Mr Subramaniam is highly skilled and experienced in the two types of laser eye procedures – specifically LASIK and surface laser treatments, like LASEK.

LASIK

The modern LASIK treatment is blade free and uses two different lasers. A Femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap of cornea, then an Excimer laser is used to precisely reshape the cornea to correct refractive errors. This method minimises damage to the surface tissue of the eye, reducing the risk of scarring and allowing for quicker healing.

At your consultation we’ll assess whether you have the corneal thickness necessary to safely perform the LASIK treatment. If this isn’t the case then surface laser treatment would be your better option.

LASEK

Surface laser treatment, Lasek, uses the same technology to reshape the cornea as Lasik to correct refractive errors. If your cornea is thinner than normal this would be a better treatment for you. It’s also the best treatment if you do certain jobs or participate in particular sports.

In this treatment the surface cells are gently lifted off the corneal surface and the Excimer laser is used to correct the refractive error. The surface cells are then replaced and a bandage contact lens is inserted for a few days to allow the eye’s surface to heal.

Wavefront guided laser treatment

In addition to refractive errors, other minor imperfections can often also affect your vision. It’s not always essential or practical to correct these imperfections but in selected patients we can use Wavefront laser treatments to improve the quality of your vision.

SMILE (Small incision lenticule extraction)

This procedure uses a femtosecond laser to create a corrective lens shape (lenticule) within the cornea. A small incision is made in the cornea to dissect and remove the lenticule. The visual recovery is slower than LASIK but comfort may be achieved quicker than LASEK. There is no registration of the eye image in SMILE nor is it compatible with wavefront guided treatment.

What you need to know

Success rates for laser refractive surgery are excellent, but as with all medical procedures there are risks. At your consultation Mr Subramaniam, will discuss all the potential risks with you and you’ll get the chance to ask any questions and become familiar with the treatment. You can then make a fully informed decision before booking the procedure. More detailed information from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, can be found here.