Eye Laser Treatments: FAQ

Laser eye treatment is a surgical procedure to correct refractive errors in the eye by applying laser beams on the cornea (transparent layer of the eye). It is used to treat vision problems such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia.

iLASIK is a bladeless laser surgery procedure used to treat eye defects. Vision is corrected by creating a flap on the cornea with a laser and changing the shape of the cornea. This procedure offers a short recovery period.

LASEK and PRK are traditional laser treatment methods. In PRK the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed before the laser is applied and grows back within a few days, while in LASEK this layer is loosened, moved aside and laid back after the laser. Both methods are used in the treatment of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

Laser treatment is not a bleeding operation because it is performed on the cornea, which is a non-vascular tissue of the eye. Laser treatment is a painless eye surgery performed under anaesthetic eye drops.

Stinging and watering may occur for up to 6 hours after laser surgeries such as Intralase-LASIK and LASIK, which are performed by creating a flap in the cornea in the first stage. Pain may be experienced for the first 3 days after laser operations such as LASEK and PRK which are performed after peeling the eye surface. After LASEK, PRK operations, a protective contact lens is applied to the eye after laser to reduce this pain.

Laser treatment is performed to eliminate astigmatism along with myopia and hyperopia.

After iLASIK and SMILE you can usually go to work the next day; after surface laser treatments such as LASEK and PRK this can take 3-4 days. It is as important as the operation itself that you take your medication regularly as recommended by your doctor. We recommend that you wear sunglasses as the sun's rays can be uncomfortable. You can do all your sports and social activities such as hiking, cycling, aerobics. You can board an aeroplane. However, you should not swim in the pool or sea for about 20 days to avoid infection. After the first month, if you wish, you can start wearing cosmetic coloured lenses.

iLASIK and No Touch laser cost £550 per eye, ReLEx SMILE PRO costs £995 per eye. The method that suits your eyes is confirmed after your examination; all packages are shown on our price list page.

Laser surgery does not prevent any future eye treatment.

Patients who use hard contact lenses should stop using lenses 2 weeks in advance and those who use soft contact lenses 5 days in advance. Employees are advised to take a few days off. Come at your appointment time given to you on the day of Lasik surgery. Lasik procedure takes approximately 5-10 minutes for 2 eyes. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes on the day of surgery. At the same time, make-up should not be applied.

Laser operations are determined according to the eye structure and prescription of the person. As a result of the pre-laser examinations, people who are suitable for laser are treated with laser treatment methods that are most suitable for their eye structure and will provide high success.

Laser can be applied at any prescription for which a person needs glasses and does not want to wear them, if the eye structure is suitable.

The majority of patients can perform their daily activities without wearing glasses after laser application. Prescriptions of 0.5 dioptres and below are values that do not require the use of glasses. Remaining a visual defect in this range after laser treatment is perceived as successful.

After 10-15 years, a small new prescription of around -0.50 or -0.75 can develop. However, the old high prescription will not return.

Argon Laser is a technology used in the treatment of retinal diseases using a blue-green wavelength laser beam. Laser beams focus on a specific part of the eye and treat the cells with the effect of heat, allowing a precise treatment without damaging the surrounding tissues.

Argon Laser is used mainly for retinal tears and holes, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, where it can stop or slow the progression of the disease. Whether it is suitable for your eye is decided after a detailed examination.

Argon Laser treatment is usually completed in a very short time. After the treatment, the patient can return to normal life on the same day and the healing process is very fast and comfortable.

iLASIK is a laser surgery procedure used to correct refractive errors in the eye. With Wavefront technology, a 3D map of the eye is created and a personalised treatment plan is created. Femtosecond laser is used to create a flap on the cornea and vision is corrected.

iLASIK treatment can be applied to individuals over 18 who have had no change in prescription in the last 12 months, have sufficient corneal thickness and do not have health problems such as diabetes. Over the age of 45, lens options are also considered.

Firstly, a 3D map of the eye is made. Then the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops and a flap is created in the cornea with a femtosecond laser. The shape of the cornea is then corrected using the laser beam.

i-LASIK surgery usually takes 5-10 minutes for both eyes. This time may be shorter if the procedure is performed for only one eye.

iLASIK is effective in the treatment of eye defects such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The treatment aims to eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses.

The recovery process after i-LASIK is usually fast. Most patients are back at work and to their normal activities the next day. Vision becomes sharp within 1-2 days and fully settles within about a month.

No pain is usually felt during iLASIK surgery. Because the eye is numbed by applying anaesthetic drops before the procedure. There may be a small feeling of discomfort, but pain is usually absent.

Visual recovery usually begins within a few hours after surgery. Vision becomes sharp within 1-2 days and fully settles within about a month; results may vary according to individual eye structure.

Wavefront technology is a system that maps the optical surfaces of the eye in 3D. This technology enables accurate identification of defects in the eye and personalises the treatment plan.

iLASIK is a very safe treatment method when performed by a specialised and experienced ophthalmologist. It has high success rates and minimal risk of complications.

After the operation, rubbing the eyes should be avoided and the eyes should be protected with protective glasses. In addition, eye drops recommended by the doctor should be used regularly.

Pregnant women, nursing mothers, those whose prescription has changed in the last 12 months and individuals who do not have sufficient corneal thickness cannot undergo i-LASIK.

i-LASIK treatment offers advantages such as fast recovery time, low risk of complications and permanent vision correction. It also eliminates the need for glasses and contact lenses.

i-LASIK treatment provides long-term results. Most patients can permanently discontinue the use of glasses or contact lenses and achieve a significant improvement in the quality of vision.

LASEK is a laser treatment method used to correct refractive errors in the eye. During the operation, the epithelial tissue is removed with softening medication and the cornea is shaped using an excimer laser. This method is frequently used in the treatment of myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia.

LASEK has the advantages of a low risk of complications and permanent results, although recovery takes longer than with iLASIK. It is also considered a very safe method as the corneal structure is not disturbed.

LASEK treatment can be applied to all patients over 18 whose eye structure is suitable; for those over 45, lens options are also considered. Treatment can be performed in cases where the refractive error in the eye is fixed and the corneal thickness is sufficient.

In LASEK treatment, the epithelium is first removed with tissue softening medication and then the cornea is shaped with excimer laser. The epithelium is restored after the treatment.

PRK (Photo Refractive Keratectomy) is the process of softening and stripping the epithelial layer on the cornea and then reshaping the cornea with excimer laser. No flap is created in the cornea with this method.

With PRK no flap is created in the cornea, so more corneal tissue is preserved. The surface layer that is removed grows back within a few days.

In No Touch laser treatment, treatment is applied with a laser beam without touching the eye surface. This method is used in the treatment of myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia and patients do not feel pain during the procedure.

In No Touch laser treatment, anaesthetic drops are instilled into the eye and laser beams are applied directly to the eye. This procedure is completed in a very short time without contact with the device.

In PRK, the epithelial layer on the cornea is softened and scraped off, whereas in No Touch laser, the surface of the eye is not touched and the laser beams are applied directly. Healing times are similar and vary from person to person.

After LASEK surgery, vision is fully recovered within 2-4 weeks. There may be mild discomfort in the first few days, but the quality of vision improves quickly.

After PRK treatment you can usually return to daily life within 3-4 days, and full recovery takes 2-4 weeks.

LASEK removes the epithelial tissue on the cornea by softening it, while in PRK this tissue is scraped off and allowed to grow back. Healing times and success rates are similar for both methods, and recovery varies from person to person.

SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) is a laser treatment to reduce eye pressure. This treatment aims to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing the drainage of fluid in the eye. Eye pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss.

In SLT treatment, the laser beam is applied to the trabecular meshwork in the front of the eye. This laser beam reduces eye pressure by allowing the fluid in the eye to drain more easily. The procedure is completed in minutes and the effect is soon visible.

SLT can be used as a first treatment for high eye pressure or glaucoma, or in addition to drops when eye drops or medication are not enough. It is also an effective alternative treatment method for patients for whom surgical intervention is not recommended.

The recovery process after SLT treatment is very fast. Most patients return to their normal life within 1-2 days. The fall in eye pressure begins in the first weeks, and the full effect is usually seen within one to three months.

SLT treatment is generally suitable for people with eye pressure problems. However, suitability for treatment is determined after examination by the ophthalmologist.

No. The procedure is done with numbing eye drops and you feel no pain during it, only mild pressure. For a few hours afterwards there can be stinging, watering and sensitivity to light, and that usually passes the same day.

In LASIK a flap is cut in the front surface of the cornea and the tissue beneath it is thinned with an excimer laser. In ReLEx SMILE PRO no flap is cut; a femtosecond laser forms a thin piece of tissue inside the cornea and that piece is removed through a single incision a few millimetres wide. The corneal surface is largely left alone.

The method was developed for myopia and the astigmatism that goes with it, and that is where it is routinely used. For patients with hyperopia alone, other methods such as iLASIK or intraocular lens options are considered instead.

Most patients return to their usual routine after the next-day check-up. If you work in a dusty environment, or your job means long hours on a screen, your surgeon may ask you to wait a few more days.

The change made to the shape of the cornea is permanent. The eye does keep changing with age, though: difficulty with near vision after forty (presbyopia) and cataract developing in later years are separate conditions and are assessed separately.

Yes, both eyes are treated in the same session as standard. If your examination shows something that calls for a different plan, your surgeon will discuss it with you.

YAG laser treatment is a laser treatment method used to remove posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery. The laser beams are focused on the cloudy posterior capsule and create a small opening in its centre, which restores clear vision.

YAG laser treatment is particularly suitable for patients who have had cataract surgery and have developed opacification of the posterior capsule (posterior capsular opacity). It may not be suitable for every patient, so the ophthalmologist will assess the suitability.