LASIK Eye Surgery
How Laser Eye Surgery Works
If you’ve looked into types of laser eye surgery you may have heard, or seen, the word ‘LASIK’. To get technical for a second, LASIK surgery stands for laser in-situ kertomileusis. This laser surgery technique uses the SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser to create a flap of partial thickness, and then an excimer laser to reshape the eye surface beneath the flap.
LASIK eye surgery is the most common form of laser eye treatment because of its rapid recovery and high success rate, with most patients experiencing an improvement in vision within a few hours. After a couple of days, you’ll be back to your normal routine, just minus the glasses.
Why LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK surgery can be used to correct a number of conditions including:
- Nearsightedness (myopia): difficulty seeing distant objects
- Farsightedness (hyperopia): difficulty seeing items up close
- Astigmatism: an irregular eye shape that results in blurry vision or uneven and distorted objects
The advantages of LASIK laser eye surgery for your vision
LASIK is the most common laser eye surgery procedure because of its numerous benefits, including:
- Excellent vision without glasses or contact lenses almost immediately after the eye surgery
- No scarring
- Rapid visual recovery after surgery – patients can usually return to work the next day or within a couple of days.
- Little discomfort during and after the eye surgery procedure
- Both eyes can be treated at the same time
The LASIK surgery procedure
During the LASIK surgery procedure, our highly experienced eye surgeons create a corneal flap by using the SCHWIND ATOS femtosecond laser. This leaves the flap hinged open so it can be easily replaced after the surgical procedure is complete.
With the flap turned back, the SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS excimer laser is then used to remove corneal tissue to produce the required change in shape. The flap is then replaced and adheres to the underlying cornea within minutes of the operation without requiring any stitches. The excimer laser part of the laser vision correction procedure will take between 15 and 60 seconds.
What can I expect during the LASIK eye procedure?
LASIK eye surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at the Lions Eye Institute and will take between 2-3 hours. As a LASIK eye surgery patient, you will have an oral sedative and analgesic and will need someone to drive you home and bring you back again in the morning.
The LASIK procedure takes about 20 minutes for each eye and is performed with local anaesthetic eye drops. You will be lying comfortably on a bed during the procedure and the surgeon will talk you through each step they’ll be performing on your eye.
After the anaesthetic eye drops are applied, the doctor will use an instrument to hold your eyes open. These eye drops stop you from feeling the need to blink so you feel comfortable throughout the procedure. The laser will track your eye movements during the procedure, however, you will need to keep as still as possible. Refractive eye surgery is usually not painful, but there are some unpleasant sensations, including some pulling and stretching of the eyelids, pressure and very bright lights above your eyes.
Visit our Before and After LASIK page or read the FAQs to find out what to expect before, during and after your treatment.
Are there any risks to LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK is considered the gold standard for laser eye surgery, with an extremely high success rate, high accuracy and minimal discomfort. With improved technology, complications that can affect your vision are very uncommon. However, as with any procedure, there are some risks involved with LASIK eye surgery.
- Dry eyes
- Over correction and under correction
- Complications creating the flap
- Haloes and night glare
- Flap slippage
- Loss of best corrected vision
- Epithelial in growth
- Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK)
- Kerectasia
Your safety is our number one priority, and with over 30 years of experience and the latest technology, you know you’re in safe hands.
How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?
The eye surgery cost can vary depending on the condition of your eyes. We have a number of payment and finance options available for treatment. Find out how much LASIK eye surgery costs and ditch your glasses for good.
Are you suitable for LASIK laser vision correction?
If you’re using glasses or contact lenses for your otherwise healthy eyes, if you’re at least 20 years old, and if you aren’t currently breastfeeding or pregnant, then you may be suitable for LASIK eye surgery.
Alternatives to LASIK
At Lions Laser Vision, we also offer SmartSight and PRK. SmartSight is the latest laser vision correction procedure available today. It is safe, gentle and precise, giving you the best possible vision in the least amount of time. Visual recovery and comfort after the procedure are excellent and it is less invasive than other forms of laser eye surgery. PRK laser surgery was the first type of laser eye surgery and is often suitable for patients who aren’t suitable for LASIK or SmartSight. Take our LASIK eye surgery suitability test now to find out if LASIK laser eye surgery is for you.
Say goodbye to your eye glasses with the most effective laser vision correction treatment available. Book a consultation with one of our surgeons by calling us on (08) 9381 0758, or contact us online.
Please note: To make an appointment with one of our surgeons you will need a referral from your optometrist, general practitioner, or another ophthalmologist in order to claim a Medicare rebate after your consultation.
Contact Lions Laser Vision
Please call us at Lions Laser Vision and speak with one of our clinical coordinators who will be able to answer your questions and schedule an initial consultation with one of our refractive surgeons.
Alternatively, complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
PHONE: 08 9381 0758
FAX: 08 9381 0700
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Lions Eye Institute
Lions Laser Vision
1st Floor,
2 Verdun Street
Nedlands WA 6009
St John of God Murdoch
Murdoch Medical Centre
Suite 4B,
Ground Floor,
100 Murdoch Dr
Murdoch WA 6150