Laser eye surgery

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a highly effective way of treating vision problems called ‘refractive errors’. It’s used to correct short‑sightedness (myopia), long‑sightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism (caused by an irregularly shaped eye). The procedure was first developed in the 1980s, and has helped millions of people around the world experience much clearer vision. For some refractive errors, it provides an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. This procedure is not covered by Te Whatu Ora ‑ Health New Zealand, meaning you would usually need to pay for it yourself. Laser surgery will not correct presbyopia, so you will still need near vision correction with glasses/contacts from around 40‑45 years old. 

Why change the cornea's shape?

For you to be able to see an object, light must reflect off it and travel through your cornea. It then reaches the retina at the back of your eye, that converts the light into electrical signals. These signals are sent to your brain, which turns them into the images you see. 
 
If you have perfect vision, the cornea focuses light straight onto the retina. But if the cornea is too flat, too pointed, or irregular in shape, it changes how light hits the retina. This can lead to issues like short‑sightedness or long‑sightedness. Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea to correct these problems. 
 
Learn more about astigmatism.

Types of laser eye surgery in New Zealand

There are several kinds of laser eye surgery available in New Zealand. They all use lasers, but they reshape the cornea in slightly different ways. The surgeon at the clinic will explain which type is most suited to your particular sight problems.

LASIK

Most people get LASIK eye surgery in NZ. The surgeon makes a flap on the surface of your cornea with a laser, then lifts it. A second laser reshapes the tissue below. The flap is then smoothed down.

Surface laser treatments (PRK and TransPRK)

These treatments use a single laser to directly reshape the top layer of the cornea. They're just as effective as LASIK, but can make the outer surface of the eye feel sore during recovery.

Lenticule extraction (SMILE, CLEAR, SmartSight, SILK)

This is the most recent advance in laser eye surgery. Lasers are used to slice into the side of the cornea, then a disk‑shaped piece of cornea called a lenticule is removed to correct your vision.

LASEK eye surgery

Alcohol is used to remove the outermost layer of the cornea, then a laser reshapes the cornea below. The outer layer ('epithelium') then needs to grow back after.

Who is laser eye surgery suitable for?

If you have refractive errors like short‑sightedness, long‑sightedness or astigmatism, laser eye surgery could be a good solution for you. However, it's not the right option for everyone. 
 
If laser eye surgery isn't suitable for you or it costs too much, there are other ways of improving refractive errors. These include contact lenses and glasses.

Who can't have laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery isn’t suitable for everyone. If you’re unsure whether it’s right for you, speak to an optometrist at your local Specsavers store. They can offer impartial advice based on your eye health. Laser eye surgery probably won't be right for you if:

Your vision is unstable

Lots of things can change your vision, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or getting older. Your vision needs to be stable for at least two years before having eye laser surgery. 

Health conditions and medications

Certain health conditions might mean you can't have laser eye surgery. This includes immune disorders and HIV. Some medication (such as for acne) might also mean you can't get eye laser surgery.

You have other eye health conditions

There are a number of eye conditions that might prevent you from having laser eye surgery. These include an inflamed cornea, uveitis, eye herpes, cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconus, and thin corneas, among others.

Advantages and disadvantages of laser eye surgery

Like all kinds of surgery, laser eye surgery comes with pros and cons.

Finding a trustworthy laser eye clinic

New Zealand's laser eye surgery clinics are excellent and surgeons are highly regulated. However, there have been some rare cases of underqualified surgeons doing the procedure. 
 
Once you've found a clinic, check the surgeon is listed on the Medical Council of New Zealand's website. Ask to see their laser eye surgery certificates, insurance papers, and recent customer testimonials.

Initial consultation

The surgeon will do a thorough eye examination and check your medical history. They'll also use a special scanner to create a detailed ‘map’ of your cornea’s surface. This helps work out exactly which parts need reshaping. 
 
During this consultation, the surgeon should also explain how to prepare for the procedure. It’s a good opportunity to ask about anything and everything you want to know ‑ remember there are no ‘stupid’ questions. At this stage, you should also be given a clear breakdown of all the costs and fees, including aftercare.

During the surgery

In New Zealand, most people get LASIK eye surgery, although other methods could also be used. Whichever type you get, the process is quite similar. You’ll lie back in a reclining chair, and anaesthetic eye drops will be used to numb your eyes. A clip will hold your eyelids open, and a suction ring may be used to stop your eye from moving. You’ll be asked to focus on a light above you. If you're uncomfortable or really need to blink, you can let the surgeon know. If you're feeling very anxious and stressed, they might give you medication to help relax. 
 
The entire procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes. And the lasers are often used for as little as 60 seconds per eye. The surgeon will use a software‑guided eye laser to remove and reshape parts of the cornea. You may notice a burning smell, similar to singed hair.