What, if any, are the risks of laser eye surgery? While some people experience problems with glare and light sensitivity for a few weeks after surgery, more serious complications, such as unwanted tissue growth and infection, are rare and can generally be treated.
How long before I can work? You can be back at work a couple of days after laser surgery, although it is recommended that you should avoid using heavy machinery until you are fully recovered.
How long should I wait after surgery before driving? Although you are legally allowed to drive as long as one of your eyes has 20/40 vision or better, you should probably wait for a couple of weeks, as it can take a little while to feel comfortable with the changes to your vision after surgery.
What is the recovery time? It takes most patients around six hours for the most obvious symptoms, such as light sensitivity, eye irritation, and blurry vision to pass. However, you should carry on using the prescribed eyedrops for at least a week.
What can you do while recovering? You can read, watch television, or use a computer after the initial six hours, and you should be able to do most things that do not require good vision or pressure on the eye the day after. However, you should avoid swimming for at least four days, and you must not rub or squeeze your eyes even if they are itchy.
Is it worth getting laser eye surgery if you are over fifty? Yes, although the deterioration in the eye that makes reading without glasses difficult as you grow older cannot be corrected with laser surgery. However, it can still be used to correct other visual dysfunctions.
Will my vision be fixed forever? The effects of laser surgery are permanent, and do not wear off as such, but if your eye changes over time, then you may need minor corrective surgery to put it right.
Is there a chance it could make things worse? Unless there are complications during or after surgery, there is little or no chance that the surgery will not improve your vision. If there are problems, they can usually be corrected with further surgery.
Brice Crellin has been wearing contact lenses for about 10 years now and has tried all the tips and tricks associated with them.