Frequently asked questions
How long does vision-correction surgery take?
A few minutes per eye, under anaesthetic drops with no injection. You spend about an hour at the centre including preparation, the procedure and the check afterwards.
When can I go back to work?
After Femto-LASIK and SMILE usually the next day or the day after. After PRK and Trans-PRK within 4–7 days, because the corneal surface needs time to heal.
When can I go back to the gym?
Light exercise after a few days; strenuous exercise and swimming after one to two weeks depending on the technique and your follow-up. The key is keeping sweat out of the eye and not rubbing it.
Can I travel after eye surgery?
Yes, after the first follow-up and your doctor's approval, taking your drops with you and using them as prescribed. Flying itself does not harm the eye after surgery.
Is surgery suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
It is better postponed, because hormones change the prescription and because of the drops used after surgery.
What is the difference between the vision-correction techniques?
Femto-LASIK uses a flap with fast recovery, SMILE is flap-free through a small incision, PRK and Trans-PRK work on the surface for thin corneas, and ICL is an internal lens for high prescriptions. The examination decides which suits you.
When does a cataract need surgery?
When it starts affecting your vision and daily life. Don't wait for it to 'ripen' — that is an outdated idea; early removal is easier with faster recovery.
Do smoking and diabetes affect the eye?
Yes. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol affect the retina and accelerate cataract. Controlling them protects your sight in the long run.
Do gaming and screens weaken eyesight?
Screens cause temporary strain and dryness but do not permanently weaken eyesight. Headache after reading or phone use may be eye strain or a sign your glasses prescription needs adjusting.
Does not wearing my glasses harm my eyes?
No. Glasses help you see clearly but do not preserve vision or prevent its decline, and not wearing them does not harm adults' eyes — except in children, who need them for visual development.
Is LASIK painful?
No. It is done with anaesthetic drops and takes minutes per eye. You may feel burning or a foreign-body sensation for a few hours after Femto-LASIK or SMILE, and for a few days after PRK.
Can my eyesight weaken again after surgery?
Surgery corrects the prescription you have at the time. If it was stable beforehand the result usually lasts; natural age changes such as presbyopia after 40 are not prevented by any procedure.
Does laser vision correction suit everyone?
No. A thin or keratoconic cornea, an unstable prescription and some eye diseases rule it out. That is why the tests come first; if you are not suitable, ICL lens implantation may be the alternative.
Will I feel the lens inside my eye?
No. The lens sits behind the iris, cannot be seen or felt, and works together with your natural lens.
Is ICL better than LASIK?
Neither better nor worse; each has its candidates. Laser suits moderate prescriptions and a healthy, thick cornea; ICL suits high prescriptions and thin corneas. The examination decides.
Can a cataract come back after surgery?
No. The clouded lens is removed for good. Some people later develop slight clouding of the membrane behind the implant, which is cleared with a quick laser session in clinic.
Are there foods to avoid after cataract surgery?
There are no dietary restrictions. Claims about avoiding watermelon, mango or other foods are myths. The real instructions concern your drops, not rubbing the eye and keeping water out of it in the first days.
Can the operation be done without replacing the lens?
No. The whole point of the operation is replacing the clouded lens with a new clear one, so a lens must be implanted to restore vision.
Does keratoconus rule out laser vision correction?
Yes, conventional laser is contraindicated because it thins an already weak cornea. But there are alternatives to improve vision: cross-linking with rings, specialty lenses, and in selected stable cases ICL implantation.
Does keratoconus cause blindness?
Very rarely with modern treatment. Most patients keep good vision through early cross-linking and lenses or rings, and even advanced cases are treated with corneal transplantation.
Will my vision improve after cross-linking?
The primary goal is to stop deterioration. Some patients notice a small improvement; real visual improvement comes from rings or specialty lenses once the cornea is stable.
How does CTAK differ from synthetic rings?
Synthetic rings are plastic; CTAK is natural corneal tissue, so it is more compatible with the eye and can be used even in thin corneas unsuitable for synthetic rings.
Where does the donor cornea come from?
From accredited eye banks that screen tissue thoroughly before use and supply whole corneas or pre-prepared layers for transplantation.
Can I have LASIK after 50?
Possible in selected cases, but after 50 lens implantation is usually the better option because it addresses presbyopia and early cataract together.
Are blue-light glasses necessary?
There is no scientific evidence that they protect the eye or prevent weakening vision. What genuinely helps is less uninterrupted staring, blinking, and regular screen breaks.
Do carrots improve eyesight?
A common myth. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which is important for general eye health, but they do not correct short-sight or replace glasses or surgery.
Is it harmful to have an eye test anywhere?
It does no harm, but measuring the prescription alone is not enough to decide on surgery; you need full corneal imaging and a dilated examination by a specialist consultant.
I want to apply to a military college — what should I do?
Have a comprehensive examination early, including colour-vision testing, and have the procedure well before applying so that your vision has stabilised and you pass the medical without issues.