Choosing a Clinic for Laser Eye Surgery


Many laser eye surgery clinics offer an initial free consultation.  It may be an idea to visit a couple of clinics to help you decide where you feel the most comfortable.  Obviously, geographical location is crucial, particularly since a number of post-operative appointments may be required.  Laser eye surgery procedures are carried out in laser eye surgery clinics but some Ophthalmologists work in private hospitals or in the private wing of an NHS hospital, carrying out laser treatment as well as other eye procedures.  To help you find a laser eye surgery clinic near you, visit the find page.

Qualifications & Memberships

All laser eye surgeons must be members of the General Medical Counsel.The UK’s Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommends that refractive surgeons should be fully trained Ophthalmologists and should have undergone additional specialist training in refractive surgery.  In 2006, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists introduced a non-mandatory assessment in laser refractive surgery, which leads to a certificate of competence to practice.  This is subject to satisfactory yearly appraisals and continuing professional development.  It may be an idea to check if the surgeon has received a Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (note that this certification has only recently been offered and there are very few ophthalmologists who have completed the assessment).

Many surgeons are members of the British Society for Refractive Surgery (BSRS).  This exists for the interest of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and others involved in all forms of refractive surgery.  The society aims to provide a forum for the exchange of scientific information so that members can keep abreast of developments.  Other associations include the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, British Medical Association and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Refractive surgeons that are also NHS Consultants in Ophthalmology, will meet the following criteria: 

  • A minimum of eight years training
  • Fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  • Experience of a wide range of eye diseases
  • Regularly performance of intra-ocular microsurgical procedures
  • Experience of a wide variety of eye diseases in addition to refractive problems.

If a surgeon is not a specialist in laser eye surgery, this does not mean that they don’t have the necessary experience to carry out laser surgery, but for complex cases it may be advisable to see someone that specialises in the surgery you are undergoing. 

Surgeon Experience

In general, the more operations a surgeon has carried out the higher their success rate in laser eye surgery.  Bare-in-mind that in some cases sight without glasses might not be as good as sight with glasses before the surgery.  Although this difference is minor, it is advisable to find out what results the surgeon has had in his/her procedures.  Further, check how many patients have had to come in for further treatment to improve on the initial results.  Complications in laser eye surgery occur in less than 5% of cases, but you must make sure your surgeon outlines all of the risks.

Clinic Service

Laser eye surgery should not be performed within 24 hours following the initial consultation.  The follow-up appointment after the procedure should be with a surgeon.  The surgeon should maintain an outpatient service and although this may not be where the surgery is taking place, the clinic should provide routine and emergency follow-up care.

Cost of Surgery

It is important not to choose a clinic purely on the basis that their laser eye surgery prices are cheaper than others or because they offer finance plans.  Try to find a clinic that you feel comfortable in and that can provide the treatment to the standard that you are happy with.  Then ask the clinic if they offer finance options.  Most laser eye surgery clinics offer some kind of finance plan.  Visit the cost of laser eye surgery page to find out more about the cost of surgery.

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