Laser eye surgery FAQs
Find out more about how laser eye surgery can help you and why you should choose Ultralase.
Will I be suitable for laser eye surgery?
If you know your prescription, then try: Am I Suitable? for a quick check. The only way to know for sure, and to find the best treatment for you, is to come and see us for a FREE eye surgery consultation. We have vision correction solutions for long-sight, short-sight, astigmatism, presbyopia (the age related need for reading glasses) and those with strong prescriptions.
Why do I need an eye surgery consultation?
A FREE eye surgery consultation is a two-way, relaxed chat. Your optometrist will first check and map your eyes, and then they and your Personal Advisor will sit and discuss what treatment options are suitable for your unique eyes. This allows you to find out more about the benefits, affordability and facts before making your decision. Read more about your FREE eye surgery consultation...
Is there a waiting list for consultations?
Eye surgery treatments are increasingly popular. We always do our best to fit you in as soon as possible at a clinic, time and date to suit you. We aim to fit you in within the week. However, sometimes we are busier than usual and you may have to wait that little while longer, unless you are very flexible. You can book your eye surgery consultation now, if you wish.
How long after the consultation can I have treatment?
You can have vision correction treatment from 48 hours after your FREE eye surgery consultation.
When can I get it done?
You cannot have vision correction treatment without a FREE eye surgery consultation. Eye surgery treatments are increasingly popular. We always do our best to fit you in as soon as possible at a clinic, time and date to suit you. We aim to fit you in within the week. However, sometimes we are busier than usual and you may have to wait that little while longer, unless you are very flexible. You can book your eye surgery consultation now, if you wish. You can have vision correction treatment from 48 hours after your FREE eye surgery consultation.
What do I do next to get started?
Book a date to come and see us. It's FREE, and there is no pressure and no obligation. You are in control at all times. Make a date to come and see us now.
Can I talk to someone who has been treated?
Of course you can. Call 0800 9888 237 and we will put you in touch with someone who has had laser eye surgery like yours, and who is enjoying life without contact lenses or glasses. Read comments from thousands of other happy customers.
Where can I go to have it done?
Any of our 30 clinics located throughout the UK. Find your nearest Ultralase laser eye surgery clinic.
How long will I need to take off work?
We really want to understand your unique eyes. So your all-important FREE eye surgery consultation can take up to 2 hours. You can return to work after this, but do not drive yourself as we may have to use drops to dilate your pupils and this can make your vision blurry and slightly more light sensitive.
The surgery, including immediate post-treatment time, will be around 2 hours. You should not return to work that day. Each aftercare appointment can take up to 15 mins. Depending on your treatment, there are 5-6 recommended aftercare appointments so we can watch out for you. You can find out more detail at your FREE consultation.
How soon can I be back on my PC?
This depends on your eye surgery treatment and your own recovery rate, but allow at least 24-48 hours, and it could be up to a week. If you must use your PC, then remember to blink frequently and use the drops. More information can be given at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
Do the services (fire, police, armed forces) recognise laser eye treatment?
The police will generally accept applications from people who have undergone laser eye surgery treatment after the elapse of 6-10 weeks, and provided there are no residual side-effects and other eysesight standards are met. Laser eye surgery treatments are generally acceptable for current employees, but check with your superior beforehand.
Some fire brigades will make allowances for those with laser vision correction. In most cases, you will have to wait 6 months post-treatment before applying. Check with your local brigade. Laser eye surgery treatments are generally acceptable for current employees, but check with your superior beforehand.
Military policy states that while laser eye procedures are not generally prohibited among serving personnel or new recruits, there are rules covering its use. Please check with your superior.
I drive for a living, how long before I can get behind a wheel?
Everybody's eyes are different, though most are suitable for vision correction. This will be confirmed at your aftercare treatment based on the speed of your progress.
Can I fly after laser eye treatment?
We would recommend not flying for 1 week after eye surgery treatment. This is due to the dry atmosphere inside an aeroplane. We will schedule your aftercare appointments for 1 week and 1 month after treatment and we recommend that you attend these appointments.
I am a commercial pilot. Can I have laser eye surgery?
Yes you can, but be aware that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) does not recommend laser eye treatments for pilots if the visual standards required for certification are to be met. However, if you intend to go ahead, then there are stipulations, which it is best to understand by direct application to them.
I have always had good vision, but now I've reached the age where I need reading glasses. Can laser eye surgery help?
Laser eye surgery itself cannot prevent or delay the onset of presbyopia, the age-related need for reading glasses that affects most of us as we reach our mid-forties. However, help is at hand - we offer a treatment called ULTRA-CK, which uses radio waves instead of a laser to help the eye's ability to focus on close-up objects.
Ask for more details at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
I've been refused laser eye surgery in the past owing to the strength of my prescription. Have techniques moved on?
They have, and it is extremely likely that we will be able to help with an advanced treatment called IOL. With our range of treatments, Ultralase is now able to correct the vision of around 90% of people in the UK, including many people found unsuitable in the past. Ask for more information at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
I have a really strong prescription. Can you help?
It is extremely likely that we will be able to help with an advanced treatment called IOL. With our range of treatments, Ultralase is now able to correct the vision of around 90% of people in the UK. Ask for more information at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
Is there an upper or lower age limit for laser eye surgery?
Peoples' prescriptions have usually stabilised by the age of 21 when the eye has completed its normal growth. However, we can treat from the age of 18, provided that the eyesight prescription has been stable for a minimum of 2 years. There is no upper age limit. However, please see the information about cataracts.
Can laser eye surgery cure cataracts?
People often start to develop cataracts when in their 60's and 70's, though this can vary. Laser eye surgery cannot cure this condition. However, if you do suffer from them, we are still able to help you with other treatment options such as Intra-ocular Lenses Please call us on 0800 9888 237.
Is laser eye surgery available on the NHS or covered by private health insurance?
The Department of Health has stated that there are neither plans nor the resources to make laser eye surgery available on the NHS. It is also unlikely that those with private health insurance can reclaim their fees.
Should I bring someone with me?
Yes. At your eye surgery consultation, we may use harmless eye drops to dilate your pupils. This can cause your vision to become blurred for a few hours afterwards, and so we strongly advise against driving yourself home.
How long does an eye surgery consultation take?
Around 2 hours. This is because we take great care to map and understand the unique nature of your eyes on our advanced technology. This is more state-of-the-art than you will be used to in your usual eye tests. We want to give you the best advice. Find out more at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
Can you treat me?
If you know your prescription, then try: Am I Suitable? for a quick check. The only way to know for sure and to find the best treatment for you is to come see us for a FREE eye surgery consultation.
Which eye surgery treatment is best for me?
Come and see us. Our optometrist will check and measure your eyes, then discuss different vision correction treatment options. You can discover the benefits, the prices, and the facts before you go forward. Read more about your FREE eye surgery consultation...
What actually happens?
Read eye surgery treatment choices in detail or find out how it feels from the patient's angle.
Who carries out the laser eye surgery?
Treatment is carried out by a specialist team: the qualified laser eye surgeon, the laser technician and a theatre nurse. Ultralase employs stringent recruitment criteria in selecting it's staff. It is all a part of Ultracare™.
Does it hurt?
Most people say it's an unusual feeling, but not a painful one. Local anesthetic eye drops are used before the procedure so that the eye surgery is completely pain free. You can read the unedited views of our patients here on our forum.
How long does the actual treatment take?
You will be in the treatment room less than half an hour. After treatment you can rest in a special recovery room at the clinic.
What if I am not suitable for laser eye surgery?
We also have a range of non-laser vision correction treatments available.
Should my doctor be informed?
We ask all patients for the details of their doctor so we can keep them informed of the details of your eye examination and any decisions concerning your vision correction treatment. We will contact your GP only if you are happy for us to do so.
Will I need to stay in the eye surgery clinic overnight?
No. You can go home after treatment. However, you will need to return to Ultralase the following day for your next-day check-up.
Should I bring someone with me?
Yes. On the day of eye surgery, your vision will take a while to stabilise and you will not be able to drive yourself home. Please bring someone with you to both your consultation and your treatment appointments to accompany you or drive you home.
How soon after laser eye surgery do I return for a check-up?
Patients return the following day for their post-operative check-up. All patients remain under the care of our specialists for 6-9 months. Each of our treatment types has its own specific aftercare programme. Further information is also available at your FREE eye surgery consultation or by calling 0800 9888 237.
Why do you only offer LASIK laser eye surgery with IntraLase®?
The one part of LASIK laser eye surgery that has caused most concern has been the use of surgical blades to prepare the eye for treatment. For this reason, as well as for reasons of safety and accuracy, we have decided to dispense with blades altogether in favour of the technologically superior Intralase® method. Intralase® uses a laser to prepare the eye for treatment, which means that our entire range of LASIK laser eye procedures is totally blade-free. We are the ONLY national provider in the UK to use Intralase® as standard in LASIK laser eye surgery.
What laser technology do you use?
We use the safest, state-of-the-art technology available today. According to the FDA, our Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix laser used for the actual treatment has been shown to be the safest and the best for delivering real world vision* and patient satisfaction. All LASIK laser eye surgery preparation is now conducted solely with Intralase® lasers for reasons of safety and accuracy.
* 'Real world vision' is defined by optical specialists as the way we view the everyday world around us. In real life, we all face an environment where different contrasts, shades and lighting conditions are constantly at play - as opposed to the artificially high levels of contrast encountered when viewing a standard eye test chart.
How do you know LASIK laser eye surgery with IntraLase® is better than blade-assisted LASIK?
There are three strong pieces of evidence that prove Intralase® is far superior to blade-assisted LASIK when it comes to safety, accuracy and results:
- Our own audited figures (remember, we are the only providers to conduct such an audit) show enhanced results.
- Clinical evidence from papers published worldwide show exactly the same levels of improvement.
- The world's most authoritative bodies, up to and including NASA, agree that Intralase® is the safer and more effective procedure.
How can you make laser eye surgery more affordable for me?
Our price guide has a wide-range of easy-payment terms to help you make your laser eye surgery more affordable, and we're sure that you'll find one to suit your budget.
How much will it cost?
We are committed to making laser eye surgery affordable for all. Check our price guide to find out more details.
Why does Ultralase appear to be more expensive than some other providers?
Our experience at Ultralase is that price is not necessarily the most important factor in patient choice. We don't want to be the cheapest in the marketplace. We want to be the best. Ultralase only employs the very best laser eye surgeons and clinical professionals. We only use the very best technology and provide each and every patient with our unique Ultracare™ aftercare package. Quite simply our price reflects this. The best is usually that little bit more expensive, but it is usually worth it. What you need to remember is that some providers' prices are linked to prescription so costs can escalate dramatically if yours is strong or even just average.
Come and meet our professional staff at a FREE eye surgery consultation - you will know you are in the right place.
How can you make laser eye surgery affordable for me?
Our finance options (subject to status) start at 12 months interest-free and go as far as 5 years. This means that treatment can cost from as little as £5.18 per week.
How much does an eye surgery consultation cost?
We believe it is vital that you know all the facts before you commit to any treatment. That's why at Ultralase our eye surgery consultations are always FREE.
How soon after eye surgery do I return for a check-up?
Patients return the following day for their post-operative check-up. All patients remain under the care of our specialists for 6-9 months. Each of our treatment types has its own specific aftercare programme. Further information is also available at your FREE eye surgery consultation or by calling 0800 9888 237.
Will it damage my eyes or make them worse?
The aim of all Ultralase vision correction is to improve your eyesight. Everything we do is targeted to achieve that, from the equipment we install to the recruitment of highly-skilled specialists, from the procedures we follow to the assessments we make. In a minority of cases, there is need for retreatment. In these rare cases, retreatment is provided completely free as part of our unique Lifetime Care Guarantee. Read the safety and risks section for more detail.
Does the laser eye treatment last?
Recent evidence suggests that stability of outcome is excellent for ten or more years post-treatment. In a medical context, the likelihood of such a long-term quality of outcome is excellent.
Will I get perfect eyesight?
98.6% of all our patients reach driving standard or better.
What if it doesn't work?
After laser eye surgery, the eyes go through a natural recovery period. For 97% of patients, the results reach the target standard of vision - or better. A few people do not quite achieve the desired standard of vision - for these people, a re-treatment can be one option. Remember all your aftercare is backed up by our unique Lifetime Care Guarantee.
What if it goes wrong?
This is highly unlikely and we will do all we can so you achieve the agreed treatment discussed with your surgeon. Remember all your aftercare is backed up by our unique Lifetime Care Guarantee.
What does the Lifetime Care Guarantee cover me for?
We will provide all necessary aftercare, free for life, to help you achieve your best possible outcome from your Ultralase laser eye surgery.
How soon after can I rub my eyes?
Do not rub your eyes at all for 2 weeks and try to minimise rubbing them during the first 4 weeks.
Why should I choose Ultralase?
Ultralase introduced laser eye surgery to the UK. In the past nearly twenty years, we have developed the highest standards of clinical excellence backed by an unrivalled level of patient care. We call this Ultracare™. Remember, you only get Ultracare™ from Ultralase. See more reasons in the answer to the next question.
Why should I trust what you are saying?
The only way you can find out if you trust what we say is to book a FREE eye surgery appointment with one of our laser eye clinics, fire all your questions at us, and weigh up the answers. We do aim to reassure you by giving you the full picture so that you are in control and so you make the decision that is best for you.
But, meanwhile, let the words of others convince you about us. We are:
- The only treatment provider brave and confident enough to have its results verified by an independent body
- The only one to exceed the efficacy provisions of NICE in respect of accuracy of procedure and quality of vision through independently verified data.
- The one successful enough for 98.8% of patients to recommend us to friends and family
- The only one endorsed by Dollond and Aitchison - The Opticians, as well as by 300 other independent opticians around the UK.
- The first one brave enough to host an independent, unedited laser eye forum where you can talk to people who have had laser eye surgery, as well as host a site full of eye surgery testimonials from people who have benefited from Ultralase vision correction treatment.
How genuinely committed are you to patient safety?
Ultralase is 100% committed to patient safety. The latest evidence of this is our move to offering only blade-free IntraLase® based LASIK eye surgery treatments - the only national provider in the UK to do so.
How experienced are your surgeons?
Our laser eye surgeons are hand picked and we believe our selection process is the most rigorous in the business. We are the only provider confident enough to have our results verified by independent consultants. Every member of our team is a fully qualified surgeon who specialises in ophthalmology and laser eye surgery.
How soon can I use eye make up?
You should avoid using make-up for 2 weeks after eye surgery. Some women choose to get their eyelashes tinted before treatment.
Can I wear make-up to my eye surgery consultation?
All our treatments are clinical procedures so the eyes need to be prepared and be free of anything prior to treatment.
Can I have my eyelashes tinted before laser eye surgery?
Yes, you can. Please ensure this is done at least a week prior to your treatment.
How soon after eye surgery can I shower, bathe and wash my hair?
You can do any or all of these straight away. The vital thing is to avoid anything getting into your eye and irritating it so that you want to rub it. Some people find that getting a partner to help is effective. You can also wash your hair over the edge of the bath, or, if you do shower-rinse your hair, try it with your back to the shower. The best shampoo to use is Johnson's Baby Shampoo.
What kind of shampoo should I be using?
The most important thing about showering and shampooing is to avoid getting anything in the eyes to cause you to rub them. The best shampoo we have found so far is Johnson's Baby Shampoo as, even if it gets in your eyes, you will not feel the urge to rub them. Your eyes should be fine to use your normal brand after 2 weeks.
How soon can I get back to exercise?
It obviously depends on the intensity of the exercise but, for general gym or training demands, we recommend up to 2 weeks. Discuss this with your specialist at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
I play rugby - what's the best treatment?
Sir Clive Woodward and Shaun Wane have both been treated by Ultralase. Tell the optometrist about your sports and hobbies at your FREE eye surgery consultation.
How soon after laser eye surgery can I go swimming?
You should avoid swimming for 4 weeks after treatment because of the risk of infection.
Can I still go scuba diving and how soon?
Yes you can. We recommend waiting 2 months after your eye surgery before you make your next dive.
How soon after eye surgery can I shower, bathe and wash my hair?
You can do any or all of these straight away. The vital thing is to avoid anything getting into your eye and irritating it so that you want to rub it. Some people find that getting a partner to help is effective. You can also wash your hair over the edge of the bath, or, if you do shower-rinse your hair, try it with your back to the shower. The best shampoo to use is Johnson's Baby Shampoo.
What kind of shampoo should I be using?
The most important thing about showering and shampooing is to avoid getting anything in the eyes that will cause you to rub them. The best shampoo we have found so far is Johnson's Baby Shampoo as, even if it gets in your eyes, you will not feel the urge to rub them. Your eyes should be fine to use your normal brand after 2 weeks.


