Cost
Eye laser treatment
Refractive errors
45 + Distance & reading glasses
- SmartSight (without flap)
Refractive lens exchange
- ReLEx SMILE
Lenticule extraction
- Femto-LASIK
Presbyopia
Pre-examination to follow-ups
- PresbyMAX eye laser treatment
THE most modern
- Refractive lens exchange
The latest generation
- Laser cataract surgery
THE classic
THE simplest
EYE LASER not suitable
Lens surgery
Dry eye treatment
Medically indicated
Who we help
45 + Glasses-free
- Astigmatism
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
55 + Glasses-free
- Presbyopia
Why eye laser?
Modern cataract surgery
Keratoconus / PMD & Crosslinking
Crosslinking

Contact

Laser eye surgery in Vienna & Linz - Laser eye surgery in Austria

The Treatment Process in Vienna: Your New Visual Freedom in 4 Safe Steps

Your decision to live without glasses requires trust—and trust is built through absolute transparency. At EyeLaser Vienna, we leave nothing to chance. From high-precision wavefront diagnostics to structured aftercare, our highly specialized team guides you every step of the way. Learn in detail how we transform the complex medical process into a relaxed, safe, and highly predictable experience for you. Premium quality at its finest in the heart of Vienna.

Online Booking Show me my suitability

Step 1: The Suitability Check (Free & Non-Binding)

Duration at the practice: approx. 15 to 20 minutes
Goal: An initial, reliable assessment of your suitability.

The path to a glasses-free life begins with the question: “Is my eye suitable for a procedure?” During our brief suitability check, an experienced optometrist measures your eyes using state-of-the-art diagnostics.

What happens here? We check your diopters and the general condition of your cornea.
The Result: You’ll find out whether a laser procedure or a lens treatment (EVO ICL, lens exchange) is more suitable for you. We discuss the process and financing options.

IMPORTANT: The contact lens break before every measurement!
Contact lenses microscopically deform your cornea (warpage effect). For reliable measurements, your eye must be in its completely natural shape. Please strictly observe the following breaks:

Soft contact lenses: discontinue 1 week before the appointment.
Hard (rigid gas permeable) lenses: discontinue 4 weeks.
Ortho-K lenses (overnight lenses): Discontinue at least 3 months (as these actively reshape the cornea).

Step 2: The Comprehensive Medical Pre-Examination

Duration at the practice: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours
Goal: Micrometer-precise data collection, retinal check, and medical clearance.

This is the most important appointment of the entire process. This is where we determine whether we can operate on you with a clear conscience. We collect data far beyond the standard:

High-End Diagnostics with MS39 AXL Gen2: This highly advanced OCT device provides us with extremely high-resolution cross-sectional images and topographic maps of your anterior eye segments. We see layers of the cornea that remain hidden to other devices.
Schwind Peramis (Wavefront Analysis): We measure the optical aberrations of your eye at 45,000 measurement points to create an individual profile for the laser.
Assessment of Lens and Retina: You receive eye drops (cycloplegia) that dilate your pupil and relax the eye muscle. This allows us not only to measure your true diopters but also to precisely assess the health of your natural eye lens and scan your retina in detail for tears or weak spots.
The Consultation: Dr. Derhartunian selects the exact surgical method and provides you with transparent information.
Important: Due to the dilated pupils, you will be extremely light-sensitive after this appointment and will see blurred. You must not drive yourself for 4-6 hours!

Step 3: The Day of Surgery

Duration at the practice: approx. 1 hour total.
Actual surgery duration: Laser approx. 15 minutes (for both eyes) | Lens surgery approx. 15 minutes (per eye).

Preparation at home (safety rule): On the day of surgery, you may eat and drink normally. Absolute prohibition applies to: Face creams, makeup, powder, perfume, and aftershave. Microparticles and vapors in the air can affect the energy of the excimer laser and compromise absolute surgical sterility.
At the practice: You receive numbing eye drops (no pain, no general anesthesia) and, if desired, a sedative tablet.
The Procedure: You lie comfortably on the surgical table and fixate on a green light. Our 7D eye tracker monitors your eye thousands of times per second. The procedure is usually over faster than patients expect.
After Surgery (The “No-Touch” Philosophy): After a brief rest period at the practice, you may go home with a companion. We deliberately do not examine your eyes at the slit lamp on this day. Why? The freshly lasered or operated tissue requires absolute rest in the first hours. Any direct light exposure or mechanical opening of the eyelids by the doctor would be an unnecessary irritation. Healing begins immediately.

Step 4: Aftercare & Healing (The EyeLaser Follow-Up Schedule)

Duration: Individual, precisely timed appointments over the first year.

Consistent aftercare is the key to your perfect visual outcome. You will receive a detailed drop schedule from us (antibiotic and lubricating drops) that you must strictly follow at home.

Our Binding Follow-Up Schedule:

Timing	Which patients?	What happens?
1 day after surgery	All patients (laser & lens)	First check of visual performance and wound healing. Driving ability is often confirmed at this point.
4 to 5 days after surgery	CXL & surface laser only (Trans-PRK)	Check of epithelial healing (the top cell layer must regrow).
1 week after surgery	Lens patients only	Verification of perfect lens positioning and intraocular pressure.
1 month after surgery	Laser & lens patients	Check of optical stability and tear film. Individual follow-ups as needed thereafter.
1 year after surgery	All patients	The comprehensive annual medical follow-up. The tissue is fully stabilized.

“An excellent surgical outcome begins long before the day of surgery. By using technologies like the MS39 AXL Gen2 and Peramis wavefront, we leave no room for guesswork. We map your eye with a precision that exceeds human imagination. When we start the laser on the day of surgery, we are simply implementing what we calculated 100% during the pre-examination.”
– Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO

Take the First Step Toward a Life Without Glasses

Every major change begins with a small, safe step. Book your non-binding suitability check now. Get to know our team and our high-end diagnostics in the heart of Vienna.

100% non-binding. No hidden costs. Highest medical standards.

Book a free eligibility check in Vienna now (15 min.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Treatment Process in Vienna

Do I need to fast for the eye surgery?

No. Since the procedure is performed under local anesthetic drops and not under general anesthesia, you may and should eat breakfast or lunch beforehand as normal.

Why can't I use face cream or make-up on the day of the surgery?

This is an essential safety rule. Makeup particles compromise the absolute sterility of the surgical field. Additionally, vapors from creams, powder, or perfume can alter the air composition in the operating room, which could interfere with the precise energy delivery of the sensitive excimer laser. Please come with a thoroughly washed, “bare” face.

Will I receive general anesthesia?

No, it is not medically necessary. Your eyes are numbed with special drops so effectively that you will not feel any pain.

What happens if I panic or have claustrophobia?

Nervousness is completely normal. If desired, we will give you a sedative tablet that has a very calming effect. Our device is not a closed tube, and our team speaks to you reassuringly throughout the very brief procedure.

Why does the pre-examination (Step 2) take almost two hours?

Premium safety does not tolerate assembly-line work. We use high-end diagnostics (MS39 AXL Gen2, Peramis). The drops to dilate the pupil (cycloplegia) require approximately 30 minutes to take effect. Additionally, the doctor assesses your natural lens, scans the retina for weak spots, and conducts a detailed consultation with you.

Why can't I wear contact lenses before the preliminary examination?

Contact lenses microscopically deform your cornea (warpage effect). For our topography devices to accurately map your corneal surface, soft lenses must be discontinued 1 week, hard lenses 4 weeks, and ortho-K lenses (overnight lenses) even 3 months before the appointment.

Can I drive myself immediately after the procedure?

No, absolutely not. Immediately after the procedure, the eye is light-sensitive and the sedative tablet impairs your reaction time. Please arrange for a companion to pick you up or use a taxi.

Why am I not examined at the slit lamp immediately after surgery?

The freshly lasered corneal tissue or the fine incisions after lens surgery require absolute rest in the first hours. Any bright light from the slit lamp or mechanical opening of the lids by the doctor would be an unnecessary irritation to your eye. You go home and rest your eyes. The first important check takes place safely the next day.

Will I receive sick leave (certificate of incapacity for work)?

Since refractive surgery is a “lifestyle procedure” (private service), officially no insurance-funded sick leave can usually be issued through the ÖGK. We recommend taking vacation time for the day of surgery and the following 1-2 days.

Does the eye hurt after surgery?

With Femto-LASIK, SmartSight, or lens surgeries, you usually feel a foreign body sensation for 4 to 6 hours (as if you had an eyelash in your eye), after which it subsides significantly. With surface Trans-PRK, the eye may burn for 2 to 4 days—you will receive special pain-relieving drops for this.

How long after surgery am I not allowed to shower or wash my hair?

You may shower the next day. However, it is extremely important that neither tap water nor shampoo gets into your eyes during the first week (tilt your head back when showering, keep your eyes tightly closed).

When can I wear makeup again?

Please refrain from all eye makeup for at least one week to avoid infections from bacteria in cosmetics.

When can I exercise again after the procedure?

Light exercise (jogging, stationary bike) is allowed again after 3 to 4 days (avoid sweat in the eye). You must strictly avoid swimming (Alte Donau, thermal baths) and sauna for 2 to 3 weeks to rule out dangerous infections.

Can I watch TV or read on my phone after surgery?

Yes, you may use your eyes. With many methods, screen work is possible again the day after surgery. However, use drops regularly, as the eyes tire and dry out more quickly at first.

When will I see 100% clearly?

Often, visual acuity at the first-day post-op check is already good enough for you to drive again. Nevertheless, the tissue is healing. Vision may fluctuate in the first weeks, morning and evening (neuroadaptation). The final, stable sharpness is usually achieved after 1 to 3 months.

Do you perform the pre-examination and surgery on the same day?

No. During the medical pre-examination, the pupils are dilated with drops. The eye must then fully regenerate to ensure natural pupil dynamics for the laser’s 7D eye tracker on the day of surgery.

May I bring a companion to the pre-examination?

Absolutely. It is very sensible, as a lot of medical information is discussed. Additionally, you are not allowed to drive yourself after the examination due to the dilated pupils anyway.

How do I pay for the surgery?

Payment is made after invoicing and can be conveniently done by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Installment payment plans are also available through our financing partners.

Do I need to wear special clothing on the day of surgery?

Wear something comfortable (e.g., soft pants, no thick turtleneck). The operating room is usually somewhat cooler due to the laser technology air conditioning. You will receive shoe covers and a sterile surgical cap from us.

What happens if I have questions or pain after surgery?

You will not be left alone. On the day of surgery, you receive an emergency number where Dr. Derhartunian or an experienced specialist from our team is available for operated patients even on weekends or at night.

Can I have surgery despite severe hay fever/allergies?

Yes, but timing is crucial. We recommend not performing laser surgery during the peak of your allergy season when you constantly have to rub your itchy eyes. A procedure in autumn or winter is often more comfortable.

How long does it take for the anesthetic drops to wear off after surgery?

The drops are very effective but dissipate after about 20 to 40 minutes. After that, the mild, temporary foreign body sensation sets in.

Is the eye removed during surgery?

A commonly believed but complete myth! The eye naturally remains absolutely safe and secure in the eye socket. Work is only performed on the outermost surface (cornea) or in the anterior interior (lens exchange) with microscopic precision.

How long do I need to use the eye drops after surgery?

You take the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops strictly according to schedule for approximately 1 week. Lubricating drops (artificial tears) should be used for approximately 1 to 3 months depending on the healing process.

Can it be determined during the pre-examination that I am NOT allowed to have surgery?

Yes. In approximately 15 to 20% of cases, we decline to perform a procedure, for example if the cornea is too thin, shows irregularities, or the retina/lens is not healthy. This strict selection is our most important quality and safety feature.