Category: General

There are three main types of laser eye surgery: LASIK, PRK and SMILE.

LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery. It involves creating a small flap on the surface of the eye, which is lifted up to expose the underlying surface. This area is then lasered to change the curvature. The eye flap is then replaced and moulds to the eye’s new shape, instantly changing your vision.

PRK is a surface-based laser treatment that lasers the surface of the eye directly into the new shape. Unfortunately, this surgery takes a little longer to heal and the results are more variable.

The final type of laser eye surgery is called SMILE. This involves cutting the corneal tissue under the eye’s surface. A small section of tissue is then manually removed. This moulds the surface of the eye to the desired new shape. SMILE heals in a similar way to LASIK.

The choice of which type of laser eye surgery to have is typically made by your surgeon. The choice is based on the characteristics of your eye and your refractive error. LASIK is the best option for most refractive errors and a full range of long-sightedness, myopia and astigmatism. PRK is mainly used for low levels of refractive error or if you have other problems such as thin corneas. SMILE is only available for moderate or severe short-sightedness. It’s not recommended for other eye conditions as the results can be varied.

Unfortunately, laser eye surgery is not covered by Medicare as it is considered lifestyle surgery. It is covered to a variable extent by some private health insurances, including Bupa, Medibank, AHM, Defence Health, Navy Health and HBF. We also provide finance options.

Yes, patients are awake during the LASIK procedure. They are given a light sedative pre-operatively and local anesthetic eye drops to numb the eye surface. LASIK is a minor procedure, meaning you don’t need to be admitted to the hospital and can go home immediately after surgery.

Most people can return to normal work duties two days after laser eye surgery. This includes the day of the surgery and and next day after review. However, returning to work depends on the type of work you do. If you are engaged in manual labour or in a dusty environment, it may be advised to take a few extra days off following surgery. You may require sunglasses for a when working outside because of light sensitivity.

A medical certificate can be arranged by LASIK staff.

There is no age limit for laser eye surgery. However, older individuals often have other eye conditions that prevent clear vision such as cataracts. Often these older patients can achieve clear vision through cataract removal and lens implant surgery. If they’ve had this surgery already, but are still unhappy with their quality of vision then laser vision correction can be performed on top of their lens implant.

Other eye conditions such as macular degeneration aren’t able to be fixed with laser eye surgery. Laser vision correction changes the eye’s focus to enable people to see as well or better without glasses. If you can’t see well with glasses their might be other problems with your eyes.