Laser Vision Correction in Sydney
LASIK, Lenticule Extraction (KLex), PRK and ICL - Lower North Shore
Freedom from glasses and contact lenses is one of the most meaningful changes a person can make to their daily life. Laser vision correction is the most widely performed elective surgical procedure in the world, with a track record spanning more than three decades and outcomes that continue to improve as technology advances.
At Lumière Vision in Cremorne, laser vision correction is performed by Dr Tanya Trinh - a triple fellowship-trained corneal and refractive surgeon whose training at the University of Toronto, one of the world's foremost centres for corneal and refractive surgery, places her among the most credentialed surgeons of her kind in Australia. Every assessment is thorough, every recommendation is honest, and every procedure is performed personally.
This page covers everything you need to know: what each procedure involves, who is and is not suitable, what recovery looks like, how the options compare, and what it all costs in Australia.
Why Choose Lumière Vision?
We recognise that your eyes are as individual as you are. Their complexity demands time, expertise, and meticulous attention to detail. Through an extensive suite of sophisticated diagnostics and clinical examinations, we build a complete and nuanced picture of your vision and eye health.
At Lumière Vision, excellence is not an aspiration - it is the standard that defines every stage of your experience with us. From your very first visit, our focus is on delivering an uncompromising level of care, precision, and personal attention.
Your consultation is designed to be far more than a routine assessment. We offer an exceptionally detailed and unhurried evaluation, reflecting our belief that true clinical excellence begins with complete understanding. We are proud of the fact that our consultations are one of the most comprehensive and therefore longest evaluations you will have on your ocular health = because we know our approach is among the most advanced and comprehensive in the field of laser eye surgery.
This depth of insight allows us not only to determine your suitability with absolute confidence, but to craft a bespoke treatment plan - one that is precisely tailored to you, and to you alone.
What Is Laser Vision Correction?
Laser vision correction is a broad term encompassing a category of procedures that use precision laser technology to correct refractive errors - the optical imperfections that cause blurry vision. When the eye is not shaped correctly or is too long or short in length, light does not focus precisely on the retina at the back of the eye, and the result is vision that glasses or contact lenses must compensate for.
- Short-sightedness (myopia) - difficulty seeing objects at a distance clearly
- Long-sightedness (hyperopia) - difficulty focusing on near objects
- Astigmatism - blurred or distorted vision caused by an irregular cornea
- Near vision correction for reading (presbyopia) -- using a technique called blended vision, where appropriate.
Laser procedures reshape the cornea - the clear front window of the eye - so that it focuses light correctly without the need for optical aids. The three main corneal laser techniques are LASIK, Lenticule Extraction (SmartSight/SMILE/SILK/CLEAR), and PRK. A fourth option, the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), places a lens inside the eye rather than altering the cornea, and is available for patients who are either not suitable candidates for corneal laser surgery or who prefer a non-laser alternative.
Am I a Suitable Candidate?
This is the most important question - and the one that the pre-operative assessment at Lumière Vision is designed to answer with precision. Not everyone is suitable for every procedure, and suitability is not a simple checklist. You cannot simply have “what my friend had”. It requires a thorough examination of your corneal thickness and shape, the stability of your prescription over time, the health of your ocular surface, and an understanding of your lifestyle, occupation, and visual demands.
Sometimes you may be eligible for more than one type of vision correction surgery and Dr Trinh will discuss these options in detail with you and choose the best option tailored to your needs.
Who Is Generally Not Suitable for Corneal Laser Surgery?
- Patients with corneas that are too thin or irregularly shaped (including early keratoconus)
- Those with significant dry eye that is not adequately treated
- Those with active corneal scarring or disease
- Those with certain autoimmune conditions
- Those with prescriptions outside the safe treatment range
For many patients in these categories, ICL is an appropriate alternative and will be discussed in depth at your consultation.
Is 60 too old for laser eye surgery?
Age alone is not a disqualifying factor, but it does influence which procedure is most appropriate. The real answer depends on how much your lenses have aged internally, which is determined by a comprehensive assessment within the clinic.
From the mid-40s onward, the natural lens inside the eye begins to lose flexibility, leading to the need for reading glasses (presbyopia).
For older patients, refractive lens exchange - replacing the natural lens with a premium artificial lens - may offer a better overall value and visual outcome than corneal laser correction alone, which does not address the ageing lens.
We are not in the business of offering one procedure and then jumping onto another within another few years; we are committed to offering the best option and balance between value and longevity of vision, with a focus on quality.
Dr Trinh will advise you honestly on which path best serves your individual eyes and life stage.
What age is best for laser eye surgery?
Generally speaking, the ideal age window is generally 20 to 45 because the internal lenses have not yet aged too much.
Prescriptions tend to stabilise in the mid-20s, which is why many surgeons prefer to wait until then before recommending surgery.
As a general guide, you may be a suitable candidate for laser vision correction if you are over 18 with a prescription that has been stable for at least 12 months, have corneas of adequate thickness and regular shape, have a healthy ocular surface free of significant dry eye or active corneal disease, and have realistic expectations about what correction can achieve.
The upper boundary is influenced by the onset of loss of reading vision (presbyopia) and the eventual development of cataracts, which may make lens-based surgery a more comprehensive solution.
For ages 45-60, laser based options are still available but do require some compromise to compensate for ageing changes inside the eye, which are progressive during this time period.
LASIK is generally best suited for:
- Patients with adequate corneal thickness (typically 500 microns or more)
- Those wanting the fastest visual recovery
- Those with myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism within the safe treatment range
- Those with lower to moderate prescriptions
LASIK-specific risks to understand:
The corneal flap carries a small lifelong risk of dislocation with significant eye trauma. This is a more of a consideration for patients in contact sports (martial arts, waterpolo, netball) or high-impact occupations. Skin cells may growth underneath the flap, which if mild can safely be left alone, or if progressive will require a relift of the flap to scrape off the offending skin cells and reposition the flap.
LASIK - Laser In Situ Keratomileusis
LASIK is the most widely performed laser vision correction procedure in the world, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of all laser vision correction procedures. It has a safety record spanning more than 30 years and consistently delivers excellent outcomes for appropriately selected patients.
How it works:
A femtosecond laser creates a superior thin hinged flap in the outer layer of the cornea. The flap is gently lifted, and an excimer laser precisely reshapes the corneal tissue beneath. The flap is then repositioned, where it adheres without sutures. The cornea's architecture is restored, and light now focuses correctly onto the retina.
The procedure:
LASIK is performed as a day procedure. Both eyes are treated in the same session. The procedure itself takes approximately 20 minutes for both eyes, though you should expect to be at the surgical facility for around three hours.
Anaesthetic drops numb the eye to enhance the comfort of the procedure. Your eye is gently supported in staying open so you don’t have to worry about keeping the eye open yourself.
An optional oral relaxation medication is available.
Modern lasers use advanced infrared eye-tracking technology that continuously monitors eye movement and pauses automatically if the eye moves out of position. No stitches are required.
Recovery:
LASIK has one of the fastest recovery profiles of any elective procedure. Vision typically improves significantly within the first 24 hours, and most patients can perform basic daily activities the day after surgery. A mild scratchy sensation and light sensitivity are common in the first 24 to 48 hours. You may expect some fluctuations in vision which improves over the first three months. Vision continues to stabilise over three to six months.
Dry eye is the most common side effect, typically resolving within three to six months as corneal nerve regeneration occurs which can take up to 12 months to get back to 90% of its baseline.
LASIK carries a higher short-term dry eye risk than KLEX due to greater disruption of corneal nerves during flap creation. The research literature over the long term however, shows that dry eye symptoms between the two procedures are equivalent.
Procedure 1
KLEX vs LASIK - which is better?
KLEX-specific risks to understand:
Skin cells may growth underneath the cap within the pocket, which if mild can safely be left alone, or if progressive will require an exploration and irrigation of the pocket to remove the offending skin cells.
Lenticule Extraction - Small Incision Lenticule Extraction
Known as KLEX (or commercially known as SMILE, CLEAR, SmartSight, SILK) this is the most recent developed and minimally invasive of the three corneal laser procedures.
It requires no flap and uses a single femtosecond laser to create a tiny disc of corneal tissue - called a lenticule - within the intact cornea. This lenticule is removed through a small keyhole incision of two to four millimetres, gently reshaping the cornea from within.
How it works:
A single femtosecond laser creates the lenticule inside the cornea. Dr Trinh separates and removes the lenticule through the small incision. No flap is created at any point. No excimer laser is used. The cornea heals with its surface architecture largely intact.
SMILE is generally best suited for:
Neither procedure is universally superior.
LASIK has a longer evidence base and longer safety evidence, treats a broader range of prescriptions including hyperopia, and offers slightly faster initial visual recovery.
KLEX has a lower short-term dry eye profile, no lifelong flap risk, and some evidence of superior corneal biomechanical stability.
Dr Trinh will recommend the procedure that is genuinely optimal for your eyes - not the most convenient one to offer.
Dry eye is the most common side effect, typically resolving within three to six months. The research literature over the long term however, shows that dry eye symptoms between the LASIK and KLEX procedures are equivalent.
Procedure 2
KLEX is not a replacement for LASIK surgery - it is an alternative for patients who are genuinely better served by it.
Recovery:
LASIK has one of the fastest recovery profiles of any elective procedure. Vision typically improves significantly within the first 24 hours, and most patients can perform basic daily activities the day after surgery. A mild scratchy sensation and light sensitivity are common in the first 24 to 48 hours. You may expect some fluctuations in vision which improves over the first three months. Vision continues to stabilise over three to six months.
Visual outcomes at six months and beyond are comparable between the two, as are the long-term outcomes of dry eye.
- Patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism who want a flapless procedure
- Those with dry eye concerns – KLEX appears to preserve more corneal nerves than LASIK, which published literature associates with lower short-term dry eye incidence, but long term outcomes are equivalent.
- Those in physically active lifestyles or sports where the absence of a flap offers additional reassurance
- Note: KLEX is in its early stages of being developed to treat hyperopia (long-sightedness), so long-sighted patients are more likely to consider LASIK or PRK
KLEX can be slightly harder to enhance if there is a residual prescription which may occur in up to 10 percent of patients.
PRK - Surface Laser Eye Surgery
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) - also known as ASLA (Advanced Surface Laser Ablation) - is the tried-and-true original laser vision correction procedure and remains highly relevant today. Many surgeons still opt for PRK for their own eye surgery as the safety profile is so robust.
Rather than creating a flap or incision within the cornea, PRK removes the cornea's outermost cell layer (the epithelium) entirely, applies the excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue, and allows the epithelium to naturally regenerate over the following days under the comfort and protection of a contact lens.
How it works:
The epithelium (skin cells) is gently removed. The excimer laser reshapes the cornea. A protective bandage contact lens is placed while the epithelium heals. Eye drops are used for several weeks to prevent infection, promote healing and prevent haze.
PRK is generally best suited for:
Procedure 3
Recovery:
PRK has a slightly longer and slightly more uncomfortable initial recovery than LASIK or KLEX. Vision is typically improved and a little blurry for the first week while the epithelium regenerates, and the eye may be more uncomfortable in the first two to four days. Paracetamol and prescribed drops manage discomfort for most patients. Vision continues to improve and stabilise over three to six months. Importantly, long-term outcomes are equivalent to LASIK and KLEX.
- Patients whose corneas are too thin for LASIK or KLEX
- Those in high-risk contact sports or occupations where a corneal flap would be inadvisable
- Those with a history of previous laser surgery requiring enhancement
- Those with certain dry eye conditions that make flap or lenticule creation less ideal
- Those with mild irregular corneal surfaces where surface ablation is technically advantageous
ICL versus laser surgery - what to know:
Published literature suggests ICL may provide superior visual quality for patients with higher levels of short-sightedness when compared to LASIK, and carries a lower risk of post-operative dry eye. However, it is an intraocular procedure - meaning it involves surgery inside the eye - which carries a slightly different risk profile than corneal surface procedures.
ICL - Implantable Collamer Lens (Lens Implant Vision Correction)
The Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a vision correction option for patients who are not suitable candidates for corneal laser surgery - or who prefer a non-laser alternative that does not permanently alter the cornea. It is the only reversible option of vision correction surgery available, which lends to its appeal particularly within the Southeast Asian regions of the world.
How it works:
A small incision is made at the edge of the cornea. The folded ICL is inserted through the incision and positioned behind the iris, where it unfolds naturally. Sutures are generally not required. The procedure takes 15 minutes per eye and is performed as a day procedure under local anaesthetic and sedation.
ICL is generally best suited for:
- Patients with moderate to high prescriptions, particularly short-sightedness beyond -6.0 D
- Those with thin or irregular corneas who are not suitable for laser procedures
- Those with significant dry eye that would be worsened by corneal laser surgery
- Patients aged approximately 21 to 45 with stable prescriptions who prefer a reversible option
- Those in contact sports or demanding physical occupations where a cornea-sparing approach is preferred
The reversibility advantage:
Unlike corneal laser procedures, which permanently alter the cornea, an ICL can be removed or replaced if needed - for example, if a prescription changes significantly (rare), or if cataract surgery is undertaken later in life. This reversibility provides reassurance for younger patients.
The cost of ICL procedure would involve the two lenses, the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital fee.
Procedure 4
Rather than reshaping the cornea, an ICL is a tiny, soft biocompatible lens implanted inside the eye, between the iris (the coloured part) and the natural lens.
The lens is made from Collamer, a material containing collagen that is exceptionally well tolerated by the eye. It sits invisibly behind the iris and provides a treatment option for short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. It does not require maintenance and is invisible to others. In some cases patients may be eligible to have their reading vision loss treated as well.
Rare but possible complications include elevated eye pressure, early cataract development, and corneal endothelial cell loss. Dr Trinh will discuss your individual risk profile in detail.
How the Procedures Compare
The cost of ICL procedure would involve the two lenses, the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital fee.
Procedure type
LASIK
KLEX
PRK/ASLA
ICL
Corneal flap creation + laser
Lenticule creation by laser and manual removal from a pocket
Surface laser, no flap or cap
Lens inside eye
Treats short-sightedness
Treats long-sightedness
Treats astigmatism
Recovery speed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
In some cases
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (myopic only)
Yes
Yes
Fastest (1-2 days)
Moderate (1-4 weeks)
Slowest (1-2 weeks)
Moderate (1-4 weeks)
Dry eye risk
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Lowest
Suitable thin corneas
Limited
Limited
Better
Yes
Reversible
No
No
No
Yes
Contact sports
With caution
Yes
Yes
With caution
Medicare covered
No
No
No
No
How the Procedures Compare
The cost of ICL procedure would involve the two lenses, the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital fee.
LASIK
Procedure type
Corneal flap creation + laser
Treats short-sightedness
Yes
Treats long-sightedness
Yes
Treats astigmatism
Yes
Recovery speed
Fastest (1-2 days)
Dry eye risk
Moderate
Suitable thin corneas
Limited
Reversible
With caution
Contact sports
With caution
Medicare covered
No
KLEX
Procedure type
Lenticule creation by laser and manual removal from a pocket
Treats short-sightedness
Yes
Treats long-sightedness
In some cases
Treats astigmatism
Yes (myopic only)
Recovery speed
Moderate (1-4 weeks)
Dry eye risk
Moderate
Suitable thin corneas
Limited
Reversible
No
Contact sports
Yes
Medicare covered
No
KLEX
Procedure type
Lenticule creation by laser and manual removal from a pocket
Treats short-sightedness
Yes
Treats long-sightedness
In some cases
Treats astigmatism
Yes (myopic only)
Recovery speed
Moderate (1-4 weeks)
Dry eye risk
Moderate
Suitable thin corneas
Limited
Reversible
No
Contact sports
Yes
Medicare covered
No
PRK/ASLA
Procedure type
Surface laser, no flap or cap
Treats short-sightedness
Yes
Treats long-sightedness
Yes
Treats astigmatism
Yes
Recovery speed
Slowest (1-2 weeks)
Dry eye risk
Moderate
Suitable thin corneas
Better
Reversible
No
Contact sports
Yes
Medicare covered
No
ICL
Procedure type
Lens inside eye
Treats short-sightedness
Yes
Treats long-sightedness
Yes
Treats astigmatism
Yes
Recovery speed
Moderate (1-4 weeks)
Dry eye risk
Lowest
Suitable thin corneas
Yes
Reversible
Yes
Contact sports
With caution
Medicare covered
No
Does Laser Eye Surgery “Wear Off”?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about laser vision correction - and the answer requires a clear distinction between two different things.
The most common reason for vision to change years after laser correction is the natural loss of reading vision (development of presbyopia) - the progressive loss that affects virtually everyone from their mid-40s onward.
However, your eyes continue to age after surgery. As much as we would like to, we can’t stop you from ageing.
A smaller number of patients experience some regression - a gradual partial return of their original prescription - particularly those with higher initial prescriptions or with farsightedness (hyperopia). This can often be addressed with a refinement procedure if the corneal thickness permits.
The corneal reshaping achieved by LASIK, KLEX, or PRK is permanent. The laser permanently removes corneal tissue in a precise pattern, and this change does not reverse itself. In that sense, the correction is lasting.
This is not the laser correction failing; it is your ageing lens inside the eye gradually losing flexibility. The correction of your original distance prescription remains, but reading glasses will still become necessary over time.
Dry eye (already incredibly common amongst the unoperated population), can persist or develop years after surgery (due to ageing, hormonal changes, environment, medication and illness), which in turn can also contribute to a decreased quality of vision.
The most common causes of blurred vision years after laser correction are reading vision loss (the ageing near-vision effect described above), regression of the original correction (in a small number of patients) and rarely, warpage of the front window of the eye (cornea) due to excessive eye rubbing or sleep related compression.
A comprehensive review with an ophthalmologist will identify the cause and the options available.
Why is my vision blurry 10 years after Laser Vision Correction?
What Are the Risks and Disadvantages?
This is why the pre-operative screening at Lumière Vision is rigorous and comprehensive – and as Dr Trinh is also fellowship trained cornea surgeon, you will also benefit from the expertise of having a cornea surgeon evaluate your eyes.
Corneal ectasia - a progressive weakening and distorted shape of the cornea - is one of the most feared complication of corneal laser surgery. It is strongly associated with patients who rub their eyes excessively or sleep on their eyes (and compressing them, causing distortion), operating on corneas that are too thin or that have irregular topography consistent with early keratoconus.
Proper patient selection is the most important safety measure in refractive surgery.
Laser vision correction has an excellent safety record when performed on appropriately selected patients in the peer reviewed literature. Over 95 per cent of patients achieve driving-standard vision or better following surgery, and serious complications are uncommon. No surgery on any organ of the body however is without risk and understanding the risks specific to you and your eyes is an essential part of informed consent.
You will always be given a written copy of your consent to peruse and you will always have a full consultation with Dr Trinh to discuss these. Patients are always welcome to call or email in any further questions which the Lumière team would be delighted to answer as well.
Common and generally temporary:
- Dry eye symptoms, typically moving back to baseline within three to six months but can be as long as 12 months
- Mild halos, glare, or starbursts around lights at night, most pronounced in the first weeks to months and diminishing as the eye heals and the brain adapts
- Light sensitivity and grittiness in the early recovery period
- Fluctuating vision while the cornea settles
Less common:
- Regression - a partial return of the original prescription, more likely with higher prescriptions
- Refractive surprise - the final prescription differing from the intended target due to individual variation in healing. Enhancement procedures are available and included within the first 12 months if needed.
Rare but serious:
Other rare serious risks include infection, persistent flap or cap complications (LASIK or KLEX), corneal scarring or haze (more associated with PRK, rare with modern techniques), and in extremely rare cases, permanent vision loss.
The most important safety factor is thorough and detailed pre-operative screening to identify patients who should not have the procedure.
No surgical procedure on any part of the body is 100 per cent safe. However, laser vision correction performed on appropriately selected patients using the most modern technology by a fellowship-trained refractive surgeon has a very strong safety profile, with serious complication rates well below one per cent in most published series.
Is laser eye surgery 100 per cent safe?
Many patients describe it as one of the best decisions of their adult lives. Dr Trinh will give you an honest, unrushed assessment - and if she does not think the procedure is the right choice for your eyes, she will tell you.
For suitable patients, the research evidence consistently shows high satisfaction rates, significant quality of life improvement, and durable outcomes. The decision is personal and involves weighing the long-term convenience and cost savings against the upfront investment and the small but real surgical risks.
Is it worth getting laser eye surgery?
The Pre-Operative Assessment - What to Expect
The assessment before laser vision correction is the most important appointment in the entire process. It determines not only whether you are suitable, but which procedure is optimal for your eyes specifically.
At Lumière Vision, the pre-operative assessment includes a full evaluation of your corneal thickness and topography (the shape and curvature of your corneal surface), measurement of your full optical prescription including wavefront analysis, assessment of your ocular surface and tear film for dry eye, corneal strength, corneal endothelial health, measurement of the lengths of the components of the eye, pupil size measurement, and a full ocular health examination.
- Soft contact lenses: must not be worn for at least 5 days before your assessment appointment. Hard (rigid) contact lenses: must not be worn for 3 weeks before your assessment.
- Contact lenses alter the shape of the cornea, affecting the accuracy of measurements. If we find that your “shape” and prescription out of contact lenses changes considerably over time, we will ask you to wait longer and repeat the measurements until you have reached stability.
- Think of it like taking off a tight bra or underwear after a day of wear and noticing the indents or impressions left on the skin - we don’t want to be measuring eyes that have impressions from the contact lenses - we want to be measuring your eyes in their most natural unadulterated shape for best precision and accuracy.
- At the end of the day, you are making a significant investment into the quality and outcome of your vision correction surgery, and this depends entirely on the accuracy and consistency of the measurements. However long it takes, we are here to support your journey.
Contact lens wearers must stop wearing lenses before your assessment
If the assessment finds that corneal laser surgery is not appropriate for your eyes, Dr Trinh will explain why clearly and discuss all alternatives - including ICL, refractive lens exchange, and continued glasses or contact lens wear. Not being suitable for one procedure does not mean there is no option. Sometimes doing no surgery is also the best option.
What the Surgery Feels Like - Patient Experiences
The fear of the procedure is, for most patients, considerably worse than the procedure itself. The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops before anything begins, so the comfort is very tolerable. A gentle speculum supports the eye in staying open - you may still blink with the other eye. The laser phase takes seconds to minutes. Most patients describe seeing changing colours and lights rather than the procedure itself. You may expect the sensations of water, pressure, and at times the vision will be misty or very very dark - all of these experiences are normal.
The most common word used by patients in the immediate recovery room is 'misty but very bright.' Many describe the world looking cleaner, crisper, and more vivid than they expected within hours of surgery. The first morning waking up and reading a clock or a phone without reaching for glasses is often described as one of the most striking moments of the experience.
The pavlovian response of reaching for glasses is a harder habit to break.
The single most important instruction in the early recovery period is: KEEP YOUR SHIELDS ON AND DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES. Rubbing can damage the healing surface in ANY procedure or displace a LASIK flap.
Recovery - Week by Week
Recovery timelines vary by procedure. Here is a practical guide.
Go home directly. Rest with eyes gently closed as much as possible. Do not forcibly squeeze them. You may wish to stock up on audiobooks and podcasts to pass the time.
Eye shields are provided - wear them as instructed overnight to prevent accidental rubbing.
A sleeping tablet and pain relief are provided. Do not consume alcohol or operate machinery while taking the sleeping tablet.
Night of surgery:
Full visual stabilisation occurs over this period. Halos, glare, and dry eye symptoms typically improve progressively over this window as the brain adapts. Annual optometrist review is recommended from this point onwards.
Month one to six:
Return to Lumière Vision for your post-operative check.
Our comprehensive post operative care team will assess vision and healing.
You may not drive until cleared at this appointment.
Eye drops begin: antibiotic drops four times daily for one week, steroid drops four times daily for three weeks then tapered, and lubricating drops four to eight times daily for six to eight weeks.
Day one:
Vision is typically functional for most daily tasks, though not yet fully stable. Do not wash your hair until after your Day 1 appointment and when washing hair, approach this “hairdresser style” meaning, with the head tilted back to avoid water going into the eyes.
Avoid soap, shampoo, or water in the eyes for one week.
No eye makeup for one week. No rubbing or pressing the eyes.
Week one:
Vision continues to improve and stabilise. Most patients are driving and back to normal work. No swimming for two weeks following LASIK or KLEX (longer for PRK). No contact sports or very heavy lifting for four weeks.
Weeks two to four:
Do not rub your eyes or sleep on them, ever. This instruction applies for life due to the permanent presence of the thinner cornea.
Important - for life after Vision Correction Surgery
What Does Laser Eye Surgery Cost in Australia?
After discharge, ongoing monitoring is performed with your optometrist.
Laser vision correction is an elective procedure and is not covered by Medicare. Some private health insurance extras policies offer a partial rebate - it is worth checking with your fund, as this varies considerably by policy.
At Lumière Vision, all costs are provided transparently at your consultation before any decision is made. The fee includes your surgical procedure and post-operative follow-up appointments at Day 1, Week 1, and Month 1.
Standard laser vision correction (LASIK, KLEX, PRK) is not covered by Medicare as it is an elective procedure. ICL surgery may attract a partial Medicare rebate in selected circumstances - specifically where laser surgery has been found clinically unsuitable.
Is laser eye surgery covered by Medicare?
The team at Lumière Vision will advise at consultation whether a rebate applies in your situation after assessing your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
It is surprisingly quite comfortable. Anaesthetic drops numb the eye completely before the procedure begins. Patients typically report that they feel only mild pressure or water at certain points. The post-operative eye may feel gritty and scratchy, particularly with PRK, but this is managed with prescribed drops and pain relief.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Who invented LASIK?
How long does the procedure take?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
The laser treatment itself takes seconds to minutes per eye. The total time at the surgical facility is approximately three hours, including preparation, time for oral sedation to kick in (at least 30 minutes), the procedure itself, and recovery.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Who invented LASIK?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
For most patients with short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism, laser correction significantly reduces or eliminates the need for distance glasses.
Near vision correction for reading (presbyopia) is a separate consideration and may still require reading glasses as the natural lens ages – because whilst we can treat the full prescription at the time of surgery, we can’t stop the ageing process that causes ongoing change to your vision.
No procedure guarantees complete spectacle independence for all tasks and all distances, however in the vast majority of cases we are able to achieve a lifestyle vision design that works for your eyes and your needs.
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Who invented LASIK?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
The corneal reshaping is permanent. Vision typically remains stable for many years - so long as the eye has not aged and there is no cause for distortion such as frequent or vigorous eye rubbing. The most common reason for vision to change after successful surgery is the natural development of age related reading vision loss (presbyopia) or, in a small number of patients, gradual regression of the original correction when the original prescription was quite high.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
Who invented LASIK?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
The vast majority of patients who had LASIK retain excellent functional vision a decade later. The most common change is the onset of presbyopia - the need for reading glasses as the natural lens loses flexibility with age. This is an ageing process, not a failure of the laser correction.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
Who invented LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Many celebrities and public figures have had laser vision correction - it is simply not widely reported as discretion is key, much like confessing to having had plastic surgery. A list of celebrities who have undergone LASIK include: Tayor Swift, Ed Sheeran, the Kardashian sisters, the Jonas Brothers, Brad Pitt, Tiger Woods, Drew Carey, Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford, Elton John, Courney Cox, to name a few.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Who invented LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Dry eye requires detailed and careful evaluation before any laser procedure.
Mild, well-controlled dry eye may not preclude surgery, but significant or symptomatic dry eye is an important consideration.
KLEX and PRK/ASLA are associated with lower rates of post-operative dry eye than LASIK in the short term but long terms rates of dry eye are shown to be equivocal.
ICL carries the lowest dry eye risk of any vision correction procedure, as it does not alter the corneal surface at all.
Pre-operative treatment of dry eye, where present, can improve both safety and outcomes.
Regardless of if you have dry eye pre-operatively or not, it is essential to keep the eyes well lubricated during the early recovery period and for several months after to enhance the healing process.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Who invented LASIK?
Who invented LASIK?
LASIK was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, building on earlier work in excimer laser corneal surgery. The concept of creating a corneal flap for laser ablation was pioneered by Jose Barraquer. The first LASIK procedures were performed by Ioannis Pallikaris in Greece in 1990. The procedure has since been refined through multiple generations of laser technology and surgical technique, with outstanding outcomes for patients worldwide.
Will I still need glasses after laser eye surgery?
How long does laser eye surgery last?
Is the laser eye surgery procedure painful?
How long does the procedure take?
What happens 10 years after LASIK?
Why don't celebrities go for LASIK?
Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Individual outcomes vary. Your surgeon will discuss what is realistic for your eyes and your circumstances at your consultation. All surgery carries risk; the specific risks relevant to your prescription and ocular anatomy will be discussed in detail before you proceed.
Self-referrals accepted for laser vision correction consultations. No GP or Optometry referral required.
Lumière Vision, G1/21 Parraween St, Cremorne NSW 2090 | (02) 9338 8888 | admin@lumierevision.com.au