What is LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK is a laser eye surgery treatment that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors so you can see more clearly without glasses or contact lenses. It is commonly used to treat short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism.

Am I suitable for LASIK?

Suitability depends on factors such as your prescription, corneal thickness and eye health, as well as whether your vision has been stable. The best way to confirm if LASIK is right for you is to book a consultation and diagnostic assessment at https://www.eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk/treatments/lasik.

How long does LASIK take and is it painful?

The laser portion of LASIK typically takes only minutes per eye and the full appointment is usually short. Anaesthetic eye drops are used to numb the surface of the eye; most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some mild irritation or watering can occur afterwards while the eyes settle.

How quickly will I see results after LASIK?

Many people notice a significant improvement in vision within 24 hours, with vision continuing to stabilise as the eyes heal. Your surgeon will advise on expected recovery times and aftercare at your consultation.

What is the recovery time after LASIK and when can I return to work?

Most patients can return to normal daily activities quickly, often within a couple of days, depending on their job and how their eyes feel. You will be advised to avoid rubbing your eyes and to follow the recommended eye drop and aftercare routine.

What are the risks and side effects of LASIK?

As with any surgical procedure, LASIK carries potential risks and side effects. Common temporary effects can include dry eyes, glare or halos (especially at night), and fluctuating vision during healing. Your surgeon will discuss benefits, risks and alternatives during your pre-operative assessment so you can make an informed decision.

How long do LASIK results last?

LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea, so the correction is intended to be long-lasting. However, natural changes in the eye can still occur over time (including age-related presbyopia), which may affect near vision later in life.

Can LASIK treat astigmatism?

Yes, LASIK can correct many cases of astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. Whether it is suitable for your prescription and corneal measurements is confirmed during an assessment.

What happens at a LASIK consultation?

A LASIK consultation typically includes a detailed eye examination and scans to measure your cornea and prescription, checks of your general eye health, and a discussion about your goals and lifestyle. You will be advised whether LASIK is suitable, what results you can realistically expect, and what to do before and after treatment.

How do I book a LASIK consultation?

You can start by visiting https://www.eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk/treatments/lasik to book an assessment or request a consultation. The clinic team will guide you through the next steps and available appointment options.

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery in the UK

Considering LASIK to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses? Book a private consultation at EyeSurgeryClinic.co.uk to discuss suitability, expected outcomes, and a clear treatment plan tailored to your eyes.

UK-based private consultations with experienced ophthalmic specialists
Personalised suitability assessment, including corneal measurements and prescription review
Transparent guidance on risks, recovery, and alternatives (PRK/LASEK, lens-based options)
Convenient appointment times and straightforward next steps

Check suitability & request an appointment View LASIK costs & options

Information on this page is for UK patients and does not replace a clinical consultation. Results vary; suitability depends on prescription, corneal health, and lifestyle.

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct common refractive errors. In the UK, it is typically used to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses for people with:

Short-sightedness (myopia)
Long-sightedness (hyperopia)
Astigmatism

LASIK works by creating a thin corneal flap, applying an excimer laser to reshape the underlying tissue, then repositioning the flap. The goal is to improve how light focuses onto the retina, resulting in clearer vision.

Not everyone is suitable for LASIK. During your consultation, we assess prescription stability, corneal thickness, tear film (dry eye risk), and overall ocular health to recommend the safest option.

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Prefer to explore other procedures? You can also ask about cataract surgery or oculoplastics during the same consultation.

Why patients choose LASIK

People considering LASIK in the UK are usually balancing convenience, safety, and long-term value. Your consultation is where we translate those goals into a realistic recommendation based on your eye measurements.

Reduced dependence on lenses

Many patients aim to simplify day-to-day life—driving, work, sport, holidays—without constantly managing glasses or contact lenses.

Quick visual recovery (often)

LASIK commonly offers faster comfort and functional vision compared with surface laser options, though individual recovery varies.

Tailored treatment planning

A thorough pre-op assessment allows us to plan around corneal shape, tear film, pupil size and lifestyle demands.

Clear discussion of risks

We explain potential side effects (such as dryness or glare) and the steps we take to reduce risk through screening and aftercare.

Options if LASIK isn’t right

If LASIK isn’t suitable, alternatives may include PRK/LASEK or lens-based procedures. We’ll guide you to the safest route.

Long-term value

Many patients weigh LASIK against the ongoing cost and inconvenience of contact lenses, solutions, replacements and check-ups.

What to expect: consultation to aftercare

From your first assessment through to aftercare, our aim is clarity: what LASIK can reasonably achieve for your eyes, what the risks are, and what your recovery may look like.

Book a suitability consultation
We review your medical and eye history, current prescription, and your goals (for example: screen work, sport, night driving).
Detailed eye measurements
This typically includes corneal thickness, corneal topography (shape), tear film assessment, pupil size, and refraction testing.
Recommendation & informed consent
If suitable, we explain likely outcomes, alternatives, and potential complications in plain English. If not suitable, we’ll discuss safer options.
Treatment day
LASIK is usually performed as a day procedure. You’ll need someone to accompany you home, and you should plan to rest afterwards.
Aftercare & follow-up
You’ll be given aftercare instructions and eye drops. Follow-up appointments help ensure your eyes are healing as expected.

How long does LASIK take?

Laser treatment time is typically short, but allow time for preparation and post-procedure checks. We’ll advise you on timings during booking.

Will I feel pain?

Anaesthetic drops are used. Some patients report pressure during treatment and mild irritation afterwards. We’ll talk you through comfort measures and what’s normal.

Am I eligible for LASIK?

Eligibility is individual. In general, we look for a stable prescription, healthy corneas, and no untreated eye disease. Below is a helpful guide to common suitability factors discussed in UK consultations.

Assessment area	What we check	Why it matters
Prescription stability	Changes in glasses/contact lens prescription over time	Improves predictability of outcomes
Corneal thickness & shape	Topography, thickness mapping, irregularity screening	Supports safety and reduces ectasia risk
Dry eye risk	Tear film quality, lid margins, symptoms	Dryness can affect comfort and vision quality during recovery
General eye health	Corneal disease, glaucoma risk, retinal health	Ensures laser vision correction is appropriate and safe
Age & reading vision	Near vision needs and presbyopia discussion	Many people still need reading help with age; we plan accordingly

If you wear contact lenses, you may need to stop wearing them for a period before measurements (timing varies by lens type). We’ll advise you when booking.

Book a LASIK suitability consultation

LASIK recovery: practical UK guidance

Recovery experiences vary. We’ll give you personalised advice, but the guidance below reflects what many UK patients ask about when planning time off work, driving, and exercise.

First 24–48 hours

Arrange a lift home and rest.
Expect temporary blur, watering or gritty sensation.
Use prescribed drops exactly as directed.
Avoid rubbing your eyes.

First week

Many people return to desk-based work within a few days.
Night-time glare/haloes can occur while healing.
Take extra screen breaks; use lubricating drops if advised.
Avoid swimming/hot tubs until cleared at follow-up.

Driving: only drive when you can see clearly and meet legal standards. Your clinician will advise based on your post-op checks.

LASIK cost in the UK: what influences pricing?

LASIK pricing in the UK varies by prescription complexity, technology used, and what’s included (assessment, aftercare, enhancements where appropriate). During your consultation, we’ll outline the full costs clearly so you can decide with confidence.

Your eyes & prescription

Higher prescriptions and astigmatism may need more complex planning. Corneal thickness and shape can affect recommended approach.

Technology & method

Different laser platforms and treatment profiles can influence fees. We explain what’s appropriate for your measurements.

Aftercare included

Ask what follow-ups are included and how post-op concerns are handled. Good aftercare is part of good outcomes.

If your main goal is long-term clarity and convenience, we’ll help you compare LASIK with alternatives (such as PRK/LASEK or lens-based options) based on safety and likely outcomes—not just price.

Get a personalised quote after assessment Read LASIK FAQs

LASIK FAQs (UK)

Is LASIK permanent?

LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea. However, eyes can still change with age. For example, many people develop presbyopia (reading vision changes) in their 40s+.

Can I have LASIK if I have dry eyes?

It depends on severity and cause. Mild dryness can often be managed. Significant dry eye may make LASIK less suitable; alternatives may be safer.

Will I still need glasses after LASIK?

Many people reduce their dependence on glasses, but you may still need them for reading with age, or for specific tasks such as prolonged night driving.

What are the risks?

All surgery carries risk. Potential issues include dry eye symptoms, glare/haloes, under/over-correction, infection, inflammation, and (rarely) corneal ectasia. Screening is designed to reduce risk.

How do I choose between LASIK and PRK/LASEK?

This often comes down to corneal thickness/shape, occupation or hobbies, and dry eye considerations. We explain the pros and cons based on your scan results.

Is LASIK available on the NHS?

In the UK, LASIK is usually a private procedure. NHS treatment is generally reserved for clinical need rather than convenience-based refractive correction.

If you have a specific concern, use the appointment form and tell us what you’re hoping to achieve.

Patient feedback & trust indicators

Choosing laser eye surgery is a considered decision. We encourage patients to ask direct questions about suitability, risks, and aftercare before proceeding.

“Clear explanations, no pressure”

“I felt the consultation was thorough and realistic about outcomes. I understood the pros and cons before making a decision.”

— Private patient, UK

“Smooth aftercare and follow-up”

“After surgery I knew exactly what to do and when to come back. Any questions were answered quickly.”

— Private patient, UK

“Helpful alternatives discussion”

“LASIK wasn’t right for me, but I was given a clear alternative plan. I appreciated the focus on safety.”

— Private patient, UK

Bring to your consultation: your current glasses/contact lens prescription (if available) and a list of any eye drops or medications you use.

Ready to find out if LASIK is right for you?

Start with a suitability assessment. We’ll review your eyes carefully and give you a clear, UK-based treatment recommendation—LASIK or the safest alternative.

Request an appointment Revisit LASIK overview

If you’ve had previous eye surgery or have a complex prescription, please mention it in the form so we can book appropriate testing time.

What happens after you submit?

We contact you to confirm details and availability
We arrange a consultation and advise on contact lens pause if needed
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Updated on 13 Mar 2026