Frequently Asked Questions

During your consultation for laser eye treatment, you will of course have the opportunity to spend ample time with an Optical Express Laser Trained Optometrist and Counsellor who can provide you with all the information you require to make an informed decision regarding your laser eye treatment.

These are some of the more frequently asked questions about laser eye treatment.

Q. Will I be suitable for laser eye treatment?

A. To ensure the best possible results from laser eye treatment, we are able to treat most people over 18 years of age who have had a stable prescription for 12 months. Prior to laser eye treatment being undertaken, you will attend a consultation with an Optical Express Laser Trained Optometrist who will determine your suitability for treatment based on your personal prescription, healing profile and expectations.

Q. Why is Optical Express less expensive than many of its competitors for laser eye treament?

A. Since Optical Express is Europe's number one laser eye treatment provider, we benefit from economies of scale and in turn pass the saving on to you, unlike other providers who charge more to make up for their lower volume. Furthermore, Optical Express employs Laser Trained Optometrists and Ophthalmologists instead of having to refer our patients elsewhere.

Q. Will I ever need spectacles again after my laser eye treatment?

A. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 patients requires spectacles for distance reading followiing laser eye treatment and the majority of those who do, only require them for specific tasks. However as we grow older a condition called presbyopia will develop eventually, and whether they have treatment or not, most people require reading spectacles at some time. However a number of new laser eye treatments that will eliminate the need for reading spectacles are currently being developed and clinically trialled.

Q. Does Optical Express offer patient financing for laser eye treament?

A. Yes. At Optical Express we endeavour to make laser eye treatment affordable for every patient. We are committed to prevent finance from becoming a barrier in undergoing laser eye treatment. Over 90% of our patients requiring finance for treatment are approved for a convenient payment plan. We offer interest free and interest bearing payment plans, which will be explained further at your laser eye treatment consultation. This will help to make laser eye treatment more affordable for you.

Q. Will I see better after having Wavefront laser eye treatment?

A. Yes, Wavefront laser eye treatment most often delivers improved visual results when compared to standard laser eye treatments or conventional spectacles and contact lenses. 100% of study participants on a FDA clinical trial could see well enough to drive a car legally without spectacles or contact lenses following treament.

Q. Can I have laser eye treatment on both eyes at the same time?

A. With LASIK and LASEK laser eye treatment, both eyes are normally treated at the same time.

Q. Do I need to leave my contact lenses out prior to laser eye treatment?

A. Yes, depending on the type of lenses you wear, you will need to leave them out (and wear spectacles) prior to consultation / laser eye treatment. Contact lenses may distort the cornea and lead to inaccurate measurements and treatments.

Q. Will my eyes be painful during or after laser eye treatment?

A. We use anaesthetic eye drops that completely numb your eye so you remain comfortable throughout the treatment. After LASIK laser eye treatment, patients will feel some grittiness, light sensitivity and watering for a short while. With LASEK laser eye treatment, again you will feel some mild sensations and discomfort after the treatment, potentially in the first 24-48 hours.

Q. What if I close or move my eye during my laser eye treatment?

A. Drops are used to eliminate the blink reflex and an eyelid holder keeps your eye open during you laser eye treatment. There is a very sophisticated eye tracker which follows your eye as it moves during your treatment. If your eye moves out of line the laser tracks the slightest of movements and will not action.

Q. What level of vision can I expect to achieve after laser eye treatment?

A. The final result of your laser eye treatment depends upon your original prescription. Although we are unable to guarantee you 6/6 (20/20) vision following your laser eye treatment, with our vast experience we are able to reasonably predict outcomes to the laser eye treatment based on the original levels of prescription.

Q. What if I am unsuitable for laser eye treatment?

A. For the vast majority of patients who want freedom from their spectacles and contact lenses, laser eye treatment is the most commonly considered procedure. However not everyone is suitable for treatment, and fortunately for a lot of them there is an established alternative solution. At Optical Express we are able to offer a free consultation, advice and treatment on a wide range of conditions with particular expertise in:

Implantable Contact Lens
Phakic Intra Ocular Lens
Cataract Surgery
Refractive Lens Exchange

To ascertain whether these proven alternative procedures will help your vision, an in depth consultation is needed with a Specialist Refractive Optometrist. They will determine what will be of most benifit to you, explain the procedure which is most suited to your needs and answer all of your questions to enable you to make an informed decision.

Q. When can I return to work and be able to drive following laser eye treatment?

A. LASIK laser eye treatment has a faster visual settling time, with nearly all patients noticing a marked improvement the same day following laser eye treatment. Most people are able to drive and return to work within 48 hours after laser eye treatment unless their work environment is very dusty or dirty. Recovery following LASEK laser eye treatment can take up to 4-7 days.

Q. Is the procedure safe?

A. Yes, however, all laser eye treatments are classed as surgical procedures and as such carry some degree of risk although very small.

In terms of a medical procedure, laser eye treatment has a very low complication rate of less than 1%. The vast majority of laser eye treatment complications are minor. The treatment has passed extensive scrutiny from public health agencies and the medical health profession, and after more than a decade of research, complications significantly affecting vision are extremely few following laser eye treatment. Your Laser Trained Optometrist and Patient Counsellor will discuss any potential complications involved with laser eye surgery and explain how they are dealt with.

Q. Are all lasers used in laser eye surgery the same?

A. No, unlike other laser eye treatment providers, Optical Express only uses the most technologically advanced laser, the VISX S4IR, delivering the safest and most precise results.

Q. Who are the Healthcare Commission and what do they do?

A. The Healthcare Commission is an independent body, set up to promote improvements in healthcare standards. Before a laser clinic commences providing laser eye treatments, it has to go through a rigorous system of registration that involves inspections and discussions with regard to the organisation's policies and practices. Regular inspections result thereafter to ensure standards are maintained.

Q. Who are the Eye Laser Association?

A. The Eye Laser Association was set up in 2003 and Optical Express was a founder member of the forum. Its purpose is to establish a code of best practice within the laser eye treatment industry and ensure that all patients of the member clinics are treated with the highest quality of clinical standards.