LASIK in Dubai

LASIK surgery is a quick and painless procedure that can greatly improve your vision so you will no longer rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. LASIK treats the cornea, the clear outer covering of the eye responsible for focusing light on the retina. By reshaping the cornea, LASIK improves the way light focuses on the retina for clearer vision.

What Does LASIK Correct?

LASIK corrects three refractive errors: nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a condition in which nearby objects appear in focus but faraway objects appear blurry. It occurs when a problem with the cornea’s curvature causes it to focus light in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

With farsightedness, or hyperopia, faraway objects appear in focus but nearby objects appear blurry. It occurs when a problem with the cornea’s curvature causes light to focus behind the retina instead of on it.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is curved more steeply in one direction than the other. It can cause objects at near and far distances to appear blurry or out of focus.

LASIK involves using a laser to ablate microscopic bits of corneal tissue, permanently reshaping it to correct refractive errors and produce clear, crisp vision.

Advantages of LASIK

  • Short procedure – the laser correction takes less than a minute per eye
  • Minimal pain and discomfort after surgery
  • No bandages or stitches required after surgery
  • Rapid visual recovery – results can be seen very quickly
  • Little to no need for corrective eyewear after surgery
  • Great track record of success

What to Expect During LASIK

  • You remain awake during the procedure.
  • Your eyes will be numbed with drops and, aside from a little pressure, you most likely won’t feel a thing during the procedure.
  • Typically both eyes are treated during the same visit.
  • Laser eye surgery is a walk-in/walk-out procedure, generally taking less than 10 minutes.

LASIK Patient Testimonials

What is refractive surgery?

“Refractive surgery” is a catchall term that includes several different kinds of surgeries to correct vision, including LASIK. Typically refractive surgeries correct mild vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism; however, they may also be used to treat more severe vision problems or repair cataracts.

What is PRK surgery?

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was the first type of laser eye surgery available before LASIK. While LASIK has become the more popular procedure, PRK is still available to patients today. It is a beneficial option for people who have thin corneas and may not be suitable candidates for LASIK.

Dubai laser eye surgery

How does LASIK work?

LASIK is a quick procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea, which changes how light hits the retina (the inside lining of the eye) and allows the eye to better focus on objects. The procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes per eye.

The first step of the LASIK procedure is to use a handheld surgical instrument or laser to create a flap in the outer layer of the cornea. The flap is folded back and the underlying tissue is carefully reshaped with another laser to improve its curvature. After the laser correction, the flap is restored to its original position, where it seals itself.

Who is a Candidate for LASIK?

There are many factors that determine whether someone is a good candidate for laser eye surgery. Qualities of a good LASIK candidate include the following:

  • Healthy eyes that are free from active infection, injury or other medical problems
  • 18 years or older
  • Stable vision prescription that has not significantly changed in the six months prior to LASIK
  • Ample corneal thickness to withstand the creation of the cornea flap
  • Good general health
  • Not pregnant or nursing

What is the alternative to LASIK?

If for some reason laser eye surgery is not an option, patients may choose to continue wearing corrective lenses (contacts or glasses), or undergo other refractive surgeries or lens implantation to help with severe vision impairments.

LASIK Eye Surgery FAQ

What is IntraLASIK?

IntraLASIK (also called IntraLase) is an advanced type of LASIK that is completely blade-free. An advanced femtosecond laser is used to create a thin, hinged flap in the cornea – instead of a microkeratome blade (the tool used in the traditional LASIK and PRK procedures). Because the majority of LASIK complications are associated with the microkeratome blade, IntraLASIK is often considered a safer method.

What is the best LASIK technology?

At Atlanta Vision Clinic we strive to maintain the newest technology for LASIK procedures. In our office we employ both the IntraLase and Bausch & Lomb Technolas Zyoptix HD systems, allowing us to create a more personalized experience for our patients.

Will I be in any pain during LASIK?

During the LASIK procedure, there is mild discomfort and no pain. Following the procedure, patients may experience some scratchiness, burning and tearing for two to three hours.

Will I be awake as the operation is being performed?

Yes. Dr. Ashraf asks patients to fixate on the red blinking light in the microscope during the procedure. Keep in mind the whole treatment happens rather quickly. With Dr. Ashraf’s experience and the speed of the Wavelight Allegretto laser, the entire LASIK procedure is completed in less than 10 minutes.

When can I wear eye makeup after surgery?

We recommend buying new mascara after surgery to avoid infection and to wait one to two weeks before using eye makeup.

Will eye drops be necessary after surgery?

With LASIK, these drops are only used for a week and rarely cause any problems. However, the eyes should still be monitored on a monthly basis to fine-tune the drop dosage and check for any unwanted side effects, such as delayed or rapid healing and elevation in eye pressure (glaucoma). Antibiotic drops are also used for about a week with both procedures. Please see our postoperative instructions.

When can I go back to work?

Most people can return to their normal activities the day after the LASIK procedure, and that includes driving and going to work.

What is the cost of LASIK?

The cost of LASIK depends on factors such as the eye doctor performing the procedure and the technology used. At our Dubai LASIK clinic, we strive to provide honest, straightforward information regarding pricing. We are happy to discuss LASIK costs in detail with you during a consultation.

How do you clean your eyes after LASIK?

You will be advised to keep water, soap, shampoo and other washing liquids out of your eyes for approximately two weeks after surgery. Our team will explain how to keep the margins of your eyelids clean after surgery using special products. We will also give you instructions for using the prescribed eye drops correctly after surgery.

What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?

PRK and LASIK are both designed to treat refractive errors by reshaping the cornea. With LASIK, a flap is made in the outer layer of corneal cells prior to the laser correction; after the laser correction, the flap is restored to its original position over the eye and heals itself. With PRK, the outer layer of corneal cells is removed altogether before the laser correction is applied; the cells then regenerate on their own in the days and weeks following surgery.