Laser eye surgery procedure: 3 steps of laser eye surgery at EyeLaser

Nervousness before laser eye surgery is normal. To alleviate this or purely out of interest, many patients ask us how exactly the laser eye surgery procedure works.

In this blog, you will find out exactly how your treatment at EyeLaser will proceed, what you can expect and what you can expect. From the initial consultation and ophthalmological examination, during which your ophthalmologist will decide whether you are suitable for laser surgery, to the treatment with the best laser surgery method for you and the post-operative check-ups the day after the procedure, we will provide you with all the important information you need.

The laser eye surgery procedure is explained step by step: from the preliminary examinations through the treatment to the follow-up examination and the subsequent follow-up check.

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1. Step 1: Aptitude test and preliminary examination
2. Step 2: Procedure for laser eye surgery (on the day of the procedure)
3. Step 3: Aftercare and follow-up treatment for rapid healing
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Laser Eye Treatment Procedure

Step 1: Aptitude test and preliminary examination

Are you suitable for laser eye surgery?

The first step on the way to laser eye treatment at EyeLaser Vienna & Linz is the aptitude test. This test is crucial to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for treatment. Particularly pleasing: at EyeLaser, this test is non-binding, free of charge and painless.

Duration and procedure of the aptitude test:

The aptitude test takes about 15 minutes and includes several simple but important examinations:

1. eye tests:

• Checking the current visual acuity.
• Determination of visual defects such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.

2. corneal thickness measurement:

• Measurement of the thickness of your cornea with a special device.
• Important to ensure that your cornea is suitable for laser treatment.

3. eye pressure measurement:

• Measurement of intraocular pressure.
• Helps to detect possible eye diseases at an early stage.

Important criteria for suitability:

• Stable visual acuity: Your visual acuity should have remained relatively stable over the last twelve months.
• Healthy eyes: No serious eye diseases or injuries.
• Corneal thickness: Sufficient thickness of the cornea to be able to perform the laser treatment safely.
• Age: Ideally, you should be between 18 and 45 years old. However, there are also suitable laser eye treatments for older patients – e.g. PresbyMAX for presbyopia or lens replacement for cataracts.

Arrange a preliminary examination

Holistic preliminary examination for the best results

The successful aptitude test is followed by a comprehensive preliminary examination. This step is crucial in order to plan a customized and safe laser eye treatment. The preliminary examination at EyeLaser Vienna & Linz takes about 90 minutes.

Duration and procedure of the preliminary examination:

The preliminary examination consists of several individual steps:

1. extended eye tests:

• More precise measurements of your visual acuity under different conditions.
• Analysis of visual defects and determination of the optimum correction values.

2. topography of the cornea:

• Creation of a detailed “map” profile of your cornea.
• Identification of irregularities and specific requirements for laser treatment.

3. pachymetry:

• Precise measurement of corneal thickness at various points.
• Determination of the suitability and safety of the treatment.

4. intraocular pressure measurement:

• Checking the intraocular pressure to detect abnormalities or diseases such as glaucoma.

5. tear film analysis:

• Examination of tear fluid to assess eye health and detect dry eyes.

6. ocular fundus examination:

• Examination of the retina and optic nerve.
• Exclusion of diseases that could influence the laser treatment.

Important for the preliminary examination for laser eye surgery:

• Please do not wear soft contact lenses for 1 week before the preliminary examination.
• Please do not wear hard contact lenses for 4 weeks before the preliminary examination.
• Please do not wear Ortho-K contact lenses for 3 months before the preliminary examination.
• Eye drops that dilate your pupils are used for the examination. Afterwards, both eyes are more sensitive to light for 4 hours and you should not drive or operate machinery.

Individual discussion of treatment options:

Once the examinations have been completed, the ophthalmologist will discuss the results with you in detail. The most suitable individual treatment methods (e.g. Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK or SmartSight) will be presented. Alternative options, such as lens exchange or lens implantation with ICL phakic lenses, will also be explained if laser treatment is not optimal. We will inform you about the course of the operation, the risks and side effects and the follow-up treatment. Of course, we will also be happy to answer all your questions!

You can then make an appointment for an operation either on site or – after sufficient time to think it over – by telephone. We make every effort to accommodate patients as well as possible when making appointments. The waiting time between the preliminary examination and the eye operation is between one day and a few weeks – whichever you prefer. You should be able to wear contact lenses again after the preliminary examinationand before your treatment:

• Please do not wear soft contact lenses for 2 days before the eye operation.
• Please do not wear hard contact lenses for 7 days before the operation.

Costs and liability:

The aptitude test is free of charge and non-binding, the costs of the laser eye treatments and preliminary examinations can be found in our current price list hereArrange a preliminary examination

Step 2: Procedure for laser eye surgery (on the day of the procedure)

Preparation for the operation

The day of your laser eye treatment is an exciting step on the road to better vision. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, there are some important preparations that take place immediately before the procedure. On the day of the operation, you will come to our practice with an accompanying person. Please refrain from using face cream, aftershave, make-up etc. in the facial area on this day. You will only be anaesthetized locally with eye drops and can therefore eat and drink normally.

Arrival at the clinic:

1. welcome and registration:

• When you arrive at the clinic, you will be greeted by our friendly team and guided through the registration process.
• You will receive all the necessary information and can clarify any final questions.

2. review of the documents:

• Your doctor will review your medical records and the results of the preliminary examination.
• Any changes or new developments are discussed.

Preparation of the patient:

3. hygiene measures:

• To ensure a sterile environment, the eye area is thoroughly cleaned.
• You will be given special eye drops that numb the eye so that you do not feel any pain during the treatment.

4th relaxation phase:

• Before the procedure, you will have the opportunity to relax and ask any final questions.
• A calm and relaxed atmosphere helps to reduce any nervousness.

Last checks:

5. final eye tests:

• Shortly before the treatment, a few more eye tests are carried out to ensure that all parameters are set correctly.
• The doctor checks the settings of the laser machine based on your individual data.

6. discussion of the procedure:

• Your ophthalmologist will explain the exact procedure step by step.
• This helps to give you a sense of security and control.

Introduction to the treatment room:

7. placement in the treatment chair:

• You will be accompanied into the treatment room and seated comfortably in the treatment chair.
• The chair is adjusted so that you are in an optimal position during the procedure.

8. fixation and anesthesia:

• Your eye is held open using a special eyelid holder to prevent movement during the treatment.
• Further anesthetic drops will be administered to ensure that you do not feel any pain.

Start of treatment:

9. reassuring instructions:

• Throughout the process, the doctor will give you reassuring instructions and explain what is happening.
• You are encouraged to breathe calmly and concentrate on a fixed point.

Through this careful and detailed preparation, EyeLaser Vienna & Linz ensures that you feel safe and in good hands during the entire procedure. Our aim is to ensure that your treatment is not only successful, but also as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK, SmartSight and ReLEx SMILE – the laser eye treatment procedure

You can find out more about how our laser eye surgery methods work on the relevant pages:

• Femto-LASIK 7D
• Trans-PRK 7D
• SmartSight
• ReLEx SMILE

The procedure differs minimally in detail. However, the way it works remains similar: the laser shapes the cornea in such a way that the refractive error that causes short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism is corrected.

Immediately after laser eye surgery

1st resting phase:

• After the procedure, you will have the opportunity to relax in a relaxation room. Here you can recover from the treatment and close your eyes.

2. first check by the doctor:

• The ophthalmologist will carry out an initial check to ensure that the treatment has been successful and that there are no immediate complications.

3. protective measures:

• Protective contact lenses or a bandage are applied to your eyes to support healing and protect the sensitive cornea from external influences.
• You will be given special eye drops that prevent inflammation and accelerate healing.

4. aftercare instructions:

• The doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your eyes over the next few hours and days. This includes information on how to use the eye drops, how to avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes and information on possible symptoms that may occur.
• You will be given a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from bright light and UV radiation, as they can be particularly sensitive to light after the treatment.

5. transportation home:

• As your vision may still be blurred immediately after the procedure and you may have been given light sedation – we do not usually do this with EyeLaser – it is important that you are taken home by someone to accompany you.
• It is recommended that you spend the next 24 hours in a calm and relaxed environment in order to optimally support the healing process.

What should you bear in mind after laser eye surgery?

We recommend a downtime of one to several days, depending on the method. Your eyes are very sensitive and most patients report:

• Light sensitivity
• Burning eyes
• Foreign body sensation
• strong lacrimation
• After the operation, keep your eyes closed for the rest of the day if possible and only open them to eat, go to the toilet, etc. The eyelids exert a natural pressure on the cornea, which accelerates healing. This means: no cell phone, no computer, no reading, no television. Listen to music or an audio book until you go to bed.
• Avoid baths, spas and saunas for 2 weeks and do not hold your face directly under the water jet when showering.
• Avoid windy, draughty, dusty and smoky environments and physical exertion for 2 weeks.

Step 3: Aftercare and follow-up treatment for rapid healing

1 day after the operation

The first follow-up appointment is scheduled approximately 24 hours after the laser eye treatment. This early point in time is important to check the initial healing process and ensure that everything is going as planned.

What is being done?

1. visual acuity check:

• Your ophthalmologist will carry out an eye test to check your current visual acuity and clarity of vision to ensure that the laser vision correction was successful.

2. control of the cornea:

• The doctor examines the cornea for signs of irritation, infection or other complications.
• A microscope is used to ensure that the cornea is healing properly and that no undesirable changes have occurred.

3. checking the protective contact lenses or bandages:

• If you have been fitted with protective contact lenses, the doctor will check them and remove them if necessary once the cornea has healed sufficiently.
• In the case of bandages, it is checked whether they are still necessary or can be removed.

4. adjustment of the medication:

• If necessary, the doctor will adjust the eye drops and other prescribed medication to support the healing process.
• You will receive clear instructions on how to continue using the eye drops to prevent infection and promote healing.

5. answering questions:

• You have the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have since your treatment with your doctor.
• The doctor will give you detailed answers and help you to feel confident and informed.

Of course, we are always available to you as a point of contact if questions arise or complications occur outside of the follow-up appointments. You always have the opportunity to come in and be treated promptly after making an appointment.

Final check after the procedure

The final check-up after your laser eye treatment is the last step in the aftercare process. This appointment is used to assess the final healing process and ensure that your eyes are fully regenerated. Depending on the laser eye procedure, this takes place a few days to weeks after the procedure – it depends on how long it usually takes to fully heal. Normally, you will have little to no discomfort the day after the operation and vision of around 90%.

Procedure for the final inspection:

1. detailed eye tests:

• Your ophthalmologist will again carry out comprehensive eye tests to check your visual acuity and clarity of vision.
• These tests help to confirm that the correction of the defective vision was successful and that your vision is optimal.

2. corneal examination:

• The cornea is examined closely to ensure that it has healed completely.
• The doctor checks for signs of scarring, irregularities or other complications.

3. intraocular pressure measurement:

• The intraocular pressure is measured to ensure that it is within the normal range.
• This measurement is important in order to recognize possible postoperative problems at an early stage.

4. checking the eye function:

• In addition to visual acuity, other aspects of eye function, such as tear production and general eye health, are also checked.
• The doctor ensures that there are no symptoms of dry eyes or other complaints.

5. adaptation and recommendations:

• Based on the results of the examination, the doctor can make final adjustments to your medication or care instructions. Or determine that prolonged medication is not necessary.
• You will receive recommendations for the long-term care of your eyes in order to maintain the results achieved and promote your eye health.

6. answering final questions:

• You will have the opportunity to ask any remaining questions and clarify any final uncertainties.
• The doctor will give you final advice and ensure that you feel well informed and cared for.

After successful treatment, optimal vision is restored over the next few weeks, which may vary slightly depending on the day. If healing is successful and the post-operative results are satisfactory, the next examination is carried out in a month (in the case of laser eye surgery) or after a week (in the case of lens surgery).

Depending on the treatment package selected, regular check-ups and follow-up treatments take place over a period of 1 to 5 years. During this time, you can ask questions and arrange check-ups at any time. If there are any deviations, your eyesight will be corrected free of charge during this period.

Enjoy your new attitude to life without glasses or contact lenses!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Laser Eye Treatment Procedure

What is the procedure for laser eye treatment?

The treatment takes place in three steps: First, a comprehensive preliminary examination including a suitability test is carried out. This allows the individually suitable procedure to be selected. On the day of the treatment, the eye is numbed with drops and then lasered – this usually takes only a few minutes per eye. Afterwards, patients can go home to recover, usually followed by two aftercare appointments.

How long does laser eye surgery take?

Depending on the procedure, laser eye surgery usually takes no longer than 20 minutes. The laser itself is often only actively in use for a few seconds. From the preliminary examination to complete healing, it usually takes four to six weeks. The procedure itself is performed on an outpatient basis, so no longer stay at the eye laser centre is necessary.

What happens during the preliminary examination before laser eye surgery?

Your suitability for laser eye surgery is checked. A wide range of diagnostic methods is used to measure the eye as precisely as possible – including corneal thickness, corneal structure, pupil size, visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Based on this, the perfectly suitable procedure can be chosen: Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK, SmartSight, PresbyMAX or lens surgery (lens exchange or lens implantation).

Does laser eye surgery hurt?

No. Most patients say that laser eye surgery is painless. The eyes are numbed with eye drops before the procedure. Don’t worry: contrary to widespread horror stories, no injection is used for anaesthesia. During the operation, you feel at most a slight sensation of pressure. After the anaesthesia wears off, the eye may be irritated for a few hours to days – painkillers are available for this time.

What aftercare is necessary after laser eye surgery?

Aftercare is essential to ensure fast healing without complications. At EyeLaser, two aftercare appointments are included: one shortly after the procedure (3 to 7 days) and the final check-up after about a month. Aftercare helps to identify problems quickly and counteract them in good time. If problems or questions arise in the meantime, your treating ophthalmologist is of course available at any time.

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