Refractive Surgery London UK

Refractive Surgery

LASER EYE SURGERY

Laser Refractive surgery, such as Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), and the most recent SMILE surgery are among most common ophthalmic procedures in the world. Reasons for their popularity lie in the safety, efficacy, quick visual recovery, and minimal patient discomfort..

Patient satisfaction is almost 99% with this type of surgery.

Read Other Surgery Details:

1. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

PRK : is performing the refractive surgery without making the corneal flap. There are no flap complications with the PRK surgery, however visual rehabilitation takes longer and it is more painful comparing to LASIK. It is good for patients with a thin cornea.

The Treatment Steps

Step 1

Preparing the outer layer

An alcohol solution or special brush is used to dissolve the thin, outer layer of the eye (epithelium).

Step 2

Remove the outer layer

The epithelium is removed either manually or with an excimer laser. It can also be moved to the side with a manual instrument.

Step 3

Correcting the error

An excimer laser is used to sculpt the corneal, thereby correcting the refractive error.

Step 4

Protecting the eye

Finally, a bandage contact lens is placed over the eye for protection until the epithelium grows back.

HOW MUCH WOULD PRK COST

2. LASIK

Involve forming a corneal flap with femtosecond laser, it is less painful than the PRK and the visual rehabilitation is faster.

Step 1

Creating the flap

With LASIK a controlled blade is used to create the flap, a hinged piece of corneal tissue. With Femto-LASIK the flap is created with a highly precise femtosecond laser.

Step 2

Relocating the patient

The Patient is conveniently moved from the femtosecond laser to the excimer laser.

Step 3

Folding back the flap

The flap is gently folded back, exposing the inner corneal tissue to be treated.

Step 4

Correcting the error

An excimer laser reshapes the corneal tissue, correcting the refractive error.

Step 5

Repositioning the flap

The flap is returned to its original position, protecting the eye like a natural bandage.

IS LASIK SAFE?

LASIK surgery is a very safe and successful procedure, with 97% of patients achieving 20/40 vision (driving performance). Minority of patients (3/1000) might lose 2 or more lines of vision due to flap complications. Ectasia (gradual bulging of the cornea) is a serious complication, however, the incidence is very low (almost 1/10000) especially with the employment of the advanced diagnostic tools in detecting patient with weak corneas.

Under correction or significant regression of myopia (short-sightedness) could be encountered in 5% of patients, which might need further refractive surgery.

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO GET LASIK?

LASIK is recommended for patients age 21 years and above

HOW MUCH WOULD LASIK SURGERY COST?

3. SMILE

The latest technology in correcting myopia and astigmatism, by removing a thin layer from the corneal stroma (Lenticule) through a small 2-3 mm incision, using femtosecond laser. SMILE procedure provides quick and painless visual improvement, and the risk of developing dry eyes is low due to the small incision made on the surface of cornea.

IS SMILE EYE SURGERY SAFE ?

SMILE is a flap-less procedure, which means that all complications associated with corneal flap, as in the case of LASIK, would be excluded in SMILE. Retained part of the lenticule could happen in 3%, without significant visual compromise in most cases. If the visual outcome was suboptimal, further refractive surgery might be needed. Regression of shortsightedness could be encountered in 2% after the SMILE procedure, which might need further correction.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY TIME AFTER SMILE?

On the first day following SMILE procedure, 55% of the patients will achieve 20/20 vision. This percentage would increase to 93% by the end of the first month, and 96% by 3 months.

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO GET SMILE?

Like other laser refractive surgery patient should be 21 year-old and above

SMILE PACKAGE

£5000 for both eyes

Including surgery and 4 postoperative follow-ups

SMILE PACKAGE

Click to see cost

Price:

£2400 per eye

To find out more about finance options, press the link Finance Options

To check if you are suitable for CAIRS procedure, you can have free screening by indicating that in the “Book now” page

4. Presbyond laser surgery

PRESBYOND

Is the latest refractive improvement in correcting presbyopia (inability to see near object after the age of 40). In incorporate 2 techniques to extend the range of vision, by increasing the depth of focus in each eye and creating a slight difference between both eyes to gain distance and near vision. Though, there are almost 10% of patients that might still need reading glasses for small print.

IS PRESBYOND SURGERY SAFE?

PRSBYOND surgery is a laser refractive surgery, which means it is a surgery that is made on the surface of the cornea and not inside the eye, which makes it much safer than other procedures to correct Presbyopia like lens replacement surgery. Although it has the same risk associated with LASIK procedure with minority of patient 3/1000 losing 2 or more lines of vision due to flap complications.

PRESBYOND COST

5. ICL