Laser Eye Surgery in London

If you do not want to use glasses or contacts and consider laser eye surgery, Medstar Best Laser Eye Surgery Clinic in London should be on your short list. As one of the leading clinics for laser eye surgery in London, we have improved the vision of our many patients without glasses or contact lenses. 

Medstar Ophthalmology (Eye) Clinic offers clinical excellence. The surgeons on our team are skilled and have years of experience performing many different laser eye surgeries to fix such vision errors as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

As one of London's most trusted providers, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the procedure. We will cover some of the most common questions you may have regarding laser eye surgery and why Medstar is the top destination for those considering the life-altering procedure. 

Finally, you will learn what exactly takes place during laser eye surgery, how long it lasts, and whether laser eye surgery is a safe investment for better eyesight. By the end of this post you may decide whether laser eye surgery is a good option for you and why our clinic always delivers the best laser eye surgery in London. Let’s start by understanding laser eye surgery!

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, is a safe and effective procedure that uses a laser to shape the cornea and restore vision. Medstar Clinic performs several different types of laser eye surgery procedures, including LASIK, LASEK, and PRK.

• The most commonly used and marketed laser eye surgery is LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis). In LASIK, a surgeon tears open the cornea with a laser to remake it. This flap is then removed, so the injury heals quickly.

• LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) mimics LASIK but does not leave a flap behind. Rather, the surgeon strips the cornea clean with an alcohol solution and then reshapes it with the laser.

• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) was the first laser eye surgery to be developed. In PRK, the surgeon flattens the cornea using a laser without a flap. PRK normally requires a longer recovery time than LASIK or LASEK but might be used in individuals who do not meet the criteria for flap-based treatments.

All three procedures work to correct common visual problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea so light will hit the retina correctly. Those with glare or contact lenses should opt for laser eye surgery, as it can maintain sight for years afterward.

How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

It takes between 15-30 minutes to perform the laser eye surgery depending on the type and severity of the vision disorder. Here are the basic steps:

• The eye is anaesthetised to ease discomfort during the operation.

• LASIK and LASEK are surgical procedures that cut a very thin flap into the cornea with a microkeratome or laser.

• An excimer laser reshapes the cornea by vaporising small patches of tissue to reshape it. It is an easy and accurate task.

• Eye drops, ointments, and sometimes temporary contact lenses are then applied to promote healing and avoid infection or dryness.

• Vision improves gradually as the cornea recovers, but generally in a few days or weeks (depending on the procedure), most people can see again.

The entire process is monitored using high-tech diagnostic tools for the highest levels of safety, precision, and outcomes. Laser eye surgery results in virtually all individuals having clear vision, without glasses or contacts.

How Long Does Laser Eye Surgery Last?

On average, patients with laser eye surgery see an improvement within 10-15 years of the surgery, before requiring reading glasses or undergoing enhancement procedures. But variables such as age, the strength of the medication used prior to surgery, and lifestyle can also influence long-term results.

Patients who have it younger than 40 are also more likely to be able to see clearly without glasses or contacts for longer than those who have it later in life. Biological stressors such as long hours staring at tiny digital screens or prolonged unprotected sunbathing might make the eyes rotate even faster over time.

While presbyopia or normal ageing will ultimately require most individuals to wear reading glasses, even with laser eye surgery, many patients find they can still see well in the distance 10 years after the procedure and need only over-the-counter reading glasses rather than stronger prescription lenses.

We might be able to perform enhancement procedures for patients who lose their vision again after a few years of the original surgery. In most cases, with laser eye surgery you can see clearly for 10 years or more and without having to wear glasses or contacts every day.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Safe?

In the hands of an experienced eye surgeon, laser eye surgery is extremely safe, and major complications are extremely uncommon today. You should consider the following risks:

• Dry eyes—usually patients report some dryness or itchiness in their eyes at the time of surgery, which normally subsides after a few months.

• Infections are low when pre- and post-operative care is administered, but infections are moderate.

• Under- or over-correction—in some rare instances, the operation may undercorrect or overcorrect the vision, necessitating an improvement.

• Disabilities of best-corrected vision—one in 10,000 patients loses two or more lines of best-corrected vision as a result of surgery.

• Vision loss after surgery—the majority of patients will continue to require reading glasses at a later age, even after successful surgery.

Laser eye surgery is a relatively safe procedure if it is performed by a skilled surgeon at a well-known clinic such as Medstar Clinic. Even so, patients should inform their surgeon of any preexisting medical conditions or risk factors prior to surgery.

Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?

Using eye drops to numb your eyes beforehand, laser eye surgery is usually not painful for most patients. Here is a breakdown of comfort levels:

• In the operating room—the majority can experience pressure but no discomfort with the instruments as the eyes remain numb. Some report mild stinging from the laser.

• The same day—eyes are tired, dry, sensitive to light. Pills usually dispel any mild pain.

• Progression—the dry, itchy eyes may last several days but are not painful. Applying prescription eye drops as instructed accelerates recovery.

• Long term—there is no postoperative pain. Only when patients wear glasses or contacts do they experience improved vision.

While slight stinging or irritation may occur during recovery, sharp pain that demands a powerful painkiller is uncommon in successfully carried out laser eye surgery. The numbing drops mean that no pain occurs during the procedure itself. Patient satisfaction is high, as the dependency on glasses or contacts is quickly removed and the visual function is improved.

Our surgeons use the most advanced lasers to deliver safe and reliable vision correction to patients in London and nearby cities. To get more information on laser eye surgery or to request a consultation, please contact Medstar Clinic online or by phone today. 

You can easily book an appointment with our Eye Clinic via our website or the Medstar app. The Medstar app can be downloaded both on the Google Play Store and App Store. Additionally, by downloading our app you can also access your results and prescriptions online! 

Who is Not Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery?

Not everyone can have laser eye surgery. Several medical conditions can keep someone from receiving the surgery. Generally speaking, individuals who are not suitable for laser eye surgery are:

• Patients with unstable eye disorders: Patients with corneal, retinal, or other eye disease are ineligible for the procedure until their condition has been managed or corrected. This includes diseases such as keratoconus or chronic dry eye.

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Procedures are delayed until the completion of pregnancy/nursing for fear of harming a developing foetus or newborn baby.

• Realistic expectations: Laser eye surgery is not going to deliver 20/20 vision for all patients, so perfectionists may be disappointed. The objective is simply a step up from glasses or contact lenses.

• Unnaturally low tear production: Dry eyes are contraindicated as they hinder healing. Proper tear production is critical before and after surgery.

Our doctors conduct a thorough eye examination and consultation to determine if the patient’s vision and requirements meet the requirements for laser eye surgery. Anyone with any concerns can be put on a waiting list or told that they do not qualify.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Permanent?

With most patients, the results of laser eye surgery are irreversible, as the alterations to the eye in the course of treatment do not, in most people, go back over time. But there are a few things that could influence long-term stability:

• Change in age: As we get older, we develop presbyopia that may require reading glasses. That is the ageing process, not the surgery.

• Retreatments: If the vision has worsened over years in very few instances, an enhancement operation is sometimes required. It only occurs in a small minority of patients.

• Refractive error can change later: An eye condition such as cataracts may develop later in life and change your prescription. These dangers are there, though, whether you have already undergone laser surgery or not.

• Damage: If the eyes were severely injured after surgery, this may influence long-term outcomes. Activities at home are rarely an issue.

Many never need glasses or contacts, and they can continue to see clearly for decades after their treatment at Medstar Ophthalmology, Eye Health, and Eye Diseases in London Clinic. We stand behind our work and provide lifetime enhancement discounts if required.

Can You Get Laser Eye Surgery with Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a relatively common refractive error that affects nearly a third of the population. The good news is that laser eye surgery is quite effective in treating nearsightedness/farsightedness and astigmatism all at once. 

Our surgeons have years of experience performing individualised laser treatments to smoothen the cornea and correct astigmatism. After a complete preoperative assessment, it will be possible to determine if your degree and cylinder of astigmatism fall within the normal range and can be corrected with laser eye surgery. 

Results are excellent in most patients with low or moderate astigmatism. For larger quantities, results are good, but some residual correction may require glasses. Combining astigmatism correction with nearsightedness/farsightedness correction will result in patients receiving perfect vision without glasses or contacts.

This makes laser eye surgery the ideal long-term treatment for patients who already require a prescription to see properly due to refractive error and astigmatism. Ask for a consultation with one of our surgeons to see if you are a candidate.

Can Laser Eye Surgery Fix Astigmatism?

As one of the leading providers of laser eye surgery in London, we carry out some of the most advanced treatments to treat astigmatism. Our surgeons can reshape the cornea with the latest excimer laser technology in a process known as LASIK, removing distortions due to this common refractive error.

These lasers can precisely sculpt the flat and steep meridians of the cornea to create a flawlessly smooth surface for optimal visual performance. This particular strategy "corrects" the eye’s focus and minimises or eliminates the effects of astigmatism.

Patients often observe a difference in their visual clarity immediately following surgery, whether they have glasses or not. And in the great majority of cases, research shows that the correction stays constant over the long term.

Although some residual astigmatism may occur, even mild amounts are generally well tolerated with glasses. Request your consultation to see if you are an ideal candidate for a final goodbye to astigmatism with laser eye surgery.

Laser Eye Surgery Near Me in London

If you have been thinking about laser eye surgery and are looking for a surgeon you can trust close to home, visit Medstar London Eye Clinic: Ophthalmology Services. We are London’s premier laser eye surgery clinic, and we try to accommodate local and international patients as best we can.

Our brand-new facility is near a few major transportation hubs. This central position means that no matter where you live in the city, it is a short drive. You can check out our “Travel and Parking” page for more details. We also provide evening and weekend appointments to suit busy lives.

Every step from your first consultation to surgery and recovery visits is carefully orchestrated to keep disruption to your life at a minimum. Most patients are back to work within a day or two and experience minimal pain during the fast healing process.

Our surgeons have years of experience performing a variety of custom laser eye treatments based on each patient’s prescription and ocular health concerns. We guarantee that you will receive the best care and service every step of the way.

You want to transform your life through the power of clear vision and search for “Eye Clinics Close to Me in London”? Contact us today and set up an appointment online for a complimentary in-person consultation to determine whether you are suitable for laser eye surgery. Medstar Clinic takes great pride in providing each patient with the highest level of care.

Make an appointment with one of Medstar Clinic's eye surgeons to explore your options. We can analyse your eyes, your medications, and your objectives to determine the corrective or alternative surgery that will best suit you. Take the first step toward clear vision without glasses or contacts with Medstar today!

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