Refractive Surgery Go Back

Refractive laser surgery involves using a laser to reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism, long-sightedness or short-sightedness with the aim of reducing or eliminating the need for spectacles. Wollongong Refractive Eye Specialists offer three different refractive procedures:

PRK
The top layer of the cornea is gently removed before reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser.

LASIK
A flap is cut on the surface of the cornea using a laser and gently lifted to expose the underlying tissue. A separate laser is then used to reshape the tissue surface before the flap is replaced. LASIK has the fastest recovery period of all refractive laser treatments and is suitable for both long- and short-sighted people.

SMILE
A laser is used to cut a section of tissue from the middle if the cornea which is then removed through a small incision on the corneal surface. It is the least invasive of all the refractive laser procedures but is only currently available for short-sighted people.

FAQs

How long does the procedure take?
You will be in our rooms for approximately 2 hours on the day and in the procedure room for approximately 20-30 minutes. You will be given a sedative before the procedure, so it is important to organize someone to pick you up and drop you off and to avoid driving for the rest of the day.

Is the procedure painful?
The procedure is performed using local anaesthetic drops so you will feel little to no pain during the procedure. For SMILE and LASIK, your eyes may be red and have some mild irritation for the first few days, but overall the procedure is relatively pain free. For PRK, the first few days can be uncomfortable due to the removal of the top layer of tissue, however this resolves quickly as the tissue heals.

Is it safe?
Although no procedure is without risk, refractive surgery is very safe. Serious complications such as infection are very rare and only approximately 1% of patients require further correction to their vision.

Will I need glasses afterwards?
Most people won’t require glasses following refractive surgery. However, some patients may require reading glasses depending on their age and what treatment they receive.

What is the recovery period like?
Recovery is very quick following refractive surgery, and your vision will be quite clear from the day following the procedure. Full recovery can take up to 1-2 weeks for LASIK and SMILE, and up to 2-4 weeks for PRK. 

Is it permanent?
While the tissue cannot regrow, refractive surgery does not correct future age-related changes in your vision. This means that you may still require reading glasses as you get older, however depending on your age, you vision should remain stable for a number of years.

How do I find out if I’m suitable?
Suitability for refractive surgery depends on multiple factors including your script, corneal thickness and corneal health. The best way to find out if you’re eligible and which procedure best suits you is to book in with Wollongong Refractive Laser Eye Institute for a free screening.