FAQs

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a surgical procedure that can correct for refractive errors including short-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism (an imperfection in the eye’s curvature that distorts vision). PRK can reduce or eliminate the need to wear.

In general PRK is most suited to people:

  • Aged over 21–40,
  • With a prescription that has been stable for the past 12 months, and
  • With thin or irregular cornea/s – PRK is most suited to people who are ineligible for LASIK or SMILE, due to a thin or irregular corneal surface. This is because PRK maintains corneal integrity and vision correction is limited to the outer layers.

PRK uses laser to remove the front layer of cells on the cornea known as the epithelium. At WRLEI we use sophisticated Schwind Amaris Trans PRK technology which does not require suction, a blade, the use of alcohol or the creation of a corneal flap. This touch-free procedure is non-invasive, safe, and gentle to the eye. We then use Schwind Amaris laser technology to precisely reshape the cornea without the need for alcohol or manual intervention. Vision correction is limited to the outer layers of the cornea, which aids comfort during the recovery process and speeds up healing time.

LASIK uses computer-guided light-pulse technology to create a thin flap of corneal tissue which is lifted to enable the cornea to be precisely re-shaped using a second laser. The flap is resettled on the corneal bed, allowing healing to begin immediately with no sutures required.

SMILE keyhole surgery is a fast, accurate bladeless, one-step procedure. The surgeon creates a 3mm opening in the cornea then manually removes a precisely measured disc of corneal tissue (lenticule) through the incision. This changes the shape of the cornea and eliminates short-sightedness and astigmatism up to a certain limit.

LASIK and SMILE offer a faster, more comfortable recovery than PRK, however LASIK and SMILE are not suitable for people with a thin or irregular corneal surface. The visual outcome following PRK is excellent and there is a lower incidence of ocular dryness (dry eye) which can occur with other procedures.

The entire PRK laser procedure takes just a few minutes for each eye, however you will be in the laser suite for around one hour.

While recovery time varies, most patients are able to return to work and continue regular daily activities after five days. Vision will gradually improve as your eyes heal after surgery, with a significant improvement noticeable in the first week, followed by further more gradual improvement.

After PRK you may experience:

  • Mild to severe pain in the first 48-72 hours after surgery,
  • A gritty, stingy sensation,
  • Excessive eye watering,
  • Sensitivity to light, and
  • Blurry vision during the first three to four days, becoming clearer by the end of the first week. Your vision may take three to six months to recover, depending on the healing process.

Upon discharge from the surgery, you will be given prescription eye drops, sleeping tablets and pain relief medication. Local anaesthetic eye drops will also be provided to relieve pain.

Most people are legally able to drive a car without glasses or contact lenses following recovery from PRK. You are required, by law, to attend the Roads and Maritime Service following surgery to have your licence endorsed for driving without spectacles or contact lenses if you meet the visual acuity criteria.

Please do not drive immediately after your procedure – having had surgery and medication, you must wait at least 24 hours and until adequate vision returns. Your surgeon will provide further advice.

To protect your eyes, do not wash your hair for 24 hours after the procedure and avoid makeup, soap, shampoo and water in the eye for one week.

Do not rub your eyes, swim or play contact sports for two weeks. Do not ski for four weeks.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a fast, accurate, keyhole procedure that aims to correct a high degree of short-sightedness and astigmatism. This minimally invasive laser procedure has been performed over one million times worldwide. It can reduce or eliminate the need to wear spectacles or contact lenses.

In general SMILE surgery is most suited to people:

  • Aged over 21,
  • Who are myopic (short sighted) or have astigmatism,
  • With a prescription that has been stable for the past 12 months, and
  • With a healthy, regular shaped cornea.

Additionally, SMILE may be suitable for people:

  • Who have previously been told they don't meet the criteria for LASIK,
  • Who suffer dry eyes (the procedure has less impact on the corneal nerves),
  • Who want to return to contact sports as soon as possible (due to keyhole surgery, the corneal incision heals quickly compared to LASIK, which requires creation and healing of a corneal flap).

SMILE keyhole surgery is a fast, accurate bladeless, one-step procedure. The surgeon creates a 3mm opening in the cornea then manually removes a precisely measured disc of corneal tissue (lenticule) through the incision. This changes the shape of the cornea and eliminates short-sightedness and astigmatism up to a certain limit.

LASIK uses computer-guided light-pulse technology to create a thin flap of corneal tissue which is lifted to enable the cornea to be precisely re-shaped using a second laser. The flap is resettled on the corneal bed, allowing healing to begin immediately with no sutures required.

PRK uses laser to remove the front layer of cells on the cornea known as the epithelium. At WRLEI we use sophisticated Schwind Amaris Trans PRK technology which does not require suction, a blade, the use of alcohol or the creation of a corneal flap. This touch-free procedure is non-invasive, safe, and gentle to the eye. We then use Schwind Amaris laser technology to precisely reshape the cornea without the need for alcohol or manual intervention. Vision correction is limited to the outer layers of the cornea, which aids comfort during the recovery process and speeds up healing time.

LASIK and SMILE offer a faster, more comfortable recovery than PRK, however LASIK and SMILE are not suitable for people with a thin or irregular corneal surface. The visual outcome following PRK is excellent and there is a lower incidence of ocular dryness (dry eye) which can occur with other procedures.

The SMILE procedure takes just a few minutes for each eye, however you will be at the laser surgery for approximately two hours.

Although you will probably be able to see well the next day, it generally takes a few weeks for vision to stabilise. However, you will be able to return to work and resume driving two to three days after surgery.

After SMILE surgery you may experience:

  • Immediately after surgery, your vision will be like looking through a frosted glass window,
  • Gritty, occasionally painful, and watery eyes,
  • Light sensitivity for approximately one week,
  • You may see haloes around lights,
  • Your vision will fluctuate over the first three to four weeks, however, you should always maintain a reasonable level of vision, and
  • You may find your near and distance vision will heal differently.

Most people are legally able to drive a car without glasses or contact lenses following recovery from SMILE surgery. You are required, by law, to attend the Roads and Maritime Service following surgery to have your licence endorsed for driving without spectacles or contact lenses if you meet the visual acuity criteria.

Please do not drive immediately after your procedure – having had surgery and medication, you must wait at least 24 hours and until adequate vision returns. Your surgeon will provide further advice.

To protect your eyes, do not wash your hair for 24 hours after the procedure and avoid makeup, soap, shampoo and water in the eye for one week.

Do not rub your eyes, swim or play contact sports for two weeks. Do not ski for four weeks.

You will be more comfortable if you wear sunglasses when outside for a few days following your surgery.

Laser Refractive Surgery (LASIK) is a precise surgical procedure which uses two different lasers to correct near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism. This common procedure, which aims to reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses, has been performed over 10 million times globally.

In general LASIK surgery is most suited to people:

  • Aged 20–45,
  • With a prescription that has been stable for the past 12 months, and
  • With a healthy cornea of adequate thickness.

LASIK uses computer-guided light-pulse technology to create a thin flap of corneal tissue which is lifted to enable the cornea to be precisely re-shaped using a second laser. The flap is resettled on the corneal bed, allowing healing to begin immediately with no sutures required.

SMILE keyhole surgery is a fast, accurate bladeless, one-step procedure. The surgeon creates a 3mm opening in the cornea then manually removes a precisely measured disc of corneal tissue (lenticule) through the incision. This changes the shape of the cornea and eliminates short-sightedness and astigmatism up to a certain limit.

PRK uses laser to remove the front layer of cells on the cornea known as the epithelium. At WRLEI we use sophisticated Schwind Amaris Trans PRK technology which does not require suction, a blade, the use of alcohol or the creation of a corneal flap. This touch-free procedure is non-invasive, safe, and gentle to the eye. We then use Schwind Amaris laser technology to precisely reshape the cornea without the need for alcohol or manual intervention. Vision correction is limited to the outer layers of the cornea, which aids comfort during the recovery process and speeds up healing time.

LASIK and SMILE offer a faster, more comfortable recovery than PRK, however LASIK and SMILE are not suitable for people with a thin or irregular corneal surface. The visual outcome following PRK is excellent and there is a lower incidence of ocular dryness (dry eye) which can occur with other procedures.

The entire LASIK procedure takes just 20 minutes however you will be in the laser suite for around two hours.

It’s likely that you will be ready to return to the majority of daily activities the day after surgery, however you will experience fluctuations in vision for the first week following LASIK.

Soon after LASIK surgery you may experience:

  • Sticky, gritty eyes,
  • Excessive eye watering, and
  • Glare sensitivity.
  • Significant pain is rare.

Most people are legally able to drive a car without glasses or contact lenses following recovery from LASIK surgery. You are required, by law, to attend the Roads and Maritime Service following surgery to have your licence endorsed for driving without spectacles or contact lenses if you meet the visual acuity criteria.

Please do not drive immediately after your procedure – having had surgery and medication, you must wait at least 24 hours and until adequate vision returns. Your surgeon will provide further advice.

To protect your eyes, do not wash your hair for 24 hours after the procedure and avoid makeup, soap, shampoo and water in the eye for one week.

Do not rub your eyes, swim or play contact sports for two weeks. Do not ski for four weeks.

You will be more comfortable if you wear sunglasses when outside for a few days following your surgery.