Refractive Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

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→ Is it a good idea to have eye surgery in summer?

Any time is the right time for eye surgery if the patient needs it. However, patients should bear in mind that if they have surgery during summer, they will need to avoid swimming in pools or the sea for the first 15 days of recovery. The chlorine in swimming pools may cause chemical conjunctivitis or an inflammatory reaction that would be more serious than in a normal eye as the tear film won’t be stable on an eye that has recently undergone surgery.

→ After refractive laser surgery will I be able to see better than with my glasses or contact lenses?

The objective of refractive surgery is to remove your dependence on corrective lenses by achieving the same visual acuity. The best vision that a patient is able to achieve with glasses and contact lenses is also the best vision they can expect after refractive surgery. Therefore, if their corrected vision is less than normal beforehand, this will not improve after surgery, even though the results will be perfect.

→ If I have laser refractive surgery, will I also be able to have cataract surgery in the future?

Yes. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to undergo cataract surgery in the future. The laser is used directly on the cornea, not on the eye’s transparent crystalline lens, which is what will become opaque in the future when cataracts develop. There will be nothing stopping you from undergoing retinal or glaucoma surgery either, if necessary. The laser surgery will improve your vision with lenses, but it cannot prevent any other eye disorders from developing in the future.

→ If I get pregnant after refractive surgery will my dioptres increase?

No. There is no reason why your dioptres would increase in size during pregnancy. We have operated on many patients without their dioptres increasing as a result of pregnancy.

→ Will my dioptres be zero after refractive surgery?

Refractive surgery is a very precise procedure. The probability of there remaining some form of residual refractive error will depend on the severity of the error being corrected and the healing process.

→ Can I undergo surgery if I have astigmatism in addition to myopia or hyperopia?

Yes. LASIK surgery can be used to correct either myopia or hyperopia, and both can also be corrected in combination withastigmatism, if necessary.

→ How long will it take for my vision to return to normal after refractive laser surgery?

With mild visual acuity defects, your vision should be 100% by the following day. With stronger defects, it may reach around 80-90% the following day, then fully heal over the next few days. As such, patients should be able to return to their everyday work within 48-72 hours in the majority of cases.

→ When will I be able to exercise again after eye surgery?

You should avoid all non-contact sports for the following 48 hours. Contact sports should be avoided for 10-15 days. You may start swimming again after around 15 days.

→ When will I be able to start wearing makeup again?

The next day after the eye surgery, but avoid applying makeup to your eye area for 15 days. Don’t wear perfume or makeup the day of your surgery.

→ Will I be able to wear contact lenses after refractive surgery?

Yes. Contact lenses can be adapted accordingly, although obviously it is very rare for a patient to require contact lenses after surgery, as the procedure is very precise.

→ Is refractive surgery a permanent treatment?

The laser treatment is permanent but with some patients their myopia may eventually come back over time as their eye becomes longer.

→ What is the strongest prescription that a patient can have to be suitable for refractive surgery?

The limit is approximately 9 dioptres for myopia and 5 dioptres for hyperopia. There are no limits for patients with astigmatism.

→ What post-operative care guidelines should I follow after Lasik surgery?

It is vitally important that you avoid rubbing your eyes. You should use eyedrops as prescribed. It is a good idea to wear glasses as a protective measure in situations where there is a risk of injury or particles in the air.

→ Is anaesthetic used for refractive surgery?

The anaesthetic used for this type of surgery is topical (eye drops), so the patient will be fully awake throughout. We will use eye clamps to prevent the patient closing their eyes during the procedure.

→ Is refractive surgery a painful procedure?

During the procedure you will feel your eye being touched and a sensation of pressure, but no pain. For the first 5 to 6 hours immediately after the surgery you may experience photophobia, watery eyes and sensations of grittiness and burning. Generally you won’t feel any discomfort by the following day.

→ Will my private insurance cover refractive surgery?

No. Refractive laser surgery is not covered by private insurance policies, although some of them that have agreements with Oftalvist do offer special prices. They do cover the preoperative tests before the surgery though. Oftalvist also offers a number of affordable alternatives for patients, such as financing over a course of 6 to 36 months, in convenient instalments.

→ Will my social security cover refractive surgery?

No. As opposed to some other treatments, such as conventional cataract surgery, for example, social security does not cover any refractive surgery procedures.

→ Is there financing available for refractive surgery?

Yes. At Oftalvist we offer patients financing of up to 36 months on laser refractive surgery.

→ What are the side effects of refractive surgery?

There are not usually any side effects from laser refractive surgery and patients can expect to fully heal within 48 hours at most. However, it is an outpatient procedure, so patients will need to follow the recommendations of their ophthalmologist to prevent any temporary side effects from occurring. A small percentage of patients suffer from dry eyes for a few days, or glare in their vision at night, but nothing more. Less than 5% may require subsequent readjustment surgery.

→ When can I do sports after refractive surgery?

Non-contact sports can be performed in the following 48 hours. Those of contact between about 10 and 15 days. Swimming can be done after approximately 15 days.

→ After having refractive surgery, can I undergo further surgery to correct any other issues that may occur in the future?

Yes, we can operate again, depending on the thickness of the remaining cornea.

→ Can I rub my eyes after surgery?

It is strictly forbidden to rub your eyes during the first four weeks, and you should also avoid any environments where there is a risk of dust, sand or even soap getting in your eyes.

→ What happens if I move during the laser surgery?

Our surgeons, optometrists, support staff, and also the doctors, will explain how important it is to not move during surgery, most importantly to avoid any sudden movements of your head. However, if this does occur, the laser will detect any movement early enough thanks to a device called an eye-tracker, which corrects for any small eye movements.

→ I have diabetes and high blood pressure, does this pose a risk?

No, neither diabetes nor high blood pressure are reasons that would preclude someone from myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism surgery.

→ How long will it take me to be able to drive properly again?

From a legal perspective, you will need to wait a month after laser surgery.