Laser Eye Treatment UK - Treatments Available

In the UK, laser eye treatments (or Laser Vision Correction procedures) are available for the correction of long sight, short sight and astigmatism.

 

The following information on laser eye treatments has been provided by Optical Express, Europe's number one provider of laser vision correction, spectacles and contact lenses. Every month Optical Express give thousands of patients the visual freedom they have always dreamed of, through state of the art laser vision correction treatment at only £600 per eye.

 

If you are looking for a quote for laser eye surgery, or want more information about treatment in your local area, you can complete the Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a maximum of three clinics or providers who partner with the Private Healthcare UK web site.

A specialist cool ‘excimer’ laser is used to gently reshape the cornea at the front of the eye in order to bring objects into focus. The cornea is the clear ‘window’ which covers the iris and pupil area.

 

During LASIK, the LASIK surgeon reshapes the cornea at a deeper level compared to LASEK. A thin flap of corneal tissue is created which is gently lifted by the LASIK surgeon and the laser is applied to the underlying tissue, making microscopic changes to reshape it. The flap is put back in its original position by the LASIK surgeon. The entire process takes about 15 minutes and unlike other laser correction techniques, LASIK surgery patients experience far less discomfort after the procedure. Both eyes can be treated simultaneously, with many patients returning to work after 48 hours. A significant improvement in vision is commonly seen within a few hours. The LASIK procedure obtains excellent results for patients with long sight, short sight and astigmatism. Visual settling time is faster with the LASIK procedure. Occasionally, some patients are not deemed suitable for LASIK surgery and therefore LASEK may be recommended

 

LASEK treats the superficial cornea. A weak solution of alcohol is used to soften the outermost layer of the cornea, or epithelium.

A ‘flap’ of epithelium can then be created and folded aside. The laser is applied and the epithelial flap is carefully manipulated back into position. LASEK surgery is considered to be more comfortable for the patient and significant visual improvement can be seen within a few days. LASEK surgery is successful in correcting mild to moderate short sight and astigmatism.

 

Wavefront LASIK / LASEK laser vision correction is an advanced form of excimer laser technology. Just like a fingerprint, each person’s vision is unique to their eyes. Before the recent advancements in laser technology, surgeons would carry out the above LVC procedures, LASIK surgery and LASEK using standard measurements to correct vision and achieve excellent results. Now, the new Wavefront technology can measure and correct the unique imperfections of each individual’s vision and provide them with the potential to experience better vision than is possible with spectacles or contact lenses – their ‘personal best vision.’

 

The Wavefront treatment process involves making a detailed analysis of the individual visual performance of the eye using WaveScan-based digital technology. The Wavefront LASIK / LASEK technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. Now, surgeons can identify, measure and correct imperfections in an individual’s eyes 25 times more precisely than with standard methods used for spectacles and contact lenses.

 

The WaveScan unit captures and maps the progress of light rays as they leave the individual’s eye. This detailed analysis highlights imperfections or ‘aberrations’ within the eye’s visual system. Once this information is captured, it is transferred to the laser, providing a custom made laser treatment, tailor made to the patient’s individual needs. LASIK surgery or LASEK can be carried out using the Wavefront laser programme.

 

Together with Wavefront technology, our ActiveTrak 3-D eye tracker actively follows the tiniest movements of the eye in all three dimensions to enable the surgeon to keep the laser centred to within 50 microns (about the width of a human hair) even if your eye moves.

 

Optical Express’s VISX excimer lasers have been used to successfully treat over 3 million eyes in the U.S. and over 5 million eyes globally and one year after the new Wavefront procedure, patients in a clinical study showed that:-