LASIK eye surgery is one of several refractive surgical techniques, all with the aim of surgically adjusting the eye’s focusing power to reduce a patient’s dependency on optical aids such as glasses and contact lenses. As a laser vision correction method, LASIK in Melbourne has been gaining in popularity over the last couple of decades, offering the freedom of clear unaided vision to millions of Australians.
The Process of LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery refers to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, and is a two-step process. Our Armadale Eye Clinic team, through Eye Laser Specialists, employ the use of high-precision laser technologies for both steps. Other refractive ophthalmology clinics offering LASIK surgery in Melbourne may use a manual bladed instrument for the first stage, which typically provides lower accuracy and reliability than a computer-guided laser.
Your first appointment with our ophthalmology clinical team will involve a comprehensive eye and vision exam. This is to ensure your suitability for the LASIK eye surgery procedure, to take biometric measurements that will guide the lasers, and to discuss risks and costs with you. At Armadale Eye Clinic our team is committed to ensuring you feel comfortable and well-informed throughout all stages of your refractive surgery process. Patients who are not suitable for LASIK eye surgery for any reason will be counselled towards a more appropriate refractive surgery technique for your eyes, such as PRK or SMILE®.
LASIK in Melbourne practices does not involve general anaesthesia; however, a light sedative can be offered to particularly anxious or restless patients. The eye is numbed with topical eye drops for comfort and you will be asked to fixate on a target light to hold the eye steady.
The first step employs the use of a femtosecond laser to create a thin hinged flap of tissue from the surface of the cornea. This corneal flap is then gently moved to the side to allow the next laser, an excimer laser, to access the inner corneal layers for a process known as photoablation. The excimer laser is computer-guided to remove select areas of corneal tissue, reshaping this surface of the eye such that light is directed to focus to a sharp point on the retina. Once photoablation is complete, the corneal flap is replaced and allowed to self-seal. You will be given post-operative eye drop medications and care instructions.
After undergoing LASIK eye surgery, Melbourne residents and those from nearby suburbs will have several review appointments with our clinical team to ensure the eye is healing as it should. For clients travelling from rural communities, you may wish to be co-managed by your local optometrist who will remain in close contact with the ophthalmologists at Armadale Eye Clinic.
Eligibility for LASIK Eye Surgery
Melbourne residents and those coming from further afield are welcome to book an initial consultation with our highly trained clinicians to discuss their suitability for LASIK surgery. As a general rule of thumb, patients within the following prescription ranges have a high likelihood of being suitable for this technique:
- Myopia between -1.00 and -10.00D
- Hyperopia up to +4.00D
- Astigmatism up to -4.00D
However, as each eye is unique, it is still important to undergo a comprehensive eye exam to ascertain your suitability. Patients with thin corneas or other co-existing eye conditions such as cataracts may be recommended for a more appropriate technique, such as PRK or cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation.
How Much Does LASIK Surgery in Melbourne Cost?
LASIK surgery in Melbourne will vary in cost across different clinics. Final costs may depend on factors such as the success rate of your surgeon, and the quality and standard of the equipment used. At Armadale Eye Clinic we pride ourselves on providing highly trained refractive eye doctors with excellent success rates and cutting-edge technology, such as the VisuMax femtosecond laser by Zeiss technologies.
Clients interested in clear vision without the need for glasses and contact lenses are welcome to call us to organise your initial consultation. Book your appointment by phone or online.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.