A word from Mr Harry Roberts
Is laser eye surgery right for me?
“Laser eye surgery works by reshaping the cornea — the clear window at the front of the eye. The cornea is my specialist area, and that shapes how I approach every refractive assessment.”
“My aim isn’t to fit you to one procedure. Some patients are ideally suited to LASIK. Some are better served by surface laser — PRK or LASEK. And some would be better off with an implantable lens or lens-based surgery rather than laser at all.
Because I perform all of these, my recommendation is based on what is right for your eyes, not on what a clinic happens to offer.”
Consultant-led, start to finish
You see Mr Roberts at your assessment, on the day of treatment and at every follow-up. No rotating surgeons, no sales advisers.
Every option on the table
Laser vision correction, ICL surgery and refractive lens exchange are all considered at the same assessment.
Detailed corneal assessment
Biometry, OCT scanning and corneal topography map the shape, curvature and thickness of your cornea before anything is recommended.
Honest, no-pressure advice
If laser eye surgery isn’t the safest or most suitable choice for you, you will be told so plainly.
What is laser eye surgery?
What can it correct?
Laser eye surgery — also called laser vision correction or laser refractive surgery — uses an excimer laser to precisely reshape the cornea. Changing its curvature changes how light is focused onto the retina, correcting your prescription and reducing your need for glasses or contact lenses.
There are two main approaches. Surface laser treatments (PRK and LASEK) treat the cornea from its surface. LASIK treats the cornea beneath a thin flap. Both use the same laser to correct the prescription — the difference is how the surgeon reaches the tissue, and that affects recovery, comfort and which eyes each technique suits.
Short-sightedness
Myopia
Astigmatism
Irregular corneal curvature
Long-sightedness
Hyperopia / hypermetropia
Combinations
Of the above
The aim is to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. No refractive procedure can guarantee you will never need glasses again, and the eye continues to age naturally after treatment.
No flap · Surface ablation
Surface laser eye surgery: PRK and LASEK
PRK and LASEK are forms of surface laser treatment. Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is created. Instead, the thin layer of cells covering the front of the cornea — the epithelium — is gently moved or removed. The laser then reshapes the cornea beneath, and the epithelium heals back over the treated area during the following days.
What is PRK?
Photorefractive keratectomy was the first form of laser eye surgery and remains highly effective. The epithelium over the treatment zone is removed, the laser reshapes the cornea, and a protective contact lens is placed on the eye while the surface heals.
What is LASEK?
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy is a variation of surface treatment in which the epithelium is loosened, traditionally with a dilute alcohol solution, and moved aside before the laser treatment.
PRK vs LASEK
The difference is how the epithelium is handled before the laser is applied. In practice they share the same aims, a similar recovery and comparable results. The technique best suited to you will be discussed at your consultation.
The advantages of PRK and LASEK
What can it correct?
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No corneal flap. More of the cornea’s natural structure is preserved, with no flap that could be displaced in future.
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Suitable for some thinner corneas, where thickness or shape makes LASIK less attractive.
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Well suited to active lifestyles — contact and combat sports, or work with a risk of eye injury such as the armed forces, police and emergency services.
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Excellent long-term results in appropriately selected patients.
The trade-off is recovery: the eye is typically sore, gritty, watery and light-sensitive for the first few days, and vision improves gradually rather than overnight.
LASIK — laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis — creates a very thin flap in the front of the cornea. The flap is lifted, the laser reshapes the tissue beneath, and the flap is laid back into position, where it bonds naturally.
Its main advantage is speed. Many patients notice a substantial improvement within the first day or two, with less discomfort than after surface treatment. That makes LASIK an attractive option for many people — but it is not automatically the best procedure for every eye.
Frequently asked questions
Get in Touch
Harry Roberts Private Practice is dedicated to providing you with the best ophthalmology care possible. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.