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LASIK

See the World as it’s Meant to be Seen

As seen in

Experience the freedom of clear vision with LASIK at Sandton Eye Clinic.

Advancements in refractive surgery have evolved rapidly, much like technology in cell phones and computers. With high-precision lasers, and advanced software, modern LASIK has dramatically improved. Today, the vast majority of patients achieve independent vision equal to or better than their previous vision with glasses or contact lenses.

Imagine running on the beach or enjoying water sports without the struggle of glasses or contact lenses. LASIK is designed to give you a life of visual freedom.

Illustration of an eye with myopia, showing light rays focusing in front of the retina instead of directly on it, causing distant objects to appear blurry.

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Difficulty seeing distant objects

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Difficulty seeing close objects

Illustration of an eye with astigmatism, showing light rays focusing at multiple points within the eye due to an irregularly shaped cornea, resulting in blurred or distorted vision.

Astigmatism

Blurry vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea

Presbyopia (Age-related vision changes)

Some presbyopic patients may benefit from PresbyLASIK

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LASIK vs Other Options for Age 18-40
Illustration of an eye undergoing a corneal topography scan before LASIK surgery, projecting a colour-coded map that shows the shape and thickness of the cornea.

1. Cornea is Measured & Mapped

  • Your ophthalmologist will measure corneal thickness and take a detailed scan of its surface.
  • These measurements program the computer-controlled laser for precise reshaping.

Illustration of an eye receiving numbing eye drops before LASIK surgery, preparing the patient for a comfortable and pain-free procedure.

2. Anaesthetic drops

  • Anaesthetic drops are applied to numb the eye and prevent discomfort.
  • A gentle eyelid holder prevents blinking during the procedure.

Illustration of a femtosecond laser creating a thin flap on the surface of the cornea during the LASIK procedure, shown as a precise beam targeting the eye.

3. Corneal flap is created

  • A suction ring is placed on the eye to stabilize movement.
  • A femtosecond laser creates millions of microscopic bubbles to gently separate corneal tissue.
  • You may feel pressure, similar to a finger pressing on your eyelid, and your vision may go dim or black temporarily.

Illustration of the corneal flap being gently lifted after laser creation during LASIK surgery, allowing access to the underlying corneal tissue for reshaping.

4. Flap is lifted

The laser-created flap is lifted and folded back, like opening a book.

Illustration showing an excimer laser precisely reshaping the underlying corneal tissue during LASIK surgery, after the flap has been lifted, to correct vision.

5. Laser Reshapes the Cornea

  • You will be asked to focus on a light to keep your eye steady.
  • A high-precision excimer laser reshapes the cornea using mathematical algorithms.
  • The laser removes microscopic amounts of tissue to correct your vision with extreme accuracy.

Illustration showing the corneal flap being gently repositioned after laser reshaping during LASIK surgery, completing the vision correction procedure.

6. Flap is positioned back in place

  • The flap is carefully placed back in position, where it naturally reattaches within minutes.
  • A transparent protective shield is placed over your eye.

Vision After LASIK

  • 90% of patients achieve vision between 20/20 and 20/40 without glasses or contact lenses.
  • LASIK does not prevent presbyopia (age-related near vision loss). Around age 40+, reading glasses may still be needed.
  • There are surgical options for presbyopia, including PresbyLASIK and Allotex Inlays.
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Illustration explaining how PresbyLASIK works by enhancing depth of field in both eyes—optimising the dominant eye for distance vision, the non-dominant eye for near vision, and creating an overlap zone in the middle for seamless visual focus at various distances.

Presbyopia is an unavoidable part of aging and most people over 40 need reading glasses, bifocals, or multifocal lenses for daily tasks like reading or using a smartphone. PresbyLASIK, an advanced form of laser vision correction, has been developed to help reduce dependence on reading glasses by creating a blended vision effect.

How PresbyLASIK Works

PresbyLASIK, also known as blended laser vision correction, reshapes the cornea (the eye’s clear front layer) to correct refractive errors while extending the depth of focus. Unlike traditional monovision, which assigns one eye for near vision and the other for distance, PresbyLASIK creates a seamless transition across all distances.

To maximize the benefits of this extended focus, each eye is treated with a slightly different focal point—one optimized for near vision and the other for distance. However, there is a large overlap between the two eyes in the intermediate range, allowing for continuous, natural vision without abrupt focal shifts.

Why Choose PresbyLASIK Over Traditional Options?

✔ Seamless vision – Provides a smooth, continuous depth of focus rather than fixed focal points
✔ Minimally invasive – Unlike lens exchange surgery, no incisions are made inside the eye
✔ High success rate – Between 95-98% of patients can read normal newsprint, and 80-96% can read fine print, such as medicine bottle inserts, without glasses

Compare PresbyLASIK to Other Options
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To qualify for LASIK, you should:

  • Be 18 to about 55 years
  • Have healthy corneas with sufficient thickness
  • Be free from severe dry eye or corneal disease

You may not be a candidate if you have:

  • An unstable prescription or Keratoconus
  • Extreme myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism
  • Severe dry eye syndrome
  • Corneas that are too thin
  • Advanced glaucoma
  • A history of eye infections
  • Poorly controlled diabetes
  • Are pregnant or nursing

Not sure if LASIK is right for you? Take our free online self-test or book a consultation.

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If LASIK isn’t right for you, there are alternative refractive procedures available:

Your ophthalmologist will recommend the best option based on your eye health and vision goals.

Compare Options Age 18-40
Compare Options Age 40-55
Compare Options Age 55 & Older

What’s Included?

  • Pre-surgery assessment & scans
  • LASIK procedure
  • Complimentary follow-ups for 6 weeks
  • Post-op care and guidance
  • Financing Options Available
Enquire on LASIK Costs
Enquire on PresbyLASIK costs

Why Choose Sandton Eye Clinic for LASIK?

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Pricing Options

LASIK FAQs

Everything you need to know about LASIK and laser vision correction.

LASIK & LONGEVITY

LASIK is a permanent procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct vision. It does not wear off over time, and most patients enjoy long-term clear vision.

However, as part of the natural aging process, vision changes may still occur:

  • Around age 45, presbyopia (difficulty seeing up close) develops, affecting everyone, whether they had LASIK or not. If reading glasses become necessary, PresbyLASIK can help restore near vision.
  • By age 60-65, many people develop cataracts, affecting vision clarity. At this stage, cataract surgery with premium multifocal lenses can restore both near and distance vision.

Yes, LASIK or PRK enhancement can often be performed if your vision has changed, provided your cornea is thick enough.

For patients over 40, near vision changes are usually due to presbyopia, meaning PresbyLASIK or blended vision treatments may be a better solution than repeating LASIK.

SAFETY & RISKS

Selecting the right LASIK surgeon is one of the most important steps in your vision correction journey. Just as luxury watchmaking requires a combination of precision, expertise, and craftsmanship, LASIK surgery demands skill, experience, and meticulous attention to detail.

A true refractive surgeon does more than perform a procedure—they enhance lives by helping patients achieve clear, unaided vision. Their expertise is not a luxury but a necessity.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a LASIK Surgeon:
  • Experience & Training – Look for a surgeon with specialized training in refractive surgery and extensive experience performing thousands of LASIK procedures.
  • Technology & Techniques – Ensure they use advanced laser systems for precision and safety.
  • Success Record – Ask about their visual outcome statistics and patient satisfaction rates.
  • Patient Reviews & Testimonials – Read about real patient experiences to gain insight into their care and results.
  • Personalized Approach – A great surgeon takes the time to evaluate your unique vision needs and discuss the best options for you.
Read more about Dr. Lourens Coetzee here.
Speak to a vision correction consultant: 011 784 7000

No, most patients agree that LASIK is a pain-free procedure. Numbing eye drops ensure comfort. You will also receive a mild sedating tablet to calm your nerves.

✔ Mild pressure may be felt during corneal flap creation.
✔ You will be asked to focus on a light while the laser reshapes the cornea.
✔ After surgery, your eyes may be light-sensitive and feel scratchy for 6-8 hours.

Yes, LASIK is one of the safest and most studied procedures worldwide.

✔ Over 20 million procedures performed globally.
✔ 99% success rate with significantly improved vision.
✔ Less than 0.3% risk of serious complications.
✔ Lower risk than long-term contact lens wear, which increases the chance of infections.

If needed, Sandton Eye Clinic offers free enhancements within the first year.

Temporary dry eyes are common after LASIK due to temporary nerve sensitivity changes.

✔ Dryness peaks at 6-7 weeks but is managed with lubricating eye drops.
✔ Most patients experience full recovery within 3 months.
✔ Long-term, LASIK patients often experience less dry eye discomfort than contact lens users.

First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge that glasses remain the safest option for vision correction, as they do not involve any medical procedure. However, if you are already a contact lens wearer, it means you prefer the convenience of unaided vision, making this comparison relevant to you.

How Does LASIK Compare to Contact Lenses?

A large-scale study tracking 1,800 patients over three years compared the effects of LASIK vs. long-term contact lens use. The results showed:

  • Better Night Vision – Patients who had LASIK reported fewer night vision symptoms such as glare and halos while driving at night compared to contact lens users.
  • Less Dry Eye Discomfort – While temporary dryness can occur after LASIK, long-term contact lens users had a higher prevalence of chronic dry eye symptoms.
  • Lower Risk of Infection – The risk of a sight-threatening corneal infection is 10 times higher in long-term contact lens users compared to LASIK patients.
  • Higher Satisfaction Rates – 99% of patients who underwent LASIK agreed that it worked better for them than contact lenses in terms of convenience, comfort, and vision quality.

While both options carry risks, LASIK is a one-time, controlled procedure with a very low complication rate, whereas contact lenses require daily maintenance and increase the risk of long-term infections. If you’re considering a lifestyle without glasses, LASIK may be the safer and more convenient long-term choice.

PROCEDURE & CANDIDACY

  • Myopia (Nearsightedness) – Blurred distance vision.
  • Hyperopia (Farsightedness) – Blurred near vision.
  • Astigmatism – Distorted vision at all distances.
  • Presbyopia – Age-related near vision loss (treated with PresbyLASIK).

In most cases, both eyes require correction and are treated during the same session to ensure balanced vision and faster recovery.

However, there are specific situations where single-eye LASIK may be the best or only option:

Perfect Vision in One Eye – If one eye has no refractive error, there’s no need for treatment.

Different Eye Conditions – If the other eye has a condition that LASIK cannot correct, such as advanced retinal disease, previous trauma, or if it is non-seeing (blind).

Presbyopia Correction Only – If your distance vision is normal and you’re only seeking near vision improvement, it’s sometimes beneficial to perform LASIK on just the non-dominant eye to reduce dependence on reading glasses (a technique called monovision or blended vision).

Staged Treatments – In rare cases, your surgeon may recommend treating one eye first to observe healing or visual adaptation before proceeding with the second eye.

📌 Your ophthalmologist will guide this decision based on your lifestyle, prescription, and long-term vision goals. Each eye is unique—and so is your treatment plan.

Alternative options for 18- 40 years of age include:
Compare Options Age 18-40
Alternative options for 40- 55 years of age include:
Compare Options Age 40-55
Alternative options for 55 and older include:
Compare Options Age 55 & Older

Pregnancy does not cause permanent changes to your cornea, and it does not reverse LASIK. Hormones during pregnancy causes temporary changes in the cornea which may influence your vision whether you had LASIK or not.

A few months after delivering your baby your vision should return to normal. You can have LASIK before you get pregnant and a few months after pregnancy and breastfeeding but not during pregnancy.

Keratoconus:
  • Not recommended

Alt treatments:

Corneal cross-linking, CAIRS, Corneal transplant, specialty lenses

Corneal scarring:
  • Not ideal

Alt treatments:

PTK laser treatment, corneal transplant

Glaucoma:
  • If well controlled

Alt treatments:

LASIK will not restore vision lost from glaucoma

Cataracts:
  • Not recommended

Alt treatments:

Cataract surgery with multifocal lenses

Retinal disease:
  • Possibly

Alt treatments:

LASIK won’t improve vision lost due to retinal disease

Autoimmune diseases (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.) :
  • May be higher risk

Alt treatments:

Case-by-case assessment

Diabetes:
  • If well controlled

Alt treatments:

Diabetic patients need additional screening

History of Herpes Eye Disease:
  • If no symptoms for 1+ years

Alt treatments:

Antiviral medication may be needed before surgery

Note: If you have a previous serious eye injury, consult our specialists for a personalized evaluation.

Yes, but your eyes will be numbed, and you won’t feel pain. A mild sedative can be provided to help you relax.

At Sandton Eye Clinic, we use the latest advanced laser technology to ensure precision, safety, and optimal visual outcomes. Our LASIK procedure involves two state-of-the-art lasers:

✔ Femtosecond Laser – Ziemer Z6: Used to create a precise, ultra-thin corneal flap with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue, enhancing safety and recovery.

✔ Excimer Laser – Schwind Amaris 1050: A 7D eye-tracking laser system that reshapes the cornea.

  • Extreme precision for highly customized vision correction.
  • Fast laser pulse rates, ensuring a smooth, comfortable treatment.
  • 7D tracking system that compensates for even the smallest eye movements, minimizing the risk of over- or under-correction.

The best time to get LASIK is now! The sooner you undergo laser vision correction, the more years you’ll have to enjoy clear, hassle-free vision. Additionally, younger eyes tend to heal and stabilize faster, leading to a smoother recovery and optimal long-term results.

Ideal Ages for LASIK:

If you are content with wearing glasses LASIK may not be for you. Many patients reach a tipping point when they realize glasses or contact lenses no longer suit their lifestyle.

Some common reasons people finally decide to get LASIK include:
✔ Losing or breaking their glasses—again!
✔ Frustration with contact lens discomfort or infections.
✔ Preparing for an adventure holiday and wanting visual freedom.

Whether you’re tired of glasses, frustrated with contacts, or simply ready for a change, LASIK can transform your vision and enhance your daily life.

POST-PROCEDURE & RECOVERY

  • First 24 hours: Expect watery, scratchy sensations—rest your eyes.
  • Next day: Most patients can return to work and normal activities.
  • 1 week: Vision stabilizes further.
  • 6 weeks- 3 months: Full healing occurs.
  • Avoid swimming and high-impact activities for 4 weeks.
  • Face makeup: After 24 hours.
  • Eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow): Wait 2 weeks to avoid infections.

Yes, but use lubricating eye drops to prevent dryness on flights.

LOGISTICS & APPOINTMENTS

Yes, as your eyes will be dilated, causing temporary blurry vision and light sensitivity.

No, as procedure planning requires additional scans and tests before scheduling surgery.

Yes! Follow-ups are essential to:
✔ Ensure proper healing.
✔ Detect and treat side effects early.
✔ Adjust treatment if needed.

COST & FINANCING

Most medical aids do not cover LASIK, as it’s considered an elective procedure.

Some plans may cover pre-surgery tests from your day-to-day benefits.

Enquire about Medical Aid Options

Yes! We offer financing through MediWallet:

✔ Get pre-approved – Send your ID & 3 months’ bank statements.
✔ First 3 months interest-free.
✔ Flexible repayment terms.

📌 Visit www.mediwallet.co.za for details.

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We’re here to guide you toward clearer vision and a life free from glasses.

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