After Laser Eye Surgery - Laser Eye Surgery Guide

I am interested so what do I do next?

If after reading through this you want to go ahead then your next step is to find a reputable clinic, and surgeon.

We cannot stress enough the word reputable. It is vitally important that you have your treatment performed by a highly qualified and experienced surgeon. You want to know that he/she and the clinic has a strong duty of care towards its patients and is concerned with your health and wellbeing.

This means doing your research: asking around or speaking to other people who have had this surgery and talking to your GP. Word of mouth is still one of the best forms of recommendation and you may be able to find a good surgeon as a result of this.

This is discussed in more detail in the next question.

What you want to do is to learn as much as you can about laser vision surgery, what it entails, how much and how long the recovery will take. And, most importantly, what you can expect from it.

Once you have this information then you will be in a good position to make a sensible, informed decision.

How do I find a surgeon or clinic?

If you know of someone who has had this surgery then ask them for a recommendation. If not then speak to your GP. Even though it is unlikely that the NHS will pay, he or she may be able to recommend a laser eye surgeon.

There are NHS run laser eye clinics which have reputable surgeons. You will still have to pay for treatment but be assured that the treatment will be of a high standard.

Check that your proposed surgeon is a registered member of the General Medical Council (GMC), a Fellow/Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists or the Royal College of Surgeons.

You want to be certain that you find a specialist eye surgeon or consultant ophthalmologist. This is someone who spent many years in their field and has published numerous papers and articles.

The Internet is an ideal place to search for a clinic although you will have to sift through numerous ones until you find one that suits you. Well known names include Ultralase, Optimax, Accuvision and London Vision Clinic.

Check to see if the clinic is registered with The Healthcare Commission. Is it a member of the Laser Eye Association? This association is responsible for ‘best practice’ in laser eye surgery.

It is a good idea to draw up a shortlist of clinics and surgeons. Prepare a list of questions beforehand and interview each surgeon in turn. Only when you are satisfied with the answers can you consider making a decision.

Arrange an initial consultation (this will be free) to see if this suits you.

How long will I be off work?

This depends on the procedure. If you have had LASIK then allow 2 to 3 days. If you had LASEK then allow 3 to 6 days and if you’ve had PRK then allow a week or so.

Every patient is different when it comes to recovery. Your surgeon will be able to advise you about this.

I have a driving job so how long before I can return to work?

Your surgeon will be able to advise you about this. Your progress will be monitored via the aftercare visits and here you will find out when you can return to driving.

Can I talk to other people who’ve had laser eye surgery?

It can help to speak to other patients who have undergone this procedure. Your clinic will have a database of patients and you can ask to speak to a few of these.

Are there waiting lists for laser eye surgery?

Laser vision surgery is becoming more popular all the time which means that you will have to wait. However, we are not talking about a period of months; you will find that most clinics will aim to see you within a week.

If they are very busy then you will have to wait for a week or two.