When might an enhancement be needed after Laser Eye Surgery?
If you have decided to take the plunge and go ahead with Laser Eye Surgery, you may think that you have considered every possible detail. You’ve read up on the main types of Laser Eye Surgery, looked into whether your prescription is treatable, and even considered the risks and side effects.
But have you considered the possibility that you may need an enhancement procedure after your initial treatment?
It is easy to assume that Laser Eye Surgery treatment is a simple, one-time-only affair. And in the vast majority of cases, patients will not need to return to the clinic aside for their scheduled aftercare appointments; however, this isn’t the case for everyone.
In a small number of cases, initial treatment may not have achieved the desired outcome. Largely, this can be attributed to sub-standard treatment and/or failure to carry out an adequate screening process. This is less likely to be the case at high-quality clinics.
Making sure that you select the right clinic for your needs is the most important consideration when deciding to have Laser Eye Surgery treatment. A number of factors will determine which clinic is right – not just the price. For example, the clinic’s previous results with similar prescriptions to yours and the extent of treatments they offer.
However, there are other factors that could affect your chances of needing an enhancement. It is important to know what these are and – if you should need an enhancement – find out whether this is included in the cost of your treatment.
Are you likely to need an enhancement procedure?
As we said, the majority of patients won’t require an enhancement procedure. However, as Mr Glenn Carp explains in the video below, there are certain considerations that may put you at an increased risk of requiring further treatment.
In the video above, Mr Glenn Carp explains the eye’s healing response to Laser Eye Surgery and when an enhancement procedure may be required.
Having a high prescription
Generally, the higher your prescription, the higher the chances that you may require an enhancement procedure to achieve your desired outcome. While this isn’t always the case, a higher prescription requires a larger area of the cornea to be treated. As a result, there tends to be a slightly higher variation in the refraction of light as your eyes heal.
Figures show that enhancement rates are lower among patients with lower prescriptions; however, those with higher prescriptions are still relatively unlikely to require an enhancement procedure. Still, around 10% to 20% of patients benefit from an enhancement procedure following their initial treatment.
How will I know if I need an enhancement?
After your surgery, you will schedule a series of follow-up consultations with your surgeon and/or ophthalmologist at 1 day, 1-3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after your Laser Eye Surgery.
This gives us plenty of opportunities to assess your progress as your eyes heal. At these appointments, we will discuss your satisfaction with your vision and any options that may improve your results further. Your clinic should only offer you an enhancement procedure if you have a real potential of seeing better than after your initial surgery.
Enhancement at London Vision Clinic
At London Vision Clinic, we reassess your eyes only after your vision has fully stabilised to decide whether an enhancement procedure is the best option. We pride ourselves in helping our patients achieve the best possible vision. That’s why – even if a patient is has a 20/20 visual acuity score after their Laser Eye Surgery – if we think they have the potential to see even better, we will offer a complementary enhancement.
This commitment means that 4 out of 5 (80%) of our short-sighted patients with a prescription up to -9D can see at 20/16 or better after all treatments. Furthermore, almost half (47%) of our long-sighted patients up to +6D achieve the same results!
If you would like to learn more about Enhancement procedures at London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to start your journey to better vision.
Our Fees start from £5,500 for laser eye treatment for both eyes. Complex prescriptions may cost up to £6,900. Cataract surgery costs £3,500. Flexible finance makes the best more affordable: Choose payments from £56 per month or a low 10% initial payment. Finance from one to five years is available, including a 24-month interest-free option. Find out more.
