in detail andset realistic expectations.
Minimum requirements for laser eye surgery:
- Stable vision (spectacle prescription) for at least 1 year
- No eye diseases – especially those affecting the cornea
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Our team may offer Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL: Inplantable Collamer Lens) or a Lens Replacement (Clear Lens Exchange/Refractive Lens Exchange) if laser eye surgery is not suitable. These are other options that can help you break free from glasses and contact lenses.
What’s involved in having laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a quick procedure however you will need to be available for 2 to 3 hours. It’s best to have someone drive you home after your treatment and for a check-up the next day. The laser procedure takes around 20 minutes per eye and is performed with local anaesthetic eye drops. You will be lying comfortably on a bed during the procedure as your surgeon talks through each step.
The Process to Clear Vision: During the LASIK procedure the corneal flap is created using the SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser. Your vision will be corrected using the SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS laser. With the flap turned back, the excimer laser is then used to remove corneal tissue to produce the required change in shape, taking 15-60 seconds. The flap is replaced and adheres to the underlying cornea within minutes without stitches.
Are there limits on what can be corrected?
Yes, there are. The limits for short-sightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism can depend on many factors, especially the thickness of your cornea. This is something that can only be determined at your consultation.
Our team may offer Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL: Inplantable Collamer Lens) or a Lens Replacement (Clear Lens Exchange/Refractive Lens Exchange) if laser eye surgery is not suitable.
These are other options that can help you break free from glasses and contact lenses.
Are the follow up consultations covered by the initial fees?
Your follow up visits are covered for the first 3 months, after this time, visits with the Ophthalmologist or Optometrist will be billed separately.
If I require further treatment, do I have to pay?
Any further surgery performed within the first 2 years will incur no extra charge.
After 2 years, fees do apply.
What are the risks?
LASIK is a very safe procedure, having been performed for 25 years, however, as a surgical procedure, there is a small risk of problems either during or afterwards the procedure.
Fortunately, complications are very uncommon and occur in less than one per cent of cases. Serious complications are rare however many include;
- Suction loss
- Over-correction and under-correction
- Flap complications
- Flap slippage
- Re-treatment
- Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK)
- Epithelial ingrowth
- Haloes and night glare
- Infection
- Loss of best corrected vision
- Kerectasia
Surgery
What can I do to prepare my eyes for surgery?
Research has shown the use of preservative free ocular lubricants (artificial tears) pre-surgery improves your results. You can start using lubricant drops one week prior to surgery 3 times a day. We recommend Optive Fusion, Systane Hydration or Blink Intensive Tears . Once booked in for surgery you will be given a pre-operative instruction letter. If you have been told that dry eye is an issue for you then it can help to start taking an omega-3 supplement (fish oil or flaxseed oil).
Why do contact lenses need to be left out before the surgery?
Contact lenses may alter the natural curvature of the cornea. To have accurate results it is essential lenses are left out prior to your consultation and surgery.
How long does the surgery take?
The procedure takes around 20 minutes, but you will need to be available for 2-3 hours.
What happens if I move my eye during the laser treatment?
Our SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS laser incorporates an active infra-red 6-dimensional eye tracking system, a highly sophisticated safety device tracking tiny eye movements, guiding the laser to follow them. This ensures the laser treats the correct areas of your eye. The eye tracker incorporates reads the exact position of your eye hundreds of times per second and is forced to stop if your eye moves outside the laser treatment range.
How long until the flap is secure?
The flap settles into place immediately after surgery and will not move unless there is contact.
Is laser eye surgery permanent?
Yes, laser eye surgery such as LASIK, SmartSight and PRK permanently alters the shape and focus of your cornea. However, from 40-50 years onwards, people’s short-sightedness begins to deteriorate. Known as Presbyopia, this is a natural part of ageing. If you are younger and both eyes have been corrected for distance with laser surgery then you will likely need reading glasses at some time in the future.
Recovery
What should I do immediately after surgery?
You may experience sensations of gritty, irritable and sensitive for several hours after your surgery. The best option is to rest. Please only remove the eye shields for your medication drops. Your vision will be blurry on the day of surgery but should start to clear by the next morning.
How long should I use the protective shields?
To avoid inadvertent rubbing of your eyes when you are sleeping, it’s best to tape the shields on for 5 nights post surgery. You can take the shields off at home before attending your post surgery check up the next day. We recommend wearing sunglasses during the day.
When can I drive again?
Please do not drive to your follow-up appointment the next day. Your vision will be checked and the surgeon will advise you when you can drive. This may take a day or two after surgery.
What are the medicated eye drops for?
Both are used as preventative measures. One is an anti-inflammatory, allowing for more comfort and the other an antibiotic. These should be used as instructed by your surgeon.
When can I go back to work?
Most people require 2 days off work. Some people may require longer, depending on their occupation. You can return to work as soon as you feel comfortable with your vision. It may take a few weeks to feel completely comfortable with prolonged reading or computer use, especially in air conditioning. You may find you tire quickly, or cannot concentrate for as long as usual, while you are getting used to the vision changes.
What can I expect in the following weeks after surgery?
There will be some fluctuation in your vision for the first few days as the cornea is settling down. It may take longer for moderate or higher corrections to settle completely. Your eyes may remain sensitive to dryness/wind/air-conditioning/bright lights for some time. We recommend using lubricant eye drops and always wear sunglasses when outside. It may take up to 3 months for your eyes to completely stabilise.
How often should I use the lubricant eye drops?
The more you use them the better your eyes will feel. Unlike skin moisturisers, the drops drain away very quickly and need to be repeated often. Commonly people need to use the drops every hour, but this tapers down to every 2 hours, then 4 times per day. For those with significantly dry eyes it helps to use some gel lubricant before bed but not until at least 2 weeks after surgery.
What are the best lubricant drops to use?
The best drops are in the single use break-open containers, as they do not contain a preservative. We recommend Optive Fusion, Systane Hydration and Blink Intesnive Tears. Thicker gel type lubricants such as Poly Gel or Viscotears Gel (Single Dose Units) are best for night time only. These drops can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription.
Does air conditioning or heating affect my eyes?
Both air-conditioning and heating decrease humidity and result in drier eyes. If you go back to work and find your eyes drier than at home make sure you are not sitting in the path of an air vent and remember to blink when using the computer.
What about reading or working on the computer?
Due to the change in your vision, this may be more difficult than normal. The rates, at which you blink decreases when you read, drive, watch TV or use a computer. The film of tears on the cornea then has to last longer between each blink. If the tear film breaks up it can make the eyes uncomfortable or affect the quality of your vision. Please take frequent short breaks to allow your eyes to move more naturally.
What sunglasses should I wear?
Your sunglasses should meet Australian Standards with 100% UV protection, polarised lenses are best. We recommend sunglasses with a wrap-around frame or are very large to block glare and wind from the sides.
What about washing my face, showering and washing my hair?
It is best to keep your eyes closed when showering and washing your hair and face for one week.
Look after your eyes post surgery
- Don’t rub your eyes for the first month post surgery.
- Light exercise is fine within the first week. Be careful around other people and do not rub your eyes if you get sweat in them.
- Don’t go swimming or use a spa for at least 2 weeks.
- Don’t go surfing for at least 2 weeks.
- Don’t go Scuba Diving for at least 1 month.
- Don’t do contact sports for at least 1 month.
When can I wear eye makeup?
Do not use any eye makeup for 2 weeks after surgery. Avoid using makeup on the eyelids and lid margins. If you do eventually use make up it is best to use a hypoallergenic type.
How long before I can fly in a plane?
There is no restriction on flying, however with low humidity in the cabin you will get dry eyes. Use lubricating drops frequently on the flight to avoid sore, dry eyes and blurred vision.
Why does my vision sometimes go blurry but then clears when I blink?
This is a sign of dry eyes, the tears become very thick and you need to blink a few times to clear it. If this happens use lubricant drops hourly. Contact us if this does not improve over time.
Why is my vision worse at the end of the day?
It is normal for your eyes to become drier as the day goes on. If you work on computers or are concentrating on near work all day it can be hard to relax the eyes for distance vision and they will seem blurry. Use lubricating drops more frequently and take short breaks from the computer to allow your eyes to move and blink naturally.
What if I have dry, gritty, watery, scratchy eyes or feel like there is something in them?
This is related to reduced tear production. Your eyes can dry out after surgery so you will need to use eye lubricants frequently. The more you use them the better this will get.
What if I have itchy eyes?
This is an allergy response. You may have something in your eyes such as, dust, pollen, animal hair, etc. We recommend over the-counter anti-histamine tablets or anti-histamine eye drops such as Zaditen or Cromo-Fresh work well.
What if I get very red eyes?
Some redness immediately after LASIK is common, especially where the white meets the clear part of your eye. If your eyes become red after surgery this is commonly dryness. Please start using the lubricant drops and if it doesn’t improve steadily please contact us.
