If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you may wonder about permanent solutions to restore your vision without the need for corrective lenses.

Laser eye surgery, which uses lasers to re-shape your cornea, is one option that you may wish to consider. There are many advantages to this type of corrective procedure, although it is not suitable for everyone. Your optometrist will be able to advise on whether or not laser eye surgery is an appropriate solution for you, and talk you through the relative risks and benefits of the procedure.

What does laser eye surgery involve?

Laser eye surgery is a permanent procedure that corrects your vision by changing the shape of your cornea.It can be used to correct a range of different vision issues related to your eyes' ability to refract light, including nearsightedness and farsightedness. In many cases, it is even suitable for people with astigmatism. If you are considering laser eye surgery, you will first need to book an appointment with your optometrist, who will carry out initial testing and refer you to a surgeon if you are a candidate for the procedure.

Next, you will need to meet with your eye surgeon for a further examination. At this time, measurements of your eyes will be taken, and you can discuss the specifics of the surgery. On the day of the procedure, you will find that the surgery itself takes only a few minutes and the recovery time is relatively quick. You may, however, experience temporary blurred vision and should not drive until it has been restored.

Who is a good candidate for laser eye surgery?

It is important to note that while laser eye surgery has tremendous benefits, it is not for everyone.Those who choose to go through with the procedure should be over 18, and in good general health. Importantly, your vision should be relatively stable - many people experience changes to their prescription into their mid-to-late 20s.

You will also need to let your optometrist know if you are currently taking any prescription drugs, as certain medication - including some acne treatments - can interfere with the procedure. It is important to tell your optometrist if you have a history of dry eyes, as this can affect the outcome of the surgery. Laser eye surgery is not suitable for pregnant or nursing women.

What happens after my surgery?

Immediately after your surgery, you should have someone else drive you home and spend the day relaxing, if possible. Your surgeon will likely ask to you to return the next day for a follow-up appointment and you should find that any blurred vision you experienced immediately after the surgery clears up relatively quickly. Your surgeon may recommend that you take a few days off of work, and you will be asked to avoid swimming and hot tubs for a 14-day period following your surgery.

If you regularly exercise or play sports, you will need to discuss when you can resume these activities with your optometrist or surgeon.It is also important to bear in mind that it may take up to a few months for your vision to completely stabilise after your procedure. Another thing to note is that you may still require corrective lenses for reading in your 40s or 50s if you have laser eye surgery to correct your distance vision.

If you have questions or concerns about the procedure, make an appointment with your optometrist to discuss your options and decide how best to proceed. Laser eye surgery is a permanent procedure to correct your vision.