Laser Vision

Laser Vision: refractive and lens eye surgery in the United Kingdom

Laser Vision is a British eye surgery clinic made up of consultant ophthalmic surgeons with specific training in corneal and refractive surgery. Its work focuses on correcting refractive errors — short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism — and on treating cataracts and other eye conditions. The clinic states that it has performed more than 100,000 procedures and that its specialists have more than 140 years of combined experience.

The care model is based on consultant surgeons who support the patient from the initial consultation through to discharge, in both NHS and private hospital facilities. The clinic presents itself as an independent provider and stresses that it does not put pressure on patients to go ahead with the procedure.

Laser and lens surgery treatments

The clinic's range covers various refractive and lens surgery techniques:

• Laser eye surgery: LASIK, LASEK/TransPRK and lenticule surgery (SMILE/CLEAR), as well as PTK.
• Lens surgery: laser cataract surgery, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), implantable contact lens (ICL), piggyback/secondary lens, YAG laser capsulotomy, refractive lens exchange (RLE) and Sulcoflex DUET.

The clinic states that LASIK is the most popular form of laser eye surgery and that lens replacement surgery is another route to restoring vision.

Corneal, retina, macula and glaucoma surgery

As well as refractive surgery, Laser Vision treats conditions of the cornea, retina, macula and glaucoma, among other areas:

• Cornea: corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), intrastromal rings (KeraRings), CAIRS, advanced topography-guided surface ablation, pterygium surgery and corneal transplants (DMEK, DSAEK, SALK, DALK and PK), some assisted by femtosecond laser.
• Retina: vitrectomy and YAG vitreolysis.
• Macula: macular hole and vitreomacular traction surgery, anti-VEGF and steroidal intravitreal injections, Scharioth macula lens for AMD and the Valeda light delivery system (LDS), presented as the first approved treatment for dry macular degeneration.
• Glaucoma: YAG iridotomy and SLT laser treatments, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with Hydrus, iStent, OMNI and Preserflo, trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt implants.
• Oculoplastic surgery: blepharoplasty and eyelid cyst removal.

Dry eye and other conditions treated

The clinic has a dedicated dry eye management area, with Optilight IPL treatment, OptiLIFT and punctal plugs. Among the conditions it addresses are blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and Sjögren's syndrome. It also treats refractive errors such as presbyopia, complex cataracts and post-operative complications, as well as corneal conditions (Fuchs' dystrophy, infections, keratoconus, pterygium and recurrent erosion syndrome), retinal conditions (epiretinal membrane, floaters, retinal detachment and retinal tears) and macular conditions (central serous retinopathy, cystoid macular oedema, dry and wet macular degeneration, myopic maculopathy and vitreomacular traction). Glaucoma conditions include open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma, ocular hypertension and secondary glaucoma.

Care process and follow-up

The patient journey begins with an initial consultation involving a thorough eye assessment so that the consultant surgeon can recommend the most appropriate treatment. The clinic stresses that there is no pressure to continue. Treatment is personalised according to the patient's needs and lifestyle and is carried out in hospital clinics. Follow-up care includes a tailored care plan, a dedicated helpline and review appointments to check the results.

Results and recognition

According to figures published by the clinic itself: more than 100,000 procedures performed, more than 140 years of combined experience and more than 600 five-star reviews on Trustpilot. In LASIK surgery it states that 99% of patients achieved 20/20 vision or better, that 100% achieved vision equal to or better than the driving standard and that there were no significant complications during or after treatment. In cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange (RLE) it states that 100% of patients achieved readable vision. The clinic also notes that it has received several independent awards, including Most Trusted Laser Eye Surgery Practice in South East England at the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards.

Consultations and insurance cover

Laser Vision operates several consultation locations in the United Kingdom: Portsmouth (Prema), Portsmouth (Spire), Guildford, Woking, Jersey, Sheffield and Manchester. The Prema clinic in Portsmouth is recognised by several British health insurers, according to the organisation itself.