Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the operation painful?
The operation takes only four or five minutes per eye and is carried out with anaesthetic eye drops that numb the eyes, eliminating the possibility of pain.
During the first four hours after the operation you might experience some discomfort – a slight soreness and sensitivity to light – but that will disappear on its own.

Are all lasers the same?
In ophthalmology, technology progresses very quickly and only those clinics that have the capacity to reinvest in new equipment are able to keep up to date. In VistaLáser, we use the Allegretto EYE-Q 400 Laser, made by the German manufacturers Wavelight, to carry out customised treatments based on wavefront and modifications of corneal asphericity. This laser has received approval from both the American FDA and the European Union.

What is wavefront guided customised laser surgery?
Wavefront guided laser technology is the most important advance in the field of vision correction.
Glasses and lenses correct vision with only one graduation for the whole eye. However, eyes are not completely uniform and if we divide the eye into 20 different areas it can be seen that the degree of correction necessary for each one differs slightly. With our Wavelight aberrometer we measure 64 different points of the eye and adjust the treatment accordingly. The result is vision that is often better than that obtained by wearing glasses.

Can longsightedness caused by ageing be operated on?
Longsightedness caused by ageing or presbyopia is often mistakenly confused with hyperopia, but is quite a different condition. It consists of a loss of ability to focus clearly on things close to the eye, for example when reading, and gradually occurs after 45 years of age. Patients who have their myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism operated on, but also have presbyopia will continue to need glasses for activities like reading.
However, many people find a solution to this problem by using a contact lens for far vision in one eye and for near vision in the other instead of wearing bifocal glasses, this is known as monovision. The same effect can be produced with laser surgery, solving this problem of near and far vision in a single operation.
Another way of offsetting the problem of age-related longsightedness that remains after correcting the refractive problems of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism is by using a technique called Presby LASIK. This technique increases the depth of focus by modifying corneal asphericity thereby improving close vision for patients with age-related longsightedness or presbyopia.

Will it take long to get back to my normal way of life after the operation?
One of the advantages of the LASIK technique is that you will regain your sight very quickly and can return to your normal way of life almost immediately. It is important to rest during the first four hours after the operation because you will experience a gritty feeling in your eyes and light may bother you. Afterwards, patients recuperate quickly and in most cases they are able to return to work two days after the operation. You will recover 100% of your vision within a few days and your sight will have stabilised completely after five months.

Will I have to do anything special to look after my eyes after the operation?
At VistaLáser we carry out a meticulous follow up after the operation and we will tell you exactly what you have to do. You will have to follow a course of medication for some days and take precautions like ensuring that you do not get water in your eyes. To avoid the danger of your eyes being hit, you will not be able to play contact sports for a while either.

What if I blink during the operation?
It is impossible to blink during the operation because we use an instrument to separate the eyelids which prevents you from closing your eyes even if you want to.
The surgeon will continually moisten your eyes with artificial tears so you will not experience any discomfort.

What if I move during the operation?
You should not move your eyes during the operation; this is why we ask patients to concentrate their sight on the laser’s green light. During the 30 seconds when the laser is being applied the position of the eye is monitored 200 times a second to ensure that the eye is in the correct position and the treatment is administered properly.

If my sight is not completely corrected after the operation, is it possible to have a second operation to enhance my vision?
In some cases – less than 10% – there is still a slight residual refractive error that can be corrected in a second operation that is usually carried out three months later.

What are the risks involved?
There are risks to refractive surgery with a laser, just as there are with any other operation. Your ophthalmologist will give you detailed information of any risks once your individual case has been analysed. In any case, since the operation is not invasive (in other words we do not open or touch the inside of the eye) the risk of provoking serious visual problems is almost non-existent. Minor problems that may arise are usually treated with a course of medication.

Might I still need to wear glasses after the operation?
Once your doctor considers that you have completely recovered, the refractive error that has been eliminated by the laser will not return. The curvature of the cornea is modified by actually removing cells from its intermediate layer so this structural change is irreversible.
We also need to make sure that the patient’s visual problem is stable in order to ensure that post-operative alterations do not affect the results.