Laser eye surgery for pilots is permitted by the UK CAA and EASA for Class 1 and Class 2 aircrew, using LASIK, PRK/LASEK or SMILE. At our partner clinics treatment starts from £2,400 per eye (from £2,900 for SMILE), all-inclusive of assessment, surgery, medications, aftercare and the documentation your Aeromedical Examiner requires. Surface ablation (PRK/LASEK) is traditionally favoured for aircrew because no corneal flap is created, but modern LASIK and flapless SMILE are also accepted — your surgeon recommends the safest technique for your eyes and role, and confirms the recovery period before you return to flying.
Laser eye surgery for pilots and the Class 1 medical
For professional and student pilots, uncorrected vision is a career asset. Laser eye surgery can free you from glasses and contact lenses while keeping you within the strict visual standards of a Class 1 aviation medical. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and EASA both permit corneal refractive surgery for commercial aircrew, subject to a stable, healthy outcome and a defined recovery period before you return to the flight deck.
The key is careful planning. Your prescription must be within treatable limits, your corneas healthy and thick enough, and your result documented for your Aeromedical Examiner. A thorough laser eye surgery suitability check is the essential first step for any pilot considering surgery.
Who is suitable?
- Stable prescription for at least 12 months
- Healthy corneas of adequate thickness on topography scanning
- No significant dry eye or corneal disease such as keratoconus
- Realistic prescription range that surgery can bring within Class 1 limits
- Aged 21 or over with no active eye conditions
Planning your aviation medical? A suitability assessment confirms whether laser surgery can get you within Class 1 standard — before you commit.
Book a suitability checkLaser eye surgery options
We offer the full range of corneal laser techniques. For aircrew, the choice balances rapid recovery against corneal integrity — your surgeon will explain which suits your role and eyes.
Compare the techniques in detail on our LASIK, PRK, LASEK surface ablation and SMILE pages, or read the full laser eye surgery overview.
What happens during laser eye surgery
Laser eye surgery is a day-case procedure under local anaesthetic eye drops and takes around 10–15 minutes per eye. You are awake throughout and feel no pain, only mild pressure.
- Numbing drops are applied and a soft holder keeps the eyelids gently open.
- For LASIK, a femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap; for PRK/LASEK the surface layer is gently moved aside instead.
- An excimer laser reshapes the cornea in seconds to correct your prescription, guided by your wavefront or topography map.
- The flap is repositioned (LASIK) or a protective contact lens is placed (PRK/LASEK).
- You rest briefly, then go home the same day — someone must drive you.
Recovery week-by-week
LASIK and SMILE recover quickly; surface treatments (PRK/LASEK) take a little longer as the surface layer heals.
Day of surgery
Vision is misty and eyes may water or feel gritty for a few hours. Rest with eyes closed. Drops begin.
Days 1–3
LASIK/SMILE vision is often functional the next day. PRK/LASEK feels sore for 2–4 days while the surface heals under a bandage lens.
Week 1
First review. Most LASIK patients are back to work and driving; surface-treatment vision is still sharpening.
Weeks 2–4
Vision stabilises and night-time halos fade. Continue lubricating drops as advised.
1–3 months
Vision is settled. Final refractive check confirms your result and, for aircrew, your certifying paperwork.
Laser eye surgery cost for pilots
Our laser prices are all-inclusive of your assessment, the treatment and aftercare — including the documentation your Aeromedical Examiner needs:
- Self-pay: from £2,400 per eye for LASIK or PRK/LASEK; from £2,900 per eye for SMILE.
- Typical UK range: around £1,300–£3,000 per eye depending on technology and prescription.
- Finance: 0% options available to spread the cost.
For the full breakdown see our laser eye surgery cost guide and is laser eye surgery worth the cost?