What does LASIK mean?
LASIK is the most commonly used eye laser method worldwide. The abbreviation stands for laser in situ keratomileusis. With extensive long-term experience and excellent treatment results, LASIK is the most popular correction procedure for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
A LASIK treatment only takes about 10 minutes per eye (the use of the laser only takes a few seconds) and is carried out on an outpatient basis at one of the CARE Vision locations. Shortly after the LASIK treatment, most of our patients can see well and can go about their usual everyday life again after a day or two – of course without glasses and contact lenses.
The treatment – This is how the LASIK surgery works
Anesthesia
First, the eyes are prepared for the LASIK operation with numbing drops. Most patients only feel a slight pressure during the treatment.
Preparation
The ophthalmologist prepares a small lamella in the top layer of the cornea. This so-called flap is folded to the side and the actual laser treatment can begin.
Laser treatment
Now the Excimer laser starts the customized correction of the ametropia by modeling the cornea. This happens in a few seconds.
Healing
After the treatment, the flap is folded back into its original position as the body’s own plaster. It will grow back in no time.
Advantages of the LASIK method
Years of experience
LASIK ist die seit 1991 weltweit am häufigsten durchgeführte LASIK has been the most commonly performed treatment method worldwide since 1991 and has excellent long-term experience.
Outstanding treatment results
More than 17 million people have said goodbye to glasses and contact lenses thanks to LASIK treatment.
Rapid vision recovery
The LASIK method impresses in comparison to other treatment techniques due to the very rapid restoration of vision. Most patients can already see well when leaving the CARE Vision eye center – without glasses or contact lenses.
Tailored treatment
Each eye laser correction using the LASIK method is precisely tailored to the patient’s individual ametropia. This enables the optimal restoration of vision.
Painless, non-invasive procedure
Most of our patients only feel a slight feeling of pressure and are surprised at how quickly the treatment is over.
Post-treatment possible
If there is still a small ametropia after the eye laser surgery, LASIK offers the possibility of follow-up treatment.
LASIK treatment process
The first milestone on your way to life without glasses is the detailed preliminary medical examination. During this we take a close look at your eyes and your individual ametropia and determine the most suitable treatment method for you.
Step 1. Initial information and aptitude test for LASIK
During a non-binding information session, you will learn how LASIK and other treatment methods make it possible to say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses. You have the choice between a free video consultation from the comfort of your own home or a personal appointment at one of our locations with one of our optometrists. On request, we can carry out an initial suitability test of your eyes for laser correction on site.
Step 2. Preliminary medical examination
The comprehensive preliminary medical examination is crucial for choosing the most suitable treatment method for you. We measure every millimeter of your eyes precisely and thus lay the foundation for optimal treatment results.
At this appointment, you have the opportunity to ask your treating doctor questions.
Tip: You can save time by combining both steps
If you wish, you can combine both dates. After an initial aptitude test and a detailed consultation, we immediately carry out the preliminary medical examination. Many patients choose this option in order to save time for travel and appointments. Please plan about 2.5 hours for the entire examination.
Costs and financing of a
LASIK treatment
After LASIK treatment, many patients discover the world with their own eyes – without constantly depending on expensive visual aids. One-off costs for the treatment and tailor-made financing options enable you to start a new life feeling without any worries.
1The exact billing is done according to the German Gebührenordnung für Ärzte (GOÄ).
How safe is LASIK eye laser treatment?
LASIK surgery is considered one of the safest treatments in modern medicine. Over 30 million treatments have been performed since 1990 due to their high level of safety and excellent results. Next to PRK/LASEK, LASIK is the most researched of all correction methods.
High quality technology
The optimal restoration of the eyesight of our patients has top priority at CARE Vision. From the first examination to the end of the treatment, we only use comprehensively proven and current technologies (link to technology page) in all CARE Vision eye centers for maximum safety and the best possible treatment results.
Highlight:
LASIK weekends
For patients who are busy during the week, we regularly offer our popular LASIK weekends. The comprehensive medical preliminary examination of your eyes takes place on Fridays. The eye laser treatment takes place on Saturday and the first follow-up examination on Sunday. The very next day on Monday, most of our patients can already go about their everyday lives again – without disturbing visual aids!
Frequently asked questions about LASIK (FAQ)
LASIK surgery is characterized by the particularly rapid restoration of vision after the treatment. Many patients are immediately impressed by their good vision without glasses immediately after the LASIK operation. Most patients are fully operational again the next day and can go about their normal everyday life without visual aids. Full vision recovery takes about two to three months. The exact duration varies from person to person and depends in particular on the severity of the visual defect being treated.
LASIK treatment can correct short-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism. In the case of myopia, treatment is usually possible up to -10 diopters; with farsightedness up to approx. 4 diopters.
You can have your eyes lasered if you wear glasses or contact lenses and find these visual aids annoying. You should also be at least 18 years old and have stable eyesight for more than 12 months. You must not suffer from any eye disease and should be in good health.
Yes, both eyes are lasered during one treatment. Because after LASIK, our patients can usually see clearly again immediately or a few hours after the treatment. Your eyes may be slightly irritated and sensitive to light on the day of treatment; the day after LASIK you can usually go back to your usual activities and work.
The treatment only takes about 10 minutes per eye and the laser itself only takes a few seconds. Anesthetic eye drops are administered before the treatment. As soon as the anesthesia sets in, a small cover, the so-called flap, is prepared on the surface of the cornea and folded up. Then the actual laser treatment begins. The doctor uses the laser to model the surface of the cornea in such a way that the ametropia can be compensated for. The tiny corneal flap is returned to its original position and the treatment is complete.
The treatment is painless as you will be given numbing eye drops. A few patients only feel a slight pressure or foreign body sensation. Anesthesia is not necessary. Before the treatment, we offer you a sedative tablet. We recommend patients to take this, especially if they are nervous.
After LASIK, our patients can usually see clearly again immediately or a few hours after the procedure. You should rest on the day of the treatment, as your eyes can be easily irritated and sensitive to light. You can usually go back to your usual activities and work the day after the treatment. You should avoid strenuous sport, swimming and eye make-up for a week so that your eyes can regenerate as best as possible.
Nach der Behandlung können vorübAfter the treatment, you may experience a temporary sensation of dryness or a foreign body sensation (similar to a grain of sand in the eye), as well as burning or itching. We will give you artificial tears and a drop schedule that you should follow to prevent the symptoms. The feeling of dryness should disappear after a few weeks at the latest.
The cost of LASIK is around €1.200 per eye (billing according to GOÄ after the treatment has been completed). You also have the option of financing the treatment with up to 12 monthly installments (0% financing).