2020 has been quite the year. And in more ways than one, our eyesight has never been more important to us. Afterall, we need it now to get us through long days indoors, inevitable extra time in front of screens and long box sets and reading lists that have become one of the few things that remind us what normal life actually looks like!

Of course when we had a little less time on our hands, it was hard to make sure we looked after everything. Family, work and hectic schedules have meant that it hasn’t always been easy for us to look into little self care things like going to the Dentist, bringing back books to the library or indeed thinking about something like looking after our eyes like Laser Eye Surgery, that is until now. Because now that we have the time, there really is no better time than the present to make the plans you’ve always wanted to and that will enhance our lives.

So, if Laser Eye Surgery is something you’d like to learn a little bit more about, then read on. We’ve pulled together all you’ll ever need to know about the life changing procedure, ahead of making your decision.

What is Laser Eye Surgery
Laser Eye Surgery is a way of permanently correcting your vision. The procedure uses a special type of laser to gently reshape the surface of the eye. In order to correct certain vision problems such as, nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Over 30 million people worldwide have chosen to undergo this quick, painless procedure to achieve 20/20 vision. Laser Eye Surgery gives you the opportunity to live a life free from the inconvenience and cost of having to wear glasses and contact lenses.

How will I know if I am suitable for the procedure?
Straight up, not everyone is suitable for Laser Eye Surgery. Generally there are a number of factors that may make you unsuitable for laser vision correction - include prescriptions stronger than -10 or +5, or having a squint or a lazy eye. For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is necessary to wait for 6 months postpartum before starting your treatment.

If you’re still not sure if you would be a suitable candidate for the procedure then the best thing to do to determine your suitability is to go to a provider that offers a free laser eye surgery consultation.

Optilase are Ireland’s premier provider of Laser Eye Surgery. They told us what you can expect at one of their free Laser Eye consultations, ‘At the free consultation one of our Laser Optometrists will carry out a series of eye examinations to determine your suitability. The Laser Optometrist will then explain in detail the processes involved and answer any questions you may have. The whole assessment takes approximately one hour to complete. At the end of the consultation a pre-operative consultation is then arranged with your Surgeon.

What to expect on your Laser Eye Surgery journey
To begin with, the one to one consultation with your Laser Optometrist before your treatment is crucial. During this meeting they will carry out a series of eye examinations to determine your suitability before you embark any further on your journey. Following on from this the Optometrist will then explain in detail the processes involved and answer any questions you may have. The whole assessment should take approximately one hour to complete. A pre-operative consultation should then be arranged with your surgeon who gives final approval for surgery.

After this, your Surgeon will talk you through the technical aspects of your laser eye surgery and resolve any additional questions or queries. Then all that’s left to do is book in for your surgery. A real life changing moment awaits you, it will be something you will never regret.

The Day of your Surgery
When your day for surgery comes, BE EXCITED! Things are about to get a lot clearer, and just imagine - no more contacts, glasses or hefty optician bills!

If you choose to go to Optilase for your surgery, Phillip McGlade Optilase’s CEO says you’re in very safe hands, ‘From the first moment you step through our door you’ll be safe hands and capable care of the team - Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, nurses, laser technicians and other professional support staff members. Your Laser Eye treatment takes, on average, seven minutes per eye. It’s a very short procedure with a lasting, life-changing outcome. Following the operation, you can relax while the Optilase team explains everything about the aftercare programme. They’ll give you a post-operative information pack containing eye drops and a schedule of when to take them. This will also include a 24 hour patient helpline number should you need any more information.’

Can both eyes be treated on the same day?
The good news is that, yes because of advancements in Laser Eye Surgery, it is possible and perfectly safe to treat both eyes on the same day. In total, it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to have both eyes treated. If for any reason you would prefer to have your eyes treated separately, we can arrange this for you at no extra charge.

Is the treatment permanent?
Yes, long term follow up studies indicate that after the healing process is complete, eyesight remains stable. Some patients may develop the need for reading glasses as they age but this happens to most adults regardless of whether they get laser vision correction.

Is it painful and what about complications?
Rest assured that the process itself is painless. During it, your eye is numbed using anaesthetic drops and you are offered diazepam to reduce anxiety and relax any muscle tension. Depending on your treatment type, there may be some discomfort in the days after your treatment but this is generally temporary, and nothing to worry about.

There are some risks involved in the procedure, your Optometrist will make you aware of these risks during your initial free assessment as well as at your pre-operative consultation. The most common side effects of the treatment include dry-eye, night-time glare, halo effect and regression.

Is the treatment safe?
Yes. At Optilase, Ireland’s leading Laser Eye Surgery provider, your safety is their No. 1 priority. They use the most advanced and safest laser technology and all of their Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons, Laser Optometrists, Laser Technicians and surgery nurses are highly experienced and fully accredited.

Optilase is following all of the health and safety regulations that have been put in place since the COVID pandemic, says Phillip, ‘Our teams wear full PPE equipment and our treatment areas fully comply with social distancing regulations. These changes keep Optilase customers and the team safe at this important time, and we are happy to comply within the guidelines set out.’ Peace of mind and a non stressful experience are high on the Optilase customer experience agenda it seems, and that’s a particularly good omen for anyone looking to have the procedure at their business.

Learn more at Ireland’s No.1 Eye Clinic today
Optilase are a proud, family-owned Irish business and are privileged to have some of the world’s leading Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons, Laser Optometrists and Medical Staff working on the Optilase team, all of whom are focused on providing the very best laser eye treatment available, using the latest and most sophisticated technology.

And as the leading Laser Eye Surgery providers in Ireland, they will have all of the answers to the questions you may have ( and all in plain English we promise!) To date Optilase has performed over 50,000 eye surgeries since its inception in the market - making it a household name across Ireland that can be trusted. The company has Clinics all over Ireland, so no matter where you are across the country, you will have access to a premium Laser Eye Surgery experience. Check out their YouTube channel today for more on this procedure and other services that you may be interested in.

For more information on Optilase and the services they offer call +353 1 223 8821 now - you’ll never regret it and you’ll soon see the difference!