The Top 10 Laser Eye Surgery Questions We Hear from Patients
From recovery times and suitability to cost, safety and aftercare, here are the questions our team answers most often at London Vision Clinic.
Thinking about laser eye surgery naturally comes with questions. In fact, most patients arrive at their consultation after spending weeks, or sometimes years! Researching procedures, reading reviews and wondering whether treatment could genuinely work for them.
At London Vision Clinic, our patient coordinators, optometrists and surgeons speak with people at every stage of that journey. Some are simply curious about how the treatment works, while others are ready to finally move beyond glasses and contact lenses after years of frustration.
What Patients Really Want to Know
The majority of laser eye surgery questions are not actually about lasers at all. Most people simply want reassurance about safety, recovery, suitability and whether life without glasses really feels as good as patients say it does.
Treatment
How long does it take? Does it hurt? What happens during surgery?
Recovery
When can you drive, work, exercise or wear makeup again?
Suitability
Can higher prescriptions or more complex eyes still be treated?
Safety
What are the risks and how safe is modern laser eye surgery?
A Quick Journey Through the Most Common Questions
1. Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?
The short answer is no! Laser eye surgery should not be painful.
LASIK and ReLEx SMILE account for the majority of treatments performed at London Vision Clinic. During the procedure itself, patients usually describe feeling pressure or unusual sensations rather than pain.
Some temporary discomfort, watering or light sensitivity may occur during the first 24 hours after treatment, but this is typically manageable with lubricating eye drops and simple pain relief if needed.
2. Could I Go Blind from Laser Eye Surgery?
The risk of serious vision loss from laser eye surgery is extremely low.
Technically, no surgical procedure is completely risk-free. However, modern laser eye surgery has an exceptionally strong safety profile when performed by experienced refractive surgeons using advanced screening and treatment technology.
Importantly, your clinic should always discuss both the benefits and the potential risks and complications of Laser Eye Surgery transparently before treatment.
3. When Can I Return to Work?
Many LASIK and ReLEx SMILE patients return to work within around 24 hours.
Modern laser eye surgery recovery is often much faster than people expect. Most patients notice significant visual improvement within the first day following treatment.
If your work involves heavy screen use, you may need to use lubricating eye drops more regularly during recovery, as screens can temporarily increase dryness.
Patients having PRK/LASEK usually require slightly longer recovery time before returning to work comfortably.
4. How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Cost?
The cost of treatment can vary significantly depending on the clinic, technology, surgical expertise and level of aftercare included.
At premium independent clinics such as London Vision Clinic, pricing reflects not only the procedure itself, but also the level of diagnostics, personalised treatment planning and long-term clinical support provided throughout the patient journey.
You can find more information about our surgery pricing here or explore our fees and finance options.
5. Why Are Some Clinics Cheaper Than Others?
Not all laser eye surgery clinics operate at the same level of technology, expertise or screening depth.
Lower-cost providers may use older platforms, spend less time on diagnostics or restrict treatment to simpler prescriptions only.
At London Vision Clinic, pricing includes comprehensive assessments, personalised planning, surgery, aftercare and ongoing support with no hidden extras.
Find out more about the difference between Harley Street and high street clinics.
Most Patients Are More Suitable Than They Expect
One of the biggest misconceptions around laser eye surgery is that only patients with simple prescriptions qualify for treatment. In reality, advances in diagnostics and modern procedures such as ReLEx SMILE mean many patients with more complex prescriptions can now be treated safely and effectively.
At London Vision Clinic, we can treat around 98% of the patients we assess.
Other Questions We Commonly Hear
- How long does the procedure take? Most laser eye surgery procedures are completed within 5–15 minutes.
- How long is the screening process? Our comprehensive screening process can take several hours because we analyse your eyes in exceptional detail.
- When can I drive again? Most LASIK and ReLEx SMILE patients can usually drive short distances around 24 hours after surgery once cleared by their surgeon.
- When can I wear makeup again? General face makeup is often permitted after a couple of days, while eye makeup should usually be avoided for at least a week.
Still Have Questions?
We know every patient is different, and no FAQ page can answer everything. That is why our clinic coordinators, optometrists and surgeons are always happy to talk through your concerns and help you understand which options may be suitable for your eyes.
If you’re ready to find out whether laser eye surgery could be your route to clearer vision, Book a Consultation today.
