Frequently asked questions
We’ve provided some of the most asked questions with answers below but if you have a question not answered here, please get in touch and we would be happy to help you with it.
Laser Refractive Surgery (LASIK, LASEK and PRK)
Where can I get more information on laser refractive surgery?
Mr de Klerk performs his laser refractive surgery with the LASERVISION team. The LASERVISION website is an excellent source of information on LASIK, LASEK and PRK.
Cataract extraction and lens refractive surgery
What is cataract?
Cataract is clouding of the natural lens that is suspended inside every human eye.
How is cataract surgery performed?
You will be positioned comfortably lying on your back with your head supported. The eye is cleaned and then numbed using strong anaesthetic eyedrops or a combination of anaesthetic eyedrops and fluid anaesthetic that is injected around the eye. No sharp needles are used during the anaesthetic process. The cataract is then removed using tiny instruments under a microscope. The procedure itself is generally painless.
Will I be awake whilst my eye is operated on?
Most cataract surgery is done under local anaesthetic but some patients request sedatives to help them relax whilst others ask to be put completely to sleep (general anaesthetic). We can offer you all of these options.
Local anaesthetic eye surgery is generally well tolerated and comparable to going to the dentist, without the pain of the sharp needle anaesthetic that dentists have to use for their work.
What are the chances of things going wrong?
All surgery carries a risk of complications, both during the procedure itself and afterwards. We always aim to minimise these risks in every way possible. We will always discuss the possible complications of any planned operation with you in detail in order for you to make an informed decision regarding treatment.
How long do I need to take off work?
The answer depends on what sort of work you do, but as a general rule for cataract or lens surgery we suggest allowing 2 weeks.
How long will it take my vision to recover?
This varies significantly from patient to patient. Most people find that their vision settles within a week or two but in some cases a prolonged period of recovery is required.
I know in my case I am still going to need some sort of glasses after surgery. How long do I need to wait before seeing my own optician?
Four weeks after surgery is the minimum time you should wait before seeing your optician for new glasses.
How much do you charge?
New patient appointments are charged at £220. All follow up appointments are charged at £110. These fees exclude the costs of any investigations that may be required. The costs of surgical treatments vary depending on what is required in terms of your eye and your desired visual aim. Please give us a call for an estimate.