Expert laser eye surgery

Most good candidates are over 21 with a prescription that has been stable for at least a year, healthy corneas of adequate thickness, and no significant eye disease. Very high prescriptions, thin corneas, certain medical conditions, and pregnancy can temporarily or permanently rule it out — in which case an implantable contact lens (ICL) may be a better route. The only way to know for certain is a consultation with detailed corneal mapping.

All three reshape the cornea with a laser; they differ in how the surface is prepared. LASIK creates a thin hinged flap and offers the fastest recovery. LASEK and PRK work on the surface of the cornea without a flap — better suited to thinner corneas or certain lifestyles (contact sports, some occupations), with a slightly longer healing period. Mr Panthagani recommends the technique that best fits your eyes and lifestyle, not a one-size-fits-all answer.

No. The eye is numbed with drops and most patients feel only mild pressure during the procedure itself. Some gritty discomfort for a few hours afterwards is normal and settles quickly.

The laser treatment itself takes only a few seconds per eye, and you’re typically in and out of the laser suite in around 15 minutes for both eyes. You’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards.

Most LASIK patients see well the following morning and return to work the next day. LASEK and PRK take a little longer — usually a week or two for vision to settle — but the end results are comparable.

It corrects short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. At your assessment we measure your prescription and corneal shape precisely to confirm what’s achievable for your eyes.

Laser surgery corrects your current prescription very effectively. It doesn’t stop your eyes ageing, however — reading glasses may still become useful in your 40s or 50s as presbyopia develops. We’ll explain this honestly at your consultation so your expectations are realistic.

The reshaping of the cornea is permanent. The vast majority of patients enjoy a lasting, stable result. A small number may benefit from a fine-tuning (’enhancement’) procedure years later, which we’d discuss if it were ever appropriate.

Some temporary dryness is common in the weeks after surgery and is easily managed with lubricating drops. If you already have significant dry eye we’ll assess and treat it first — sometimes an ICL is a better option for very dry eyes.

Modern laser surgery is one of the most rigorously studied procedures in medicine, and serious complications are rare. Mr Panthagani will only recommend surgery if he is confident it is safe and right for you — and will say so honestly if it isn’t.