Laser eye surgery can help to treat short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and diabetic retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the eye).
However, laser eye surgery cannot treat certain conditions, such as age-related presbyopia (where the eye's ability to focus declines due to increasing age) and the need for reading glasses from middle-age. Following laser eye surgery, one in three people will still need glasses for some tasks, such as driving at night.
Laser eye surgery usually involves cutting a flap in the cornea and then reshaping it using a laser, before replacing the flap. The procedure is most successful in people with myopia (short-sightedness). Some people have a problem with dry eyes in the months after surgery.
Laser surgery for diabetic retinopathy and 'wet' macular degeneration (also known as macular oedema) involves a different technique. The laser is targeted at blood vessels on the outer part of the retina. These are two conditions that can cause changes to the structure of the eye.
Laser eye surgery should be carried out by an ophthalmologist specialising in corneal surgery. Most hospitals and private clinics will require you to be over the age of 21, in good health, and have had a prescription within the safe range for surgery for at least 12 months.
Laser eye surgery for short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism is not considered an essential medical treatment and are therefore rarely available free through the NHS. Some NHS trusts do operate laser eye surgery clinics, but these will typically charge a fee for their services.
Laser surgery for diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema are available on the NHS. This is because without treatment, the conditions can cause significant loss of vision, or possible blindness.
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