Laser Eye Surgery

At Eye Clinic Dublin and Mater Private, laser eye surgery is generally recommended for patients aged 20 or older. During adolescence, conditions such as myopia commonly change, often into adulthood. A thorough initial consultation can allow your ophthalmologist to determine the suitability of these procedures for your specific circumstances, taking into account your age and general eye health.

We generally do not recommend laser eye surgery for individuals who suffer from high refractive error or severe short-sightedness HOWEVER WE OFTEN PERFORM ICL LENS SURGERY FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE TOO SHORT SIGHTED FOR LASER EYE SURGERY. Furthermore, individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or those taking immunosuppressive medicine may wish to reconsider refractive surgery.

The results of laser eye surgery, when performed by a qualified ophthalmologist, may last for several years or for the rest of your life. The vast majority of patients do not need to use any prescription lenses in the first 10 years following LASIK, for example. Note that natural ageing can progress myopia and other conditions, but hardly ever to the point where they would be without corrective laser surgery.

At the Mater Mr Guerin uses the latest technology Swiss Ziemer laser to make flaps in LAsik, and an Alcon excimer laser to permanently reshape the eye’s cornea, which in turn corrects conditions such as short-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. Depending on the type of procedure, specific methods vary. 

You can normally drive safely around 24-48 hours after a LASIK procedure, and around 4-7 days following PRK surgery. You should arrange for transport from the clinic ahead of time and make plans for transport during the recovery period. 

Individual results for laser eye surgery recovery vary, but laser vision correction generally has initial functional recovery times of around 1-2 days (LASIK) or 3-7 days (PRK). Some temporary side effects may occur that impair vision, such as seeing a glare or halos around lights, light sensitivity, or poor night vision, but these are typically temporary. 

Laser eye surgery is not painful, but rather it can cause mild discomfort and a sensation of pressure (as if wearing tight goggles) during the procedure. Some mild discomfort is typical during the recovery period. 

Yes, with laser eye surgery, astigmatism can be effectively treated. The application of excimer lasers to the cornea permanently reshapes the cornea by eliminating irregular curvature, which resolves astigmatism. Both LASIK and PRK are highly effective at treating astigmatism. 

There are several potential risks to LASIK, PRK, or any other laser operation for eyes. Most are temporary, and they include dryness, sensitivity to light, seeing a glare or a halo around lights, mild to moderate discomfort (usually just for a few days), and fluctuating vision. Less commonly, risks include under- or over-correction, inflammation, infection, slow healing (more common with PRK), poor night vision, or a corneal haze (usually with PRK). Rarely, but quite seriously, side effects may include ectasia (progressive corneal weakening), permanent loss of vision (very rare), or severe infection or scarring. 

The recovery period for LASIK and PRK vary depending on the individual, but generally a full recovery can be expected in a few weeks (LASIK) up to around 1-3 months (PRK). Gradual healing begins after the procedure and a functional recovery of vision is much faster, around 24-48 hours (LASIK) or 3-7 days (PRK).