Patient questions about laser vision correction

What’s the success rate of laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a very effective treatment, with both Wavefront-Guided LASIK and SmartSurface laser eye surgery having very high success rates.

International studies show more than 99% of those who have laser vision correction have 20/20 vision or better following surgery.

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Does laser eye surgery hurt?

Laser eye surgery itself is pain-free, with only a mild pressure sensation very briefly during the surgery.   Following the treatment patients may feel some discomfort in the early stages of healing. The duration of the discomfort depends upon the type of surgery you've undergone, but usually only a few hours.

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How long will the results of laser eye surgery last for?

The good news is that the effect that modern laser has on the eye lasts forever. The new corneal shape that improves focus so nicely, does not change. What can change over time is your own eyes. Laser vision correction gives you normal vision for your age, that is great distance vision for decades, and typically when you turn 50+ years of age, readers (reading glasses) are helpful, but distance vision remains clear without glasses thanks to laser.

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What if I blink or move my eye during laser eye surgery?

Rest assured... Re:Vision has specifically chosen remarkably precise German laser technology (Schwind-Amaris 1050RS laser) because it has the most sophisticated eye-tracking system in NZ. Tracking your eye more than 1000 times per second means the laser reacts faster than your eye can possibly move, to ensure every laser pulse is delivered to the right spot with micron-precision.  

Before the laser is applied, painless anaesthetic eye drops are placed on the eye to stop the natural blink reflex.  As well as this, a small thin separator will comfortably keep you from blinking.

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How long does laser eye surgery take?

The actual time that the laser is adjusting the focus of the eye is only  3- 15 seconds.  You are in the procedure room for about 15minutes in total, and  usually you are at Re:Vision for 1 to 1 ½ hrs on the day of the procedure

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How quickly will I see the results of laser eye surgery?

You’ll see a big change immediately and almost everyone sees well enough to drive without glasses the following day.  In fact, 94% of Re:Vision’s LASIK patients are already seeing 20/20 or better  the very next day after their procedure - and it just keeps on improving for several weeks afterwards.

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How much does laser eye surgery cost?

$3,100 per eye including GST. We do have finance partners that offer easy payment options.

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I have astigmatism – can I still have laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is ideal for patients with astigmatism. Our technology allows us to treat even very high astigmatism very effectively.   Astigmatism treatment is very routine in our clinic, even if it is very high.   Our ophthalmic surgeons will check your eyes carefully for any problems that could cause the astigmatism to change or worsen over time - these conditions can normally be treated with other procedures.

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Are both eyes treated at the same time?

The eyes are operated on separately, but one after the other with very little delay unless you prefer to have a break in between.   It has been normal for many years to have both eyes operated on within minutes of each other, but surgery can be performed on a single eye at a time if you prefer.

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Am I suitable for laser eye surgery if I play contact sports?

Yes absolutely! In fact professional sportspeople use laser eye surgery to enhance their performance by avoiding hassles and variable vision with CLs and glasses. Re:Vision uses the newest and most precise & accurate Schwind laser technology to provide HD vision to increase performance. You can still play all sports including martial arts and other contact sports after laser eye surgery.   It is usually less than a week after surgery before youget right back into training and competing with confidence.

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When can I go swimming after laser eye surgery?

You should wait at least 10 days before swimming after your laser eye surgery in order to avoid the risk of infection.

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How long does laser eye surgery take to heal?

Your recovery time will depend on a number of factors, including the type of treatment you've had, your age, and your body’s natural healing ability. While a vast majority of patients experience improved vision within 24 hours of having surgery, full recovery can take up to a week.

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How long does the laser eye surgery procedure take?

You will be in and out of theatre in under 30 minutes, although the length of time that the laser is applied to your eye ranges from just a few seconds to two minutes, depending upon the complexity of your prescription.

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What is the minimum age for laser eye surgery?

It is important that patients have a stable prescription when opting for laser eye surgery and it is for that reason that many patients are not suitable until the age of  20.    Very occasionally, 18-20 years olds with low prescriptions may be treated if they have a good record of stability and have had regular eye checks - and it would be helpful for their sports or occupation.  

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How long should I take my contact lenses out before laser eye surgery?

It is important to not wear your contact lenses before the date of your surgery.  Soft contact lenses should be removed at least 2 full days prior to your assessment and hard lenses should be removed at least 8 weeks prior.  You can still have an assessment even if you can’t leave your contacts out that long, but additional visits may be needed.  During your consultation, our team will confirm how long you should leave your contact lenses out before having your laser eye surgery.

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How quickly will I see the results of laser eye surgery?

Most patients notice a significant improvement in vision within 24 hours of surgery. You'll see a vast improvement by the end of your recovery period, which depends upon a number of factors including the type of treatment you've undergone.

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When can I go back to work after laser eye surgery?

Your recovery time will depend on a number of factors, including the type of treatment you've had. Most Wavefront-guided LASIK patients could return to work within 24 hours of surgery, while for SmartSurface patients at least 4 days off work is recommended. Our team will discuss the best option for you depending on your work and your whanau and what is the safest and most convenient option for you.

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Go to our laser FAQ page for more common questions patients have asked about laser vision correction or book your free assessment