LASIK surgery

LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) is an operation that uses a laser to correct your vision by changing the thickness of your cornea.

The cornea is the transparent (clear), dome-shaped outer layer in front of the black pupil and coloured iris.

The aim of LASIK is to correct your vision so you do not need to wear glasses or contact lenses.

The operation is usually performed under a local anaesthetic given as eye drops. The operation usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes.

Your surgeon will use a laser to cut a flap in the two thin outer layers of your cornea. They will fold the flap back to show the thick middle layer (stroma). Your surgeon will use a laser to reshape the stroma according to your prescription. They will place the flap back in position. The flap will heal onto the stroma.

Non-surgical alternatives

• glasses
• contact lenses

Surgical alternatives

• natural lens replacement. The surgery is the same as cataract surgery
• phakic intraocular lens implant. With this procedure, the natural lens is not replaced. Instead, an artificial lens is implanted in front of your natural lens
• other laser eye surgery techniques (including LASEK, PRK and SMILE)

You will need to continue to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. Your surgeon may be able to recommend an alternative operation, such as lens replacement or a different laser technique.

Lifestyle changes

Regular exercise should help to prepare you for the operation, help you to recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Speak to the healthcare team about any vaccinations you might need to reduce your risk of serious illness while you recover. When you come into hospital, practise hand washing and wear a face covering when asked.

Keeping in the same position

You will need to lie still and flat during the operation. If you cannot lie still and flat, let your surgeon know.

The laser platform will be positioned above your face but there will be enough space for you to breathe. Let your surgeon know if you are claustrophobic (afraid of being in small spaces).

The healthcare team will try to reduce the risk of complications.

Any numbers which relate to risk are from studies of people who have had this operation. Your doctor may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for you.

Some complications can be serious.

General complications of any operation

• Bleeding on the outside of your eye during or after the operation.
• Infection, which may cause blurred vision or even permanent loss of vision.
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.

Specific complications of this operation

• Rarely it may not be possible for your surgeon to create the flap. The operation will be changed (converted) to a LASEK procedure, which involves using ethanol to remove the outer layers of your cornea.
• Swelling or inflammation of the cornea.
• Under-correction or over-correction. As your eyes heal from the operation, your prescription may return to what it was before surgery.
• Reduction in your best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).
• Droopy eyelid.
• 'Floaters' or hazy vision.
• Double vision. This usually gets better, but if the problem continues, you may need treatment with special glasses, injections or another operation. Double vision can be permanent.
• Dry eyes, irritation or a burning sensation. This usually gets better after 3 months, but can continue for more than a year.
• Light sensitivity and reduced ability to tell the difference between similar shades of light and dark.
• Blurred vision, headaches and night vision problems. This can be corrected with glasses or another procedure.
• Night vision problems in people with large pupils.
• Differences between the two eyes (if only one eye is corrected). This can cause headaches, dizziness, poor judgement of distances, and difficulty with reading, close-up work, driving and sports.
• Thinning and weakness of the cornea. This is more common in patients who have an abnormally shaped cornea before surgery.
• Retinal detachment. This is when one of the layers at the back of your eye is lifted off by the suction device.
• Posterior vitreous detachment. This is when the gel within your eye is pulled away by the suction device. Your vision should correct itself after 1 or 2 minutes.
• Infection of the cornea. This can cause blurred vision, pain or eye redness.

Consequences of this procedure

• Pain.

You should be able to go home the same day.

Your surgeon will tell you when you can return to normal activities.

Your vision should improve after 2 days but the final results can take up to 6 months.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

LASIK is a surgical procedure to improve your eyesight.