Laser Myopia Surgery: duration, cost and step by step

• Myopia is an ocular alteration in which distant objects are focused in front of the retina instead of on it, causing blurring of objects.
• The most commonly used surgery for myopia is laser refractive surgery due to its safety and efficacy.
• In this article, you will find everything you need to know to face myopia surgery with confidence and all the guarantees.

Myopia surgery lasts an estimated 15-20 minutes per eye and is normally performed in 2 sessions. This duration may vary depending on the surgeon's skill and the characteristics and fragility of the cornea.

This duration refers to the time of the operation as such. It is advisable to go to the centre an hour and a half beforehand, in order to hand in the relevant documentation at the admissions desk and to wait and then enter the pre-surgical room.

Furthermore, the anaesthesia usually lasts for about an hour after the operation, so you should not take the car and it is recommended that you come accompanied.

The cost of laser myopia surgery at Operarme includes everything you need to perform the procedure safely and achieve the best results. The price includes myopia specialists with extensive experience in first class hospitals.

The all-inclusive price for this procedure starts from 990 € per eye.

Our price includes all the services necessary for the correct performance of the surgery:

• Booking and use of the operating theatre.
• Study and preoperative medical tests.
• Medical fees.
• Post-operative visits until medical discharge.
• Anaesthetists' fees and anaesthetic drops.
• Surgical material necessary for the operation.
• Use of lasik laser technology to perform the operation.

In addition, the patient has a personal patient service advisor at their disposal at all times during the process, helping them with everything they need and solving any doubts they may have, so that they do not feel alone at any time and can only worry about solving their medical problem. 

If you have any questions about this subject or any other related to Operarme or surgery, do not hesitate to write us a contact form, we will answer you as soon as possible.

In order to undergo myopia surgery, prospective patients must meet a number of requirements to ensure the success of the operation. It is usually the responsibility of the ophthalmologist to determine suitable candidates.

Pre-operative myopia surgery

The factors that the ophthalmologist must take into account when determining whether a patient is suitable are as follows:

• Age. Specialists prefer patients from the age of 21, as by this age myopia has usually stabilised.
• Prescription. In patients whose prescription is too low, it may be unnecessary to eliminate the use of glasses.
• Stability of the prescription. Myopia surgery is usually considered for patients who have had a stable prescription for years.
• Healthy eyes. It is important that the future patient has healthy eyes with no retinal problems or other eye diseases. Any of these complications may prevent the surgery from being performed.
• History. The ophthalmologist should keep track of the prospective patient's medical history.

The tests used to determine whether the patient can undergo myopia surgery and tailor the treatment are:

• Review of medical history. To check the existence of possible previous diseases and determine their compatibility with the operation.
• Corneal topography. Through which the different points of the cornea are measured. It allows anomalies that are incompatible with the operation to be observed. This test may be affected if the patient wears glasses, so the test must be repeated.
• Pachymetry. This is based on measuring the thickness of the cornea to determine how much of it will be removed during the operation.
• Keratometry. This involves projecting a series of light images to measure the radius of curvature and map the surface of the cornea.
• Pupillometry. This is used to test the pupil's response to different stimuli.
• Aberrometry. Used to determine the optical properties of the cornea and crystalline lens based on their morphology.

It is important that, during the first medical check-up prior to the myopia operation, the patient details any history or peculiarities they may have. This includes any medication you take regularly and whether you have any allergies.

It is also essential to follow the eyelid hygiene treatment prescribed by the doctor. This hygiene is usually based on the use of eye drops for the prophylaxis of infections. It is always advisable to avoid washing your hair on the day of the operation to prevent shampoo from getting into the eye and irritating it. 

For the same reason, it is not advisable to use perfume, make-up or eye drops. Don't forget to ask any questions you may have so that you can go to the operation with complete peace of mind.

Laser myopia surgery: step by step

At the start of the laser myopia surgery, the surgical area is disinfected with povidone iodine or chlorhexidine. After this, the anaesthetic procedure is performed, consisting of a series of anaesthetic drops that prevent any type of pain or uncomfortable sensation.

Next, a microkeratome, also known as a suction pump, is placed in the eye to prevent blood spilled during the procedure from reaching the cornea.

The surgeon then cuts the cornea in a circle, leaving one end of the cornea intact. A layer of the cornea is lifted so that the laser can work on it. During this process you may experience some discomfort but never pain.

The laser carves the cornea to correct its curvature. The laser application lasts a few seconds depending on the type of patient, the morphology of the eye and its dioptres.

The area is then cleaned of any debris and the outer part of the cornea is placed back on top of the cornea and left to heal on its own. Adhesion between the parts of the cornea can be enhanced by drying the interface. The procedure ends with the application of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.

After this, the patient can leave the clinic on their own, but always accompanied, as they will not be allowed to drive.

Postoperative care after laser myopia surgery

It is recommended that you take the day of the operation to rest. This is because as the effects of the anaesthetic drops wear off, you will begin to feel some normal discomfort.

The day after surgery, about 90% of vision will have been recovered. The rest will improve over the course of the month. During recovery, vision will not be stable and there will be times when it is better and times when it gets worse. Vision will vary from one eye to another. Therefore, noticing that you see better in one eye than in the other is normal in the process of visual recovery.

The evolution of the improvement in vision will be monitored by the doctor through a series of consultations. These consultations will take place the day after the operation and normally one week after the operation, although depending on the case, there may only be one.

Unless the doctor stipulates otherwise, you can read, watch TV and walk without any problems. The same applies to returning to work. This can take place the day after the operation, although it is advisable to take a week's rest.

During the first two weeks, goggles should be worn if you intend to swim or play other sports. It is advisable not to wear make-up during these two weeks. Before driving again, a clinical examination is necessary.

It is normal for the eye to release small external secretions from the eyes. They should be washed with gauze soaked in sterile serum, gently rubbing the eyelids. Artificial tears should be used for the time indicated by the ophthalmologist.

If you are thinking of having laser surgery for myopia, remember that you can request a free and immediate surgical assessment consultation with one of our ophthalmologists by clicking on the image below: