Laser eye surgery permanently corrects short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism: the laser reshapes the cornea by a few thousandths of a millimetre so that light is focused sharply on the retina again. At EyeLaser Vienna you can choose between three procedures: SmartSight without a flap, Femto-LASIK and Trans-PRK. Which one suits your eyes is decided by the measurements taken at the preliminary examination, not by a catalogue.
The treatment takes about ten minutes per eye, and most patients are back at work after one to three days. Prices are fixed, from €1,700 per eye, including twelve months of aftercare and a re-treatment within twelve months should it become necessary. Surgery is performed at Opernring 1 by Dr. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS; EyeLaser is a reference centre for SCHWIND. On this page you will find the suitability criteria, the comparison of methods, the process, the prices and the most frequently asked questions.
Laser eye correction is extremely effective for the most common types of refractive errors. At our clinic in Vienna, we successfully treat:
The suitability and the choice of the optimal procedure are always determined individually after a comprehensive diagnostic examination.
Imagine your eye as a high-quality camera. The cornea is the outermost, clear lens that focuses incoming light so that a sharp image is formed on the retina (the camera’s “film”). In cases of refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, this focusing is faulty.
The goal of laser eye correction is to precisely and gently reshape the cornea so that light is once again perfectly focused on the retina. The result: a crystal-clear image without corrective devices.
Modern Refractive Surgery Relies on Two Highly Specialized Laser Systems
Take a break from wearing contact lenses before the preliminary examination:
Using state-of-the-art diagnostics, we create a detailed “map” of your eyes. This includes corneal topography, pachymetry, and aberrometry. Based on this data, our experts decide whether a treatment is safe for you and which method to use.
The procedure is short and painless. Your eyes will be numbed with drops. A lid holder prevents blinking. While the laser works for a few seconds per eye, you fixate on a light.
Recovery is exceptionally fast. Most patients can resume their daily activities the next day. In the first few weeks, you should avoid rubbing your eyes and use the prescribed eye drops diligently.
You only have two eyes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime decision. Here’s why patients from all over Austria trust us:
| Method | Price per Eye (EUR) | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Trans-PRK 7D Standard | 1,700 | No-touch, incision-free, proven for thin corneas. |
| Trans-PRK 7D Wavefront | 3,000 | Wavefront-optimized, for maximum visual quality and contrast. |
| Femto-LASIK 7D Standard | 1,950 | The proven classic, usually sharp vision by the next day. |
| Femto-LASIK 7D Wavefront | 3,000 | Wavefront-guided ablation profile for night vision and contrast. |
| SmartSight (flapless) | 2,500 | Minimally invasive, gentle on the tear film, ideal for active individuals. |
| ICL/IPCL (phakic lens) | 3,500 | Reversible, excellent HD optics, even for extreme prescriptions. |
| Lens exchange / cataract surgery | 3,500 | Every lens type at the same price, including multifocal or EDOF. |
Financing: Flexible installment payments from approx. €33–68/month possible via our partner bank.
In this video, Dr. Victor Derhartunian explains which laser eye treatments are available at EyeLaser Vienna:
🟢 Green Light (Ideal Candidates): You are between 18 and 60 years old, your vision has been stable for at least 12 months, and your cornea is healthy and sufficiently thick.
🟡 Yellow Light (Clarification Required): You are prone to dry eyes, your cornea is rather thin, or certain autoimmune diseases are present.
🔴 Red Light (Not suitable – but there are alternatives): Unstable vision, keratoconus, advanced cataracts/glaucoma, pregnancy. Alternative: Implantation of an ICL lens is often an excellent solution.
All three permanently correct short-sightedness and astigmatism. They differ in how the cornea is reached, how quickly you see sharply again and what they are particularly suited for. Which one suits you is decided by the measurements at the preliminary examination.
No flap, 2 mm access
The classic with a corneal flap
No incision, no contact
Laser treatment not possible? With very high prescriptions or thin corneas the ICL lens is the alternative; from 45 with reading glasses, PresbyMAX or a lens exchange. The wavefront versions of Femto-LASIK and Trans-PRK cost €3,000 per eye; instalments as per the example calculation on the costs page (5.99 % nominal interest, 60 months).
At EyeLaser, you are not investing in anonymous treatment, but in the expertise and personal care of an internationally recognized specialist.
EyeLaser in Vienna exclusively offers the most modern and gentle procedures, including the minimally invasive SmartSight method, the gold standard Femto-LASIK 7D, and lens implants for special requirements.
Ideal candidates are between 18 and 60 years old, have had stable vision for at least one year, and have healthy eyes without conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma.
Thanks to anesthetic eye drops, the procedure itself is completely painless, and the most modern procedures allow for very rapid recovery, often within 24 to 48 hours.
Yes, the corneal correction achieved by the laser is permanent; however, the natural aging process of the eye, such as presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), continues to progress.
At EyeLaser, risks are reduced to an absolute minimum through an extremely thorough preliminary examination and the use of state-of-the-art 7D tracking technology, with temporary dry eyes being the most common side effect.
The costs depend on the chosen method. At EyeLaser, we rely on transparent pricing. You will learn the exact amount during the non-binding preliminary examination.
With SmartSight and Femto-LASIK, most patients can return to work and drive the very next day. With Trans-PRK, it usually takes 3–5 days.
Yes, laser treatment does not stop natural age-related farsightedness (presbyopia). However, for patients aged approximately 45 and older, we offer permanent solutions for this as well, with PresbyMAX or lens replacement.
We completely understand your concern, but we can reassure you. Thanks to special anesthetic eye drops, the treatment is completely painless. Our patients describe at most a slight pressure sensation during the procedure. Our experienced team in Vienna will also empathetically guide you through the entire procedure, explaining each step and ensuring a relaxed atmosphere. The focus is on ensuring you feel safe and well-cared for at all times.
This is one of the most common and important questions. You can’t do anything wrong! Firstly, your eyelid is held open with a small, gentle lid speculum, which prevents blinking. Secondly – and this is crucial for your safety – our state-of-the-art SCHWIND AMARIS 7D laser monitors your eye 1050 times per second in seven dimensions. Even the smallest, involuntary movement is immediately registered and compensated for by the laser in real-time. Should the movement be too large, the laser stops instantly and only resumes when the eye is perfectly positioned again.
The result of correcting your refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) is permanent for the rest of your life. The shape of your cornea is permanently altered. Regardless, every eye undergoes a natural aging process. This means that from approximately 40-45 years of age, presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) sets in, making near vision difficult. This is not a return of your old refractive error, but a normal process that also affects people without vision problems.
The recovery time is remarkably short. With our preferred methods, SmartSight and Femto-LASIK 7D, vision is usually good enough the very next day to work on a screen without problems. We recommend resting your eyes a bit on the first day and regularly using moisturizing eye drops to keep your eyes fresh. For a surface treatment like Trans-PRK, it takes about 3-5 days until visual acuity is sufficient for computer work.
No, laser treatment does not pose an obstacle to future medical procedures. The correction only takes place on the outermost layer of the eye, the cornea. All internal structures remain untouched. You can and should continue to undergo regular check-ups. Should cataract surgery become necessary in old age, this is easily possible. It is only important to inform the operating surgeon that laser treatment has taken place so that this can be considered when calculating the new artificial lens.
No, absolutely not. In the first weeks and months after the procedure, the use of eye drops is an important part of the healing process. You will receive a precise plan from us detailing which drops (antibiotic and moisturizing) you should use and for how long. The sensation of dry eyes is a normal and temporary side effect that usually resolves completely within 3 to 6 months. After that, eye drops are usually no longer necessary.
Generally, laser eye correction is classified as a cosmetic procedure, and the costs are not covered by statutory health insurance in Austria. However, some private supplementary insurances offer tariffs that cover part of the costs. We recommend clarifying this directly with your insurance provider beforehand. Regardless, many of our patients view the costs as a worthwhile investment in their quality of life, which pays for itself over the years by eliminating expenses for glasses and contact lenses.
“From the very first moment I felt in the best hands with Dr. Derhartunian. The whole team is incredibly friendly, well organised and really takes time for every patient.”
“I am very happy that I made this decision. One year after the operation everything is in perfect order. Getting up in the morning and no longer needing glasses is a completely different feeling.”
“I was looked after excellently and kindly by the EyeLaser team and decided on ICL lens surgery as a result. You are given all the information you need for the operation and for the time afterwards.”
Which method suits your eyes is decided by the measurements. Read here how the procedures differ and what the next step is:
