WHAT IS LASER EYE SURGERY AND WHICH LASER PROCEDURE IS RIGHT FOR MY EYES?
Many people are surprised to learn that there is more than one type of laser eye surgery. Medownick Laser Clinic is the only clinic in Victoria to specialise in all three of the following advanced laser eye procedures:
- SmartSight laser eye surgery
- Femto-LASIK laser eye surgery
- Touchless Robotic (Trans-PRK) laser eye surgery
Each of these procedures is capable of giving you excellent visual outcomes so that you can see without glasses - the vast majority of our patients achieve 20/20 vision or even better. But each laser procedure may be best to treat different refractive errors in your eyes, involve different techniques, and involve a different average journey to full recovery.
Scroll to read more about the different laser eye procedures.
When you are ready to find out which option is best for you, we invite you to come into our clinic for a free examination of your eyes and vision. We will support and guide you through the process of deciding what is best for you, and there is absolutely no obligation to go ahead with any procedure.
SMARTSIGHT LASER
Medownick Laser Clinic is the only clinic in Victoria to offer the SmartSight procedure, the most recent evolution of laser eye surgery in the world.
SmartSight is a minimally-invasive, keyhole surgery that corrects a patient’s vision quickly and comfortably. Recovery from SmartSight is very fast, with the majority of patients achieving 20/20 vision the next day.
SmartSight Laser at a glance
What it does | Who is eligible | Actual laser time
Gentle pulses of light create a thin layer of tissue, called a lenticule, in the cornea. Through a micro-incision, the surgeon removes the lenticule, and this reshapes the eye to improve vision | Suitable patients with myopia (short-sighted) and astigmatism | Approximately 20-60 seconds, depending on your eyes
How it works
Watch the video to find out how SmartSight can help you see naturally: SmartSight video
LASIK
Still the world’s best-known and most popular laser eye surgery procedure, LASIK using our state-of-the-art technology has a definite “wow-factor,” and can have most patients seeing with 20/20 vision (or even better) on the same day.
In 2023, Medownick invested in a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser known as the Schwind ATOS, which, combined with our special-edition Schwind AMARIS laser, ensures superior safety and outcomes when performing LASIK eye surgery, through intelligent eye-tracking and cyclotorsion compensation.
This next-generation technology makes it possible to perform precise and accurate LASIK treatment, and is able to correct a broad range of errors, even in high astigmatism. It is also more comfortable for the patient than older LASIK procedures.
LASIK eye surgery at Medownick can give you crisp, clear vision with almost no down-time, and set you free to enjoy life without glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK at a glance
What it does | Who is eligible | Actual laser time
Gentle pulses of light are used to create a “flap” which is lifted, the laser then gently reshapes the tissue underneath to improve vision. Once finished, the surgeon repositions the flap, which is self-sealing and heals within hours. | Suitable patients with myopia (short-sighted), hypermetropia (long-sighted), and astigmatism (blurred vision) | Approximately 20-60 seconds, depending on your eyes
How it works
Watch the video to find out how LASIK can help you see naturally: Femto-LASIK video
TRANS-PRK (TOUCHLESS ROBOTIC) LASER
Medownick uses a state-of-the-art excimer laser to perform “Touchless Robotic” Trans-PRK surgery, sometimes known as “Flapless LASIK,” which is capable of taking the human eye beyond 20/20 vision.
Touchless Robotic is an advanced, next-generation version of “Trans-PRK” laser eye surgery. It is “next generation” because it is non-invasive and stress-free for the patient, gently correcting vision from the surface without suction, flap, incision, or the use of alcohol. Once you have healed, there will be no vulnerability or evidence that the surgery ever happened.
Touchless Robotic can only be performed using a specific, advanced type of excimer laser, and Medownick Laser Clinic is privileged to have one of the few lasers of this type in Australia. Because of this, our surgeons are among a very small number with the technique and experience to perform this procedure.
For our patients, the proof is in the outcomes. They gain the absolute best possible natural vision for their eyes, without any cutting or injections.
Touchless Robotic Trans-PRK at a glance
What it does | Who is eligible | Actual laser time
Gentle pulses of light sculpt the cornea at the front of the eye to reshape it and refract light in different ways, to improve vision | Suitable patients with myopia (short-sighted), hypermetropia (long-sighted), and astigmatism (blurred vision) | Approximately 20-60 seconds, depending on your eyes
How It Works
Watch the video to find out how Trans-PRK can help you see naturally: Touchless Robotic (Trans-PRK) video
OTHER LASER EYE SURGERIES
Why we prefer SmartSight to SMILE™
SmartSight is a new technology that performs a similar type of laser eye surgery to SMILE™.
Our surgeons prefer SmartSight because it is a minimally-invasive procedure capable of giving the vast majority of patients 20/20 or better vision within one to two days. The SmartSight laser technology we use is the only technology to utilise cyclotorsion tracking and the automatic centration of the pupil. This enables the laser to follow the minute movements of the eye in all directions, minimising any chance of human error, and ensuring pinpoint accuracy.
* SmartSight is the first femtosecond laser to utilise AI rotational eye-tracking technology for extremely accurate vision correction
* SmartSight has been purpose-engineered with an advanced algorithm to improve the lenticular geometry, which means it is capable of achieving excellent visual results while removing the minimum amount of tissue from the eye
* Medownick is the only laser eye clinic in Victoria capable of performing SmartSight
Ultimately, SmartSight can offer the advantages of keyhole “flapless” surgery, fast healing, and tear-film recovery. Due to SmartSight technology’s intelligent eye-tracking and pupil recognition, the vast majority of our patients achieve 20/20 vision within 24 hours, and enjoy excellent visual results when treating myopia and astigmatism.
SmartSight can only be performed using the German-engineered Schwind ATOS Femtosecond Laser, and Medownick Laser Clinic is the only clinic in Victoria to invest in this advanced laser. Click here to learn more about SmartSight (and the benefits to your eye-health and vision-outcomes) from the surgeons and doctors who developed it.
Advanced “ASLA” PRK
In a small number of cases, if a patient’s eyes are unsuitable for SmartSight, LASIK and Touchless Robotic Trans-PRK, we may perform a different version of PRK surgery, known as ASLA or Advanced PRK. This procedure uses the same state-of-the-art Schwind AMARIS excimer laser, still involves no cutting, and still achieves excellent results.
However, it is not “Touchless Robotic”. Instead, the surgeon gently removes a surface layer of the eyes, then the laser directs cool, ultraviolet light to reshape the cornea.
Mono-vision
Mono Vision is a form of laser eye surgery in which one eye is corrected for close-up vision, and the other for distance, and the brain learns to merge the two. It can be achieved via SmartSight, LASIK, Trans-PRK or ASLA PRK procedures, depending on patient suitability.
Mono Vision is not a solution for all patients, so we can talk with you about your suitability when you come in for your free assessment.
Laser eye surgery has revolutionised vision correction, providing an array of treatments to address various refractive errors. At Medownick Laser Eye Clinic, we offer several types of laser eye surgery to cater to different needs. This guide will help you understand the various procedures available and how they can help you achieve clearer vision.
What Are the Types of Laser Eye Surgery?
Understanding the types of laser eye surgery is crucial for choosing the right treatment for your vision correction needs. Here are some of the most common procedures offered at Medownick Laser Eye Clinic:
LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is one of the most popular laser vision correction procedures. It involves creating a thin flap in the cornea, and reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. The flap is then repositioned, allowing for a quick recovery and minimal discomfort.
SmartSight Eye Surgery
SmartSight eye surgery (more generally known as Laser-Assisted Lenticule Extraction, or LALEX, surgery) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct myopia and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, Smartsight does not require the creation of a corneal flap. Instead, a micro-incision is made, and a tiny piece of corneal tissue (a lenticule) is removed to reshape the cornea.
Touchless Robotic Trans PRK (Trans-Photorefractive Keratectomy)
Touchless Robotic Trans-PRK is an advanced, effective type of laser eye surgery that can be used to correct myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, Trans-PRK does not involve creating a corneal flap. In fact, it is called “touchless” because no instrumentation needs to touch the eye. Using soft, cool light, the laser gently removes the surface layer of the cornea (the epithelium), and reshapes the tissue underneath.. The epithelium regenerates over a few days. Trans-PRK is a good option for patients with thin corneas or those involved in contact sports.
Types of Laser Vision Correction
Laser vision correction encompasses various procedures designed to improve vision and reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Here are the main types of laser vision correction:
Wavefront-Guided LASIK
Wavefront-guided LASIK is an advanced form of LASIK that uses detailed measurements of the way the light travels through the eye to create a personalised treatment plan. This technique can correct higher-order aberrations that standard LASIK cannot address, resulting in sharper vision and better night vision.
Topography-Guided LASIK
Topography-guided LASIK uses detailed maps of the cornea to guide the laser treatment. This method corrects irregularities in the cornea's shape, providing more precise vision correction. It is particularly beneficial for patients with irregular corneas or those who have had previous eye surgeries.
Eye Laser Types
Understanding the different eye laser types used in these procedures can help you appreciate the technology behind laser vision correction:
Excimer Laser
The excimer laser is commonly used in LASIK, Trans-PRK and PRK procedures. It reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue with high precision. The excimer laser is known for its accuracy and ability to produce predictable results.
Femtosecond Laser
The femtosecond laser is used to perform our advanced, minimally-invasive SmartSight laser eye surgery, and in creating the corneal flap during LASIK surgery. It produces rapid pulses of light to create precise incisions in the cornea. This laser allows for a bladeless LASIK procedure, reducing the risk of complications and enhancing recovery.
Types of Eye Laser Treatment
Different types of eye laser treatments are available to correct specific vision issues. Here’s a look at some of these treatments:
Astigmatism Correction
Laser treatments like SmartSight, LASIK and Trans-PRK can effectively correct astigmatism by reshaping the cornea to create a more symmetrical surface. This correction reduces blurred vision and enhances overall clarity.
Presbyopia Treatment
Presbyopia, the age-related difficulty in focusing on close objects, can sometimes be addressed with specific laser treatments. Procedures like monovision laser correct one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision, providing a balanced solution for presbyopia.
ICL Implants
For patients who are not suitable candidates for laser eye surgery, the ICL eye operation (Implantable Collamer Lens) offers an excellent alternative. This procedure involves implanting a contact lens inside the eye, between the iris and the natural lens. It provides clear vision without altering the cornea's shape and is reversible if necessary.
Choosing the Right Types of Laser Vision Correction
Selecting the right type of laser eye surgery depends on various factors, including your vision needs, corneal thickness, and lifestyle. At Medownick Laser Eye Clinic, our experienced team will conduct a thorough eye examination and discuss your options to help you make an informed decision.
The laser eye surgery in Melbourne prices can vary depending on the procedure, technology used, and individual patient needs. At Medownick Laser Eye Clinic, we offer transparent pricing and flexible payment plans to make laser eye surgery accessible to everyone.
Explore the Types Of Laser Vision Correction With Medownick
If you’re ready to explore the different types of laser vision correction and find out which one is right for you, schedule a consultation with Medownick Laser Eye Clinic today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to assist you every step of the way. Discover the benefits of laser eye surgery and see the world more clearly.