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See the world clearly with Vision Scotland

Laser eye surgery

From £575 per eye*
Transform your vision with fast, precise and painless laser eye surgery treatment.

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how laser eye surgery works

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a very popular refractive surgery for those wishing to eliminate or reduce their dependence on glasses and/or contact lenses. It is most commonly performed in patients who are myopic (short sighted) but can also be used in those with lower levels of hyperopia (long sightedness) and astigmatism.
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How does it work?

Patients wear glasses because the eyes are unable to focus light accurately on the retina at the back of the eye and this results in blurred vision. A special laser known as an excimer laser reshapes the middle layer of the cornea known as the stroma, to correct the vision. The cornea is the clear surface at the front of the eye.
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what is laser eye surgery
do i need a test for laser eye surgery?

Do I need to have tests carried out before surgery?

Before undergoing laser eye surgery, it is important to have a comprehensive eye examination to determine if the procedure is a suitable option for you. This typically includes a series of tests to assess your overall eye health, including scans to measure the shape, curvature and thickness of your cornea, the health of your retina, and the pressure inside your eye.
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Advanced Laser Eye Surgery Offerings at Laser Vision Scotland

We offer what are regarded as the top two forms of laser eye surgery – LASIK and LASEK. There are other types of laser eye surgery out there, but we think these are the safest, most trusted, most effective treatments. These procedures are very similar. The main difference is how the eye is prepared for laser, and in the recovery.
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LASEK Eye Surgery

Laser Assisted Sub Epithelial Keratomileusis

LASEK surgery is a safe and popular vision correction procedure, which can help improve your eyesight if you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. The procedure involves one of our surgeons using an alcohol solution to soften the cells of the outer surface of your eye, called the epithelium. These cells are then moved aside to allow the Alcon WaveLight EX500 laser to reshape the cornea to allow light to focus properly into the retina, improving your vision. This laser is very quick and treatment is complete in typically as little as 2-20 seconds. The cells are then moved back into place, a clear contact lens is inserted to help with healing and comfort, and treatment is complete. The complete procedure takes up to 15 minutes.

Benefits of Lasek

  • It removes the need for glasses or contact lenses
  • Is a great treatment option for patients with thinner corneas or higher prescriptions
  • Is a safe option for those who take part in contact sports
First your eye will be numbed by anaesthetic eye drops, so you don’t feel anything. We then apply an alcohol solution to loosen and gently move a thin layer of the protective layer at the front of your eye, called the epithelium. This allows a laser access to make tiny adjustments to the shape of your eye to correct your vision. Once completed, the layer is moved back into place, and a contact lens applied as a bandage to your eye.
Lasek corrective vision surgery typically takes 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes, and you are free to go home once it has been completed.
You will be given an anaesthetic before your procedure, so shouldn’t feel any pain during it.

Full recovery can typically take one to two weeks. You’ll be given a contact lens to protect your eye for the first few days as it heals, and you may feel a bit of discomfort in your eyes during this period. You may also find your eyesight is slightly blurred. Don’t worry, this is normal, and will improve in a few days.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully during the recovery period to ensure you get the best possible results.

You may feel that your vision is hazy initially, but you should start to feel an improvement in your vision within a week.

LASIK Eye Surgery

Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis

LASIK eye surgery is a safe and quick vision correction procedure, which can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. It can help improve your eyesight if you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. Our surgeon uses The Alcon WaveLight FS200 laser to create small flap in the cornea, which they will then gently move to the side. The Alcon WaveLight EX500 laser is then used to reshape the cornea to focus light properly into the retina, improving your vision. As with LASEK, this second laser is as quick as 2- 20 seconds per eye. The flap is then repositioned by the surgeon and treatment is complete. Treatment takes around 15 minutes in total

Benefits of Lasek

  • It removes the need for glasses or contact lenses
  • A quick recovery period and minimal downtime
First your eye will be numbed by anaesthetic eye drops, so you don’t feel anything. Our surgeon will then create a paper-thin flap in your cornea and lift it to one side. This allows a laser access to make tiny adjustments to the shape of your eye to correct your vision. Once completed, the layer is moved back into place to allow healing to begin.
Lasik eye surgery typically takes 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes, and you are free to go home once it has been completed.
You will be given an anaesthetic before your procedure, so shouldn’t feel any pain during it.
Lasik eye surgery tends to provide relatively few side effects. You might find a slight irritation in your eye for the first few days after surgery, but it should pass quickly.
Your eye will begin to heal once the corrective surgery is completed, and you should start to feel an improvement in your vision within the first week.

SmartSight Surgery

Smart Micro-Incision Advanced Refractive Technology for Sight

SmartSight is an advanced and minimally invasive vision correction procedure designed to improve eyesight for those with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The procedure involves using a femtosecond laser to create a thin, precise layer, or lenticule, beneath the corneal surface. This lenticule is then carefully removed to reshape the cornea, ensuring that light focuses correctly onto the retina, thereby enhancing visual clarity. The laser treatment itself is quick, typically completed in a very short amount of time, often under 30 seconds per eye. The overall procedure generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes for both eyes.

Benefits of Lasek

  • SmartSight can significantly lessen or eliminate the need for corrective eyewear.
  • No traditional corneal flap, making it suitable for thinner corneas or those concerned about flap complications.
  • Flapless design reduces risks from impacts, ideal for people in contact sports.
During the SmartSight procedure, a femtosecond laser creates a precise lens-shaped layer within the cornea. This layer, or lenticule, is then removed through a small incision, reshaping the cornea to correct vision. The procedure is minimally invasive, avoiding traditional flap creation, and typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes for both eyes, offering quick recovery and improved vision clarity.
The SmartSight surgery typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes for both eyes, offering a quick and efficient correction of vision with minimal downtime.
You will be given an anaesthetic before your procedure, so shouldn’t feel any pain during it.
Recovery from SmartSight is relatively quick, with most patients noticing significant improvement in vision within a few days and achieving full recovery and stable vision over a few weeks. Normal activities can usually be resumed after a few days, though strenuous activities should be avoided for about two weeks.
Most patients begin to notice significant improvements in their vision within a few days following SmartSight surgery. The vision continues to stabilise and improve over the next few weeks, allowing patients to fully appreciate the benefits as the eyes heal.

LASEK

Procedure

With LASEK, the top layer of the cornea is softened with an alcohol solution, and then moved to the side while the laser reshaping takes place. The process only uses one laser, the WaveLight EX500 which reshapes the cornea to correct the prescription.

Surgery Time

Both eyes can be treated in as short a time as 15 minutes.

Recovery Time

The recovery process usually takes around 1-2 weeks. Most patients should take a week off work to allow for time at home in the first 3-5 days after the procedure.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The best thing about LASEK is that most patients are suitable, and this includes those with thin corneas, pre-existing medical conditions, and moderate to severe short-sightedness.

Because the procedure does not require the eye surgeon to create a flap in the cornea, there is less risk of dryness after surgery than with LASIK. LASEK is a safer option for patients who take part in certain contact sports LASEK’s main disadvantage is the recovery time, which is longer, and usually more uncomfortable than LASIK’s.

Outcome

Ultimately, the visual outcome with LASEK is exactly the same as with LASIK, albeit with a slightly longer healing time.

LASIK

Procedure

With LASIK, treatment consists of two separate lasers. Firstly, the WaveLight FS200 which creates a flap in the cornea. This flap is gently lifted aside to allow the second laser, the WaveLight EX500, to gently reshape the cornea to correct the prescription. The flap is then smoothed over and treatment is complete.

Surgery Time

Both eyes can be treated in as short a time as 15 minutes.

Recovery Time

Typically, patients recover within 24- 48 hours.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of LASIK is recovery time. Treatment is quick and most patients can expect to return to work within a few days. The primary disadvantage of LASIK is that fewer patients are suitable candidates. This can include patients with dry eyes, those who have higher or more complex prescriptions, or are at higher risk of eye injury.

Outcome

Ultimately, the visual outcome with LASIK is exactly the same as with LASEK, but with a quicker recovery time.

SmartSight

Procedure

SmartSight is a minimally invasive refractive eye surgery that involves the use of a femtosecond laser to create a thin, lens-shaped layer beneath the surface of the cornea. This layer, known as a lenticule, is then removed to reshape the cornea and correct the vision prescription without creating a traditional corneal flap.

Surgery Time

Both eyes can be treated in approximately 20 to 30 minutes

Recovery Time

Vision improves in 2–3 days, stabilizing in 2–3 weeks with quick overall recovery.

Advantages and Disadvantages

SmartSight is advantageous because it is suitable for individuals who want a minimally invasive procedure. It does not involve creating a traditional corneal flap, reducing the risk of complications such as dry eyes and making it a viable option for people with sensitive eyes or those participating in contact sports.

The disadvantage is that, while recovery is generally fast, it may not be as instantaneous as some other refractive surgeries like LASIK, though it tends to be more comfortable than LASEK.

Outcome

The visual outcome with SmartSight is highly favourable, offering outcomes similar to other laser surgeries, such as LASIK, with the benefit of being minimally invasive and causing less disruption to the corneal architecture.

Vision Scotland : Eye care specialists

Why have treatment with Vision Scotland 

Surgery

All surgery is carried out by the same surgeon you see in consultation.

Experience

Our surgeons are all highly experienced with more than 10+ years’ experience in refractive surgery.

Nursing

Experienced, caring nursing and optometrist team.

Approved

HIS approved purpose-built facilities.

Equipment

State-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical equipment.

Support

Robust, extended aftercare plans as part of package.

LASEK and LASIK

At Vision Scotland we offer two types of laser eye surgery – LASIK and LASEK. Both procedures achieve the same result but differ in the method used to access the portion of the cornea that is reshaped.

LASEK (Laser assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy) involves numbing the eye with anaesthetic eye drops and using an alcohol solution to loosen the top layer of the cornea, known as the epithelium. The epithelium is put to one side and returned to its position after the laser has been applied. The laser treatment takes a couple of minutes and at the end of the procedure, a contact lens is applied which acts as a bandage while the cornea heals.

LASIK (Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) involves numbing the eye with anaesthetic drops and creating a paper thin flap on the cornea instead of removing the epithelium all together. The laser is applied and then the flap is folded back into position where it attaches in a matter of minutes and healing begins.  A suction device is applied to the eye to stop it from moving during the procedure.

The recovery time for LASEK surgery is typically longer than for LASIK surgery, this is because the epithelium is completely removed in LASEK and takes a few days to regenerate. As a result, patients are likely to experience some discomfort and blurred vision for the first few days after the procedure.

However, most people who undergo LASEK surgery experience significant improvements in their vision within a few weeks of the procedure. Because LASEK does not involve creation of a flap, which contains both epithelial and deeper stromal tissue, the entire thickness of the stroma is available for treatment. The treatment range is therefore higher. This is particularly helpful for patients with high levels of myopia or for those who’s cornea is too thin for LASIK. LASEK is also free of flap related complication risks. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully during the recovery period to ensure the best possible results.

At your consultation we’ll be able to advise you on which type best suits your eyes. Lasek is a safer procedure, but is associated with more discomfort in the first few days after treatment. Since it is safer, we tend to recommend LASEK in most cases.

Is laser eye surgery safe?

Laser eye surgery is generally considered to be a safe and effective way to correct certain vision problems. The procedure has been performed successfully on millions of people around the world, and the vast majority of people who undergo laser eye surgery experience significant improvements in their vision.

However, like any surgical procedure, laser eye surgery carries some risks and potential complications. The most common side effects of laser eye surgery include dry eyes, temporary blurry vision, and halos around lights. These side effects are typically mild and resolve on their own within a few days or weeks.

Rare complications of laser eye surgery include infection, inflammation, and corneal scarring. In very rare cases, laser eye surgery can cause vision loss, although this is typically the result of an underlying medical condition rather than the surgery itself.

Overall, it is important to carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits of laser eye surgery before making a decision about whether to undergo the procedure. Your doctor will provide you with more information about the potential risks and complications of laser eye surgery and help you determine if it is a suitable treatment option for you. 

Am I suitable for laser eye surgery?

Not everyone is a good candidate for laser eye surgery. Suitability can only be determined after a full consultation with advanced diagnostic testing. We are delighted to welcome any interested patient to attend for a free diagnostic consultation to ascertain their suitability.

In general, the best candidates for laser eye surgery are people who:

  • Are at least 21 years old
  • Have had stable vision for at least one year
  • Do not have any underlying eye diseases
  • Do not have a very high prescription for glasses
  • Are not pregnant or breastfeeding

What are the alternatives?

Should you be unsuitable for laser eye surgery then worry not as there is a very good chance that you will be suitable for a range of other refractive surgeries such as implantable contact lenses (ICL) or refractive lens exchange (RLE).
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what does the surgery involve
*Prescription criteria that would qualify for £575 laser: LASEK/ TransPRK up to -1.25/ -0.50 = £575 per eye. LASIK/ LASEK myopia all other Rxs = £1995 per eye. LASIK/ LASEK hyperopia = £2500 per eye. SmartSight = £2500 per eye.
Laser Vision Scotland Ltd is registered in Scotland No SC448890. We are a credit broker and not a lender. We offer credit products from Novuna Personal Finance. Laser Vision Scotland Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 1010811. Credit subject to age and status. Any late or missed repayment may have serious consequences and your credit rating may be affected which could make it more difficult to obtain credit in the future. Laser Vision Scotland Ltd offers both regulated and unregulated products. The interest free plans which are repayable within 12 months are in no more than 12 instalments are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Unregulated plans are not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service

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