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Refractive Laser Eye Surgery

At Central Sydney Eye Surgeons, our team of ophthalmologists are specialists in refractive laser eye surgery (blurry vision correction), including the latest SMILE technique, LASIK, and more.

Refractive laser eye surgery aims to correct common vision problems, such as nearsightedness / shortsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia.

The goal of refractive eye surgery is to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses by changing the shape of the cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye, to properly focus light onto the retina.

There are several types of refractive eye surgery, including:

SMILE is the latest advance in refractive eye surgery, designed to treat a multitude of refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. The procedure is known to be ‘gentle’ and involves using a femtosecond laser to create a corneal lenticule which is extracted whole through a small incision without the use of an excimer laser. It is reported to achieve effects similar to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with excellent post-operative outcomes.

LASIK is the most common type of refractive eye surgery. It uses a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision. During the procedure, a thin flap is created on the cornea, and a laser is used to remove some of the underlying corneal tissue to change its shape. The flap is then repositioned, and the cornea heals on its own.

PRK is similar to LASIK, but instead of creating a flap on the cornea, the outer layer of the cornea is removed, and the laser is used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.
LASEK is a variation of PRK that uses alcohol to loosen the outer layer of the cornea before it is removed. This makes the procedure less painful and speeds up the healing process.

ICL is a type of refractive eye surgery that involves implanting a lens inside the eye to correct vision. Unlike other types of refractive eye surgery, ICL does not alter the shape of the cornea, and it is typically used for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK or PRK.

RLE (Refractive lens exchange), also known as clear lens extraction, is a surgery to correct extreme farsightedness (hyperopia) or near sightedness (myopia)

Phakic intraocular lens implants are designed specifically to correct near sightedness (myopia). It is called phakic because the natural lens is left untouched.

AK (Astigmatic keratotomy) is a surgical procedure to correct moderate to severe astigmatism. Incisions are made at the steepest point of the cornea to flatten it.

Epi-LASIK is a procedure similar to PRK. A very thin membrane is detached from the cornea, and the cornea is reshaped by the excimer laser. A soft contact lens is used to protect the area until healing occurs. TransPRK smooth SurfACE has replaced this treatment as a more beneficial treatment associated with a faster recovery.

Seeing near to far after cataract surgery.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens creating a decrease in the quality of vision and image sharpness, causing text and objects to look dull or blurry. Replacing the eye’s natural lens with the IC-8 lens will help bring life back into focus. The IC-8 lens is ideal for individuals who want clear vision across a full focal range from reading an SMS, watching television to driving without having to rely on glasses.

Refractive laser (corrective) eye surgery is usually performed on an outpatient (day surgery) basis, and the procedure takes only a few minutes to complete.

Most people experience significant improvement in their vision within a few days to a week after the surgery. However, it is important to have regular follow-up visits with your ophthalmologist to monitor your recovery and ensure that your vision is stable.

Refractive eye surgery is a safe and effective way to correct common vision problems and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is important to see an ophthalmologist who specialises in refractive surgery for a thorough evaluation and to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. You will receive information about the different types of refractive eye surgery treatments, and this will help you make an informed decision about your best option.

If you are considering refractive eye surgery, please contact us to make an appointment with one of our refractive specialists to discuss the best treatment options for you.

Our Refractive Laser Eye Surgery Specialists​

All of our ophthalmologist specialise in general ophthalmology, however some of our specialists have longer wait times than others due to their sub-specialised interests in surgery (long wait times). If you are unsure which specialists to see, please call us for a recommendation.

Do I Qualify?

To enquire about refractive laser (corrective) eye surgery, please complete the following form and one of our orthoptists will get back to you to discuss the procedure and whether you qualify.

Appointment Form (Laser Eye)
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