What happens
After numbing drops, one laser opens a thin flap in the front of the cornea and a second reshapes the tissue under it. The flap is laid back without stitches. The laser work takes seconds to a couple of minutes per eye; the visit takes a few hours with the checks before and the rest after.
Is it right for you?
LASIK suits adults with a prescription that has held steady for a year or more, healthy eyes and a cornea thick enough for the flap. Dry eyes, thin corneas and contact sports such as boxing or martial arts usually point to LASEK, PRK or SMILE. Very high prescriptions point to an implantable lens.
Back to normal in Dublin
You can't drive yourself home after treatment. Have someone collect you or book a taxi, bring sunglasses because light will feel harsh, and leave the Luas or DART for another day. Most people are back at a desk after about two days. Driving waits until the clinic confirms you meet the standard, usually after 24 to 48 hours. As a general guide: no gym for a week, no swimming for two (that includes the Forty Foot), no contact sport for four.
The risks
Glare and halos around lights at night, dry or gritty eyes and red marks on the white of the eye are common and usually fade over a few months. About 1 in 10 people need a top-up. Flap problems and serious loss of sight are rare. Laser can't make you see better than you do with your glasses on.
Cost
€1,500 to €2,600 per eye, €3,000 to €5,200 for both, €2,400 to €4,160 after tax relief. Custom (wavefront) LASIK starts from €2,000 an eye.
Choosing a Dublin surgeon
Ask who will operate and look the surgeon up on the Medical Council's register: an eye surgeon practising as a specialist should be on its Specialist Division, in ophthalmology.
Give yourself at least a week between meeting the surgeon and deciding, as the Royal College of Ophthalmologists advises, and check the deposit is refundable.
Questions people ask
How long does LASIK take?
The laser part takes seconds to a couple of minutes per eye. Plan on a few hours at the clinic.
When can I go back to work after LASIK?
Usually after about two days, sooner for some people, longer for dusty or outdoor work.
Can I get the Luas home after LASIK?
Better not on the day: your eyes are sore and light-sensitive. Get a lift or a taxi, and use public transport for the check-ups.