Question Areas
The risks of Laser Eye Surgery and the steps WEC has taken to reduce them
Why Laser Eye Surgery isn't right for everybody
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laser surgery?
Laser eye surgery is an operation which aims to perfect human eyesight using a computer controlled precision laser. During the fifteen-minute surgery the laser reshapes the cornea of the eye in a predetermined manner to improve your vision. The two most common types of laser eye surgery are LASIK and LASEK, although there are several other types of refractive surgery that can improve your vision when laser surgery is not the most appropriate option.
Explain to me what is short-sightedness is and what is long-sightedness?
Someone who is short-sighted sees better up close without their glasses than they do in the distance.
Someone who is long-sighted sees better in the distance than up close without their glasses. If the degree of long-sight is severe, then both distance and near vision are blurred, but distance is better than near vision.
Am I too old to benefit?
There is no upper age limit. However, we recommend that you be at least 18 years or older.
About the Procedure Itself
How long do the procedures take?
Approximately ten to fifteen minutes per eye.
Are the procedures painful?
No. The eyes may feel a bit gritty after LASIK for a few hours, but there is no pain. A full recovery from LASIK will normally be observed within 24hours. There is more discomfort with LASEK but it is still possible to treat both eyes at the same time with LASEK and full recovery is expected within five days.
Am I awake during the procedure?
Yes. You may be given a Valium tablet if you wish before the surgery. The only anaesthetic used is in the form of anaesthetic eye drops. They are extremely effective and there is usually no pain during the operation. There are no needles.
Are both eyes done at the same time?
LASIK is performed bilaterally simultaneously in ± 98% of the patients we treat (i.e. both eyes same day). The decision always rests with the patient however after considering the pros and cons. With LASEK 95% of patients do both eyes at the same time even though the recovery is slower and the first few days are more uncomfortable.
What happens if I look around?
The laser has a state of the art eye-tracker that will track each and every minute movement that your eye makes. The laser only fires when the eye is perfectly in position so there is no chance of your looking around affecting the procedure. The good news is that most people find it very easy to keep the eye still by focusing on the target fixation light.
Are the results immediate?
Most people start noticing an improvement in vision almost immediately. After LASIK you will normally be able to see without glasses or contact lenses within twenty four hours. With LASEK the visual recovery is slower but by day 5 most patients are seeing well.
Will I be able to drive home?
No. As blurring can occur in the immediate aftermath of the surgery it is not deemed safe to drive or operate machinery immediately following the procedure.
Can the procedures go wrong?
LASIK is a very safe procedure, even safer than wearing contact lenses. It does however carry risks like all other surgical procedures but they are generally manageable in experienced hands. The specific risks are explained in more detail below and will also be fully detailed to you during your consultation.
The risks of Laser Eye Surgery and the steps WEC has taken to reduce them
Is Laser Eye Surgery risky?
This is one of the first concerns many people have. The simple answer is a qualified no. Allow us to explain.
At this stage you have made the first step towards a life changing experience. You are either researching Laser Eye Surgery, have seen our information video or you have already had an evaluation examination and are weighing up your options.
The first thing to remember is that all surgery has risks and complications. Laser Eye Surgery is no different. However after conducting some research you will soon see that many of the myths and fears around Laser Eye Surgery are not backed up by any statistical evidence. As surgeries go, Laser Eye Surgery is relatively low-risk. However further context is needed; laser eye surgery is not a constant and much of its effectiveness depends on by whom and with what technology the surgery is performed. So it is less a question of whether you should have laser eye surgery and more a question of where you should have it. It’s imperative that when you trust a medical clinic with your eyesight you trust the proven leader in the field. Established in 1980 as Dublin’s only independent consultant-led clinic, the Wellington Eye Clinic stands steadfast as the proven leader in Laser Eye Surgery in Ireland, having performed more procedures than any other facility in the country and with access to the most effective state-of-the-art technology in the world.
Most of our referrals have been word of mouth indicating a very high satisfaction rate amongst our patients. Each and every case was worked up by an ophthalmic surgeon. We can guarantee you that your surgeon would have performed at least 8000 LASIK procedures and that most would have been worked up / evaluated by the surgeon personally.
How do the risks compare with alternatives?
Laser Eye Surgery PERFORMED IN A CLINIC SUCH AS THE WELLINGTON EYE CLINIC IS 8 TIMES SAFER THAN WEARING DAILY DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES (the safest contact lens) in terms of sight-threatening complications.No one point emphasises the relative low-risk of laser eye surgery better than this.
What kinds of people have already had Laser Eye Surgery?
The professional group that has had Laser Eye Surgery more than anyone else is accountants: approximately 1% of all accountants have had Laser Eye Surgery done. Those are absolute numbers. When looking at the group that has had Laser Eye Surgery done more than anyone else in relative terms, we learn that 32% of eye surgeons that are members of the American Cataract and Refractive Surgery Society have had LASIK done. 32 times more than the accountants. (An incredible endorsement of the safety and efficacy of LASIK and laser eye surgery in general by the people who understand it best).
What are the main concerns that have been related to Laser Eye Surgery?
(1) Poor vision in low light, glare and halo effects and difficulty with night driving
(2) Dry eyes
(3) Deterioration of vision years after surgery
(4) Infection
(5) Costs
The Wellington Eye Clinic supports patient awareness and the need for patients to be fully informed of all aspects of the procedure. We are aware of the genuine concerns and problem areas listed above and that’s why we’ve taken unprecedented steps to overcome them for our patients.
What steps have the Wellington Eye Clinic taken to reduce these risks?
We have the only laser (Wavelight Allegretto Wave) in the country that incorporates Wavefront technology (Wavefront optimised) in every single laser treatment and has been doing so for the last 5 years. What this means to you? A significantly reduction in the risk of having glare and night-time driving problems after surgery.
We have 4 full-time Irish Medical Council Specialist Registered Ophthalmologists with an accumulated experience of over 27,000 LASIK cases and offering 24-7 cover. Our doctors do everything possible to identify patients that may develop dry eyes. With the widest range of customized laser treatments (including Wavefront-guided, topography-guided and asphericity-guided) our surgeons are able to improve outcomes for patients that have been treated elsewhere with less desirable results. We do everything possible for patients suffering with dry eyes to minimize the extent and duration of dry eye problems. Thanks to this, we rarely see persistent cases of dry eye syndrome.
In a very infrequent set of cases deterioration of eyesight can occur in the years following your operation. Since 2004 Wellington Eye Clinic have offered a lifetime warranty that is unique in Ireland: if at any time in the future your vision regresses to a point where you need glasses to drive, we will perform the enhancement surgery necessary entirely free of charge.
Infection is the single most serious complication that can be associated with Laser Eye Surgery. Fortunately thanks in part to our outstanding team and state-of-the-art facilities, post-operative infection has never occurred in a Wellington Eye Clinic patient to date. This is the primary reason that we are comfortable doing bilateral simultaneous Laser Eye Surgery. The occurrence of serious infections is higher in hospital settings and high-street settings.
No hidden costs. The fee which we detail in all of our publications for Laser Eye Surgery is totally comprehensive. All follow ups, post-operative care and necessary enhancements are included (follow-up visits for 12 months post-op). As mentioned, since 2004, we are the only clinic in Ireland to offer a lifetime guarantee to all of our patients so that if for some reason vision was to regress the initial fee would cover all enhancement surgery.
Our declarations are supported by our own audited and published results. All of these facts will be or have been explained at your comprehensive evaluation. This information is strictly for prospective Wellington patients and those who have undergone evaluation for Laser Eye Surgery at the Wellington Clinic. Being found suitable for Laser Eye Surgery at the Wellington Clinic does NOT necessarily make you a suitable candidate for Laser Eye Surgery at other Clinics.
If you do not understand anything at your evaluation...Remember to ask
Why do some doctors still wear glasses?
That's a fair question with a simple answer: because they are not good candidates for refractive eye surgery.
Why would someone not be a good candidate?
Because their prescription is too high or too low for refractive eye surgery. Because their corneas are too thin or their eyes too dry. Because they have an underlying corneal condition that prevents them from having laser eye surgery. All of these conditions are determined on a one-to-one basis during your comprehensive two hour assessment with our eye surgeon.
Do doctors have LASIK?
Absolutely; more so than any other profession - 26% of ophthalmic surgeons registered with the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons have had refractive surgery. The next most common profession to have had LASIK is the accountancy profession where around 1% has had LASIK.
Where do ophthalmic surgeons have LASIK?
They have LASIK with well-respected experienced colleagues with a proven track record and access to the most up-to-date effective technology. 
How much do the procedures cost?
The procedure costs €2050.00 to €2200.00 per eye and this covers you for up to one year for all your post operative visits and any immediate enhancement surgery that may be needed after surgery. The Clinic also has a unique life-time warranty that states that if ever, at anytime in the future, your vision regresses to a point where glasses are required for driving again, we will undertake to do the enhancement surgery at no cost, irrespective of how many years have passed since the original procedure.
Can I claim them against tax or on my VHI?
You can claim your tax back on the procedure at 22% by obtaining a MED 1 Form available in the clinic and submitting it with your receipt for tax relief. You will need to contact your local tax office for further details on your entitlement. While The VHI or Quinn Healthcare do not cover the full cost of eye surgery, as a member of either VHI or Quinn Healthcare you may qualify for a 15% discount.
