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LASIK Eye Surgery

Clearer vision. A short procedure. Rapid recovery.

LASIK is a well-established type of laser eye surgery designed to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. The procedure typically takes around 10 minutes per eye, and many patients notice a significant improvement in their vision within 24 - 48 hours.

At Optilase, every treatment starts with a detailed assessment of your eyes. If LASIK is right for you, your treatment will be tailored to your prescription and eye measurements using advanced laser technology. If another procedure is better suited to your eyes, we'll explain why and talk you through your options.

Young woman having an eye examination before laser eye surgery

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  • LASIK

    From €2,097.50 per eye

    or from €88 per month

    A flap-based laser procedure with rapid visual recovery, usually within a day.

    • Free consultation
    • Advanced diagnostic scans
    • Pre-operative appointment with ophthalmic surgeon
    • Surgery
    • Post-operative follow up care with refractive optometrist
    • Eye care drops
    • Laser lifetime care guarantee

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A fast-recovery Laser Eye Surgery option

LASIK offers a fast route to reducing dependence on glasses or contact lenses. It combines a short, same-day procedure with rapid visual recovery and decades of clinical use.

LASIK is not the right procedure for everyone. Corneal thickness, prescription, age, eye health and lifestyle all influence which type of laser eye surgery is most appropriate. Your free consultation is designed to establish that before you make any decision about treatment.

Young man with a basketball smiling outdoors after laser eye surgery

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It is a form of laser eye surgery that changes the shape of the cornea — the clear front surface of your eye — so that light can focus more accurately.

During LASIK surgery, your consultant ophthalmic surgeon creates a very thin flap in the cornea using blade-free IntraLase technology. The flap is gently lifted, and an excimer laser reshapes the corneal tissue underneath according to your prescription. The flap is then repositioned, where it begins to heal naturally without stitches.

The procedure can correct short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. LASIK has become one of the most established forms of laser vision correction because the treatment itself is short and recovery is generally rapid.

Two young men laughing outdoors with a football after LASIK

How does LASIK Eye Surgery work?

LASIK involves four main steps.

  • 01

    Anaesthetic drops

    Before LASIK begins, anesthetic eye drops are applied to numb the surface of your eye. You remain awake throughout the procedure, but the drops are used to keep you comfortable. Your clinical team will talk you through what is happening throughout treatment.

  • 02

    Blade-free IntraLase flap creation

    Your surgeon creates a thin flap on the surface of the cornea using blade-free IntraLase technology. IntraLase uses precise femtosecond laser pulses rather than a surgical blade to create the corneal flap. This stage takes only a short time and is planned based on your eye's individual measurements.

  • 03

    Laser reshaping

    The flap is gently lifted, and an excimer laser reshapes the underlying cornea to correct your prescription. i-Design Advanced Wavefront Technology can be used to create a detailed map of your eye and inform a more personalised laser treatment profile. The laser itself works very quickly, while tracking technology helps account for small eye movements during treatment.

  • 04

    The flap is repositioned and healing begins

    Once the laser reshaping is complete, your surgeon carefully repositions the corneal flap. The flap begins to settle naturally, and LASIK eye surgery healing time is generally much quicker than with surface laser procedures such as PRK.

Your free LASIK consultation

The most important part of your LASIK journey happens before surgery. Not everybody who wants LASIK will be suitable for it, so your consultation is designed to assess your eyes carefully and determine which treatment - if any - is appropriate.

Your free consultation with an Optilase Laser Optometrist takes approximately one hour and includes a detailed assessment of your vision and eye health. There is no obligation to book surgery following your consultation.

Two women in the Optilase waiting area before their eye consultations

Your LASIK consultation includes:

  • A discussion about your prescription, eye health and vision history
  • Assessment of your suitability for LASIK or an alternative treatment
  • A review of what you would like to achieve from treatment
  • An explanation of the recommended procedure
  • Detailed measurements and scans of your eyes
  • Discussion of recovery, aftercare and potential risks
  • Assessment of your corneal shape and thickness
  • Clear information about your individual treatment cost
  • i-Design and advanced eye mapping where appropriate
  • Time to ask any questions before deciding whether to proceed

Preparing for LASIK Eye Surgery

Your clinical team will give you personalised instructions for preparing for LASIK eye surgery.

These may include temporarily stopping contact lens wear before certain scans or treatment, avoiding eye make-up on the day of surgery and using lubrication drops to improve corneal health.

You will receive clear instructions in advance so that you know exactly what to expect.

Young man playing basketball outdoors after laser eye surgery

Who is suitable for LASIK?

LASIK eye surgery is suitable for many adults with short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism, but suitability can only be confirmed after your eyes have been fully assessed.

Your lifestyle can matter too. For example, certain occupations or contact sports may influence whether a flap-based procedure such as LASIK or a surface procedure such as PRK is preferred.

Some prescriptions stronger than approximately -9 or +3 may require an alternative vision correction treatment. Your optometrist will explain your options based on your individual scans.

You may be a suitable candidate if you:

  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Have a stable glasses or contact lens prescription
  • Have healthy eyes
  • Have sufficient corneal thickness for LASIK
  • Have a prescription within the treatable range
  • Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have realistic expectations about what laser eye surgery can achieve
Smiling man swimming in the sea after PRK eye surgery

Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery

For suitable patients, LASIK can offer several advantages.

Laser Lifetime Care Guarantee

Our team takes great pride in their work, and so we offer a lifetime guarantee on all laser procedures at our clinics. The Optilase laser lifetime care guarantee offers reassurance and an added layer of confidence to anyone undergoing Laser Eye Surgery.

If your prescription changes in the future and can be corrected by a laser enhancement procedure, we will offer it to you completely free of charge. That's our promise to you.

Read the full guarantee
Smiling Optilase ophthalmologist in black scrubs and a surgical cap

LASIK recovery, aftercare and risk

LASIK is known for its rapid initial recovery, but your eyes still need time and care to heal properly.

The first 24 - 48 hours

Many patients notice a major improvement in their vision within the first day or two. Immediately after LASIK, however, it is normal for your eyes and vision to feel different while they begin to settle.

You will be given aftercare instructions and any prescribed eye drops before leaving the clinic.

Temporary symptoms can include:

  • Dryness or grittiness
  • Watering
  • Light sensitivity
  • Mild irritation
  • Fluctuating vision
  • Glare or halos, particularly around lights

Care after LASIK Eye Surgery

Following your aftercare instructions is an important part of your recovery. Your clinical team will explain when you can return to work, exercise, driving and other everyday activities. You will also receive guidance about eye drops, avoiding rubbing your eyes and precautions around make-up, showering, swimming and other activities while your eyes heal.

You should attend all scheduled follow-up appointments even if your vision feels excellent. These appointments allow us to monitor your healing and respond to any concerns.

Young man balancing a football on his head in a park after LASIK

How long does LASIK Eye Surgery take to heal?

The most noticeable visual recovery commonly happens during the first 24 - 48 hours, but that does not mean the eye has finished healing. Your vision may continue to settle and fluctuate during the following weeks.

Your individual recovery depends on factors including your prescription, eye health and natural healing response. Your Optilase team will monitor your progress during your follow-up care.

Young man laughing with a friend outdoors after laser eye surgery

Is LASIK safe? Understanding the risks

LASIK is a thoroughly established surgical procedure with a long clinical history, but no eye surgery is completely risk-free. Careful patient selection is therefore essential.

Potential side effects and complications can include:

  • Temporary or persistent dry eye symptoms
  • Glare, halos or starbursts around lights
  • Fluctuating vision during recovery
  • Under-correction or over-correction
  • Some return of the original prescription over time
  • The need for enhancement treatment in suitable cases
  • Inflammation or infection
  • Flap-related complications
  • Less commonly, more significant changes to vision

Your individual risk depends on factors such as your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, existing dry eye, pupil characteristics and overall eye health.

What is the LASIK Eye Surgery risk percentage?

There is no single LASIK eye surgery risk percentage that accurately describes every possible side effect or complication. Different risks occur at different rates, and temporary symptoms such as dryness or glare should not be grouped with uncommon surgical complications as if they were the same outcome.

The most useful assessment is therefore your personal risk profile. At your consultation, we will assess your eyes and discuss the benefits, limitations and relevant risks so you can make an informed decision about whether LASIK is right for you.

Smiling Optilase optometrist leaning against a white wall

Advanced LASIK technology at Optilase

Precision begins with understanding the individual characteristics of your eyes.

i-Design Advanced Wavefront Technology

No two eyes are exactly alike.

i-Design uses detailed wavefront measurements and eye mapping to build a highly individual picture of how your eye focuses light. This information can be used to create a personalised treatment plan based on characteristics of your vision that go beyond a standard glasses prescription. The result is a treatment tailored to your individual eyes, for greater precision than a standard glasses prescription allows.

Blade-free IntraLase

IntraLase uses a femtosecond laser to create the thin corneal flap required during LASIK.

Unlike older techniques that could use a mechanical blade for this stage, the Optilase LASIK procedure uses a blade-free laser approach. The shape and dimensions of the flap can be planned according to your individual eye measurements before your surgeon proceeds with laser vision correction.

Meet our surgeons

Our surgeons are among the most skilled and experienced in Ireland. Each one is highly qualified in the latest vision correction technologies, with patient safety and outcomes at the heart of everything they do.

  • Mr Thomas Materman

    Mr Tom Materman received his primary medical degree from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in 1991. He worked as a locum GP before spending 12 months in Nepal with the Tilganga Eye Institute, part of the Fred Hollows Foundation, committed to providing first-world eye care in third-world countries. He then underwent postgraduate training in Ophthalmology in Wellington, New Zealand. After his training, he gained further Fellowship experience at the West of England Eye Hospital and the glaucoma service of Moorfields Eye Hospital, then completed a two-year refractive surgical fellowship in London with Professor Jan Venter.

    Since 2006 he has been a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Mr Materman has performed over 30,000 laser vision correction procedures (LASIK and PRK) and has significant experience in other areas of refractive practice such as lens replacement surgery, ICL implantation and cataract surgery. He keeps his knowledge up to date by attending numerous courses and conferences and is enrolled in an approved CPD programme by the Irish College of Ophthalmologists.

    Mr Materman is dedicated to using the most advanced techniques and safest technologies worldwide, and is a member of various professional organisations including the Irish Medical Council, the General Medical Council (UK) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

    In his free time he enjoys photography, cooking, and outdoor activities such as mountain biking, road cycling and ocean sports.

  • Mr Mikhail Hernandez

    Mr Mikhail Hernandez is a fully qualified medical practitioner with vast experience in ophthalmology. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, with great distinction, and gaining his Spanish University Medical Degree in 2011, his passion for ophthalmology developed. Becoming a specialist in the field, Mr Hernandez continued his studies in ophthalmology, winning the scholarship of the Congress of the Valencian Society of Ophthalmology in 2016 and becoming a Specialist Doctor of Ophthalmology in 2017.

    Since then Mr Hernandez has completed a number of advanced qualifications in ophthalmology. He is a cornea specialist with experience in both normal and pathological corneal diagnosis and treatment, having performed multiple intricate surgeries such as corneal transplant, keratoconus and pterygium, using advanced technologies including the femtosecond and excimer lasers. He has practised as an ophthalmologist in southern Ireland and in Spain, has performed more than 4,000 cataract surgery procedures, and has gained a vast amount of experience in refractive intraocular lens treatments.

    With a keen interest in cataract and lens replacement care, Mr Hernandez regularly attends and speaks at industry conferences to stay on top of the latest developments in the field, and has shared his findings as a co-author and research participant in a substantial number of medical books, journals and clinical studies both internationally and nationally. He also teaches ophthalmology residents and medical students from Spain and other parts of Europe in the ophthalmology and cornea field.

    On a personal level, Mr Hernandez loves to travel and to spend time with his family. His current favourite pastime is raising his baby.

  • Dr Mehul Damani

    Dr Mehul Damani is an ophthalmic surgeon with extensive specialist training in refractive surgery and is considered a leader in his field by his patients and peers. He is a specialist in LASIK and PRK laser eye surgery, having performed over 19,000 procedures, and has mentored many ophthalmic surgeons during their refractive surgery training.

    He graduated from the University of Mumbai, where he won the Pfizer Medical award and medallion for first place in the final MBBS examination. He then became a Registrar at Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals in Mumbai, subsequently completing three years of specialist ophthalmology training with an emphasis on cataract and glaucoma surgery.

    Dr Damani widened his experience as a specialist doctor for Colchester General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Southend University NHS Hospital. He gained further specialist training in refractive surgery and was awarded the Certificate in Refractive Surgery (CertLRS) from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and has conducted observations in oculoplasty at Moorfields. He has presented many peer-reviewed medical papers and posters for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS).

    Dr Damani is passionate about Indian classical music and loves to travel and explore different cultures and cuisines. He enjoys the process of training new surgeons.

  • Mr Dipak Parmar

    Mr Dipak Parmar completed his medical training at the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas's Hospitals in London. He completed his basic surgical training at King's College Hospital in neurosurgery and ophthalmology, after which he passed the FRCOphth examination to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He completed his higher surgical training in ophthalmology and a fellowship in uveitis and medical retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

    Mr Parmar completed an international clinical fellowship in cornea, external diseases and refractive surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, from 2003 to 2005. As a result of his training and research he has authored over 40 papers in peer-reviewed journals and has written 3 book chapters. He is one of the few eye surgeons in the UK to have undergone state-of-the-art training in refractive surgery in a prestigious clinical fellowship programme in the USA, and one of the first ophthalmology consultants in the UK to offer corneal collagen cross-linking treatment for keratoconus, in both private and NHS settings.

    He was awarded the CCST (Certificate of Completion of Surgical Training) and specialist registration under the General Medical Council in ophthalmology in 2003, and took up the post of consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust, London, in 2006. He moved on from the NHS in 2017 to further his career as an independent consultant ophthalmic surgeon based in London and Essex, and continues to perform high-volume cataract surgery for independent providers to the NHS on a biweekly basis. He regularly performs lens and laser based vision correction procedures in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

    Mr Parmar was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO) in September 2011. In 2023 he spent significant time working in busy private and public hospitals in rural south-west Australia, gaining a high volume of experience in general ophthalmology, cataract surgery, medical retina injections, and glaucoma including selective laser trabeculoplasty and iStent minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

    Mr Parmar has extensive surgical experience with over 15,000 eye surgeries completed to date, including over 10,000 cataract and lens surgeries and over 5,000 laser vision correction procedures.

Real patients, real reviews

What our patients say

  • Margaret Mc Clafferty

    I had LASIK done in Dublin after a consultation and follow up in Derry. From the very start, Elizabeth in Derry put me at ease with her approach. Such a warm, helpful way…

    Google Review
  • Shanna Blair

    Lianne is fabulous, great consultation lots of information and lovely to speak to

    Google Review
  • Ben Sheeran

    Fantastic staff. Lianne was really courteous and professional

    Google Review
  • Aline Bortolotti Secco

    I had a great LASIK experience at Optilase Carrickmines and couldn’t be happier with the results. Dr. Tom Materman is incredibly kind, attentive, and made me feel comfort…

    Google Review
  • Luke

    Very good experience throughout. Very helpful and friendly staff and a quick procedure done. Would recommend.

    Google Review
  • Carl Thorne

    Life changing. From the initial consultation to the aftercare, Optilase have been friendly, professional and caring every step of the way. No worry or concern was too sma…

    Google Review
  • Colm Smith

    Very happy with the operation, results and the aftercare

    Google Review
  • Thomas Mielimonka

    Fantastic experience through and through. Fred and the rest of Belfast team were a dream to work with. They explained everything, kept me well informed and honoured the …

    Google Review
  • Sarah Lennon

    Very nice staff. Very patient and accommodating. Made a nervous patient feel less so.

    Google Review
  • Gerard Mcphillips

    Very professional and appointments on time

    Google Review
  • D

    Great team, great experience. Anyone thinking about doing it, do it. Always on the end of the phone if there was any issues. Highly recommend!

    Google Review
  • Jason Farrell

    The entire process was smooth professional and completely stress free, I couldn't be happier with my outcome

    Google Review

LASIK questions answered

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often about LASIK at Optilase Eye Clinic.

  • LASIK is the most frequently performed laser procedure in the world. Your Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon prepares your eye for laser treatment by creating a small flap on the surface of the cornea (front surface of the eye) by using blade-free IntraLase technology. The laser is then applied to the underlying surface to reshape your cornea and correct for your prescription. Your Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon then places the flap back down and your eye begins to heal. The key benefits of the LASIK procedure are a rapid recovery time, usually within 48 hours and little or no post operative discomfort.

  • At Optilase, your safety is our No. 1 priority. We use the most advanced and safest laser technology and all of our Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons, Laser Optometrists, Laser Technicians and surgery nurses are highly experienced and fully accredited.

  • The laser vision correction process itself is painless as we use anaesthetic drops to numb your eyes. Depending on your treatment type. there can be some discomfort in the days following treatment, but this is generally temporary.

  • Both procedures have the same outcome/results. The only difference is the the actual procedure and aftercare. There is a slightly longer recovery in a PRK surgery.

  • Yes, many forms of astigmatism can be corrected with Laser Eye Surgery. The laser reshapes the cornea to improve the way light is focused, and astigmatism can often be treated alongside short-sightedness or long-sightedness.

    Suitability depends on the type and degree of astigmatism, your corneal measurements and overall eye health.

  • We use Advanced Wavefront IDesign technology for Laser Eye Surgery in the Republic of Ireland and Schwind Amaris technology in the North of Ireland.

  • Blurred or fluctuating vision can occur during early recovery. The amount and duration vary according to the procedure and how your eyes heal. Other temporary effects can include dryness, glare or halos.

    Your clinical team will explain what to expect and when you should contact them if symptoms do not improve as anticipated.

  • Everyone is different, but it can be completely normal to have bruising on one or both eyes after LASIK Laser Eye Surgery.

  • Laser Eye Surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea, but your eyes can continue to change naturally over time.

    Age-related changes to the natural lens, including the gradual loss of near focusing ability, can still occur even if your original laser correction remains stable. Some people may also experience changes in their prescription later in life.

  • In some cases further laser treatment may be possible if the prescription changes or an enhancement is clinically appropriate.

    Whether repeat treatment can be performed depends on factors such as your corneal measurements, eye health, previous procedure and current prescription. A new assessment is therefore required rather than assuming that further surgery will always be possible.

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