FAQ – Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions for Our Treatments

It is a big decision to have eye surgery – and it requires absolute trust in the surgeon and processes. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions.

Are there any risks associated with eye surgery?

There are risks associated with all eye surgeries. Fortunately, complications are extremely rare in modern eye treatment when performed by experienced and competent surgeons. You will be thoroughly informed about the course of treatment and the risks during the pre-examination.

Does the treatment hurt?

Local anesthetic eye drops ensure that you will not experience pain during the treatment. You will feel a sting at the eye drip and a light pressure on the eye during the treatment itself.

How long does the treatment take?

The actual laser treatment takes approx. 30 sec. and is painless. The experienced eye laser surgeon will instruct you on what to do during the treatment. The most important thing is to lie still, remember to breathe and keep your eye calm, which is facilitated by the local anesthetic eye drops. On the day of the treatment itself, you should expect that the visit to Copenhagen Eye Centre (Øjenlægernes Center) will take just under an hour in total. Lens surgery typically takes less than 15 minutes per eye, and here you should expect the entire treatment to take a little over an hour.

Do I need glasses after the treatment?

Normally, patients will be able to do without glasses/contact lenses after the treatment – however, it depends on age and the type of vision defect to be treated. You will receive personal information during the preliminary examination and/or during a conversation with a surgeon.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Risks of the laser treatments are minimal, but not zero. The laser surgeon has not yet experienced complications that have not been manageable. Likewise, risks of modern and competent lens surgery are also low. We follow the very few special and complicated cases very closely to ensure an optimal end result. To minimize risks, it is important that you follow our instructions carefully in connection with the treatment.

What is the healing time?

Since the intervention on the cornea is minimal in the SMILE treatment and predominantly done under the upper eyelids, the healing is faster with this technique compared to older alternatives. Already after a few days, the cornea is very stable (see Patient Reports) – but we recommend that you do not participate in significant physical activity the first week. After two weeks, one can participate in most forms of physical activity. After our lens surgery, you must also take it easy for the first few weeks after the treatment.

When can I see clearly?

Immediately after the treatment, the vision is foggy/hazy. The “haze” eases over the following days – and the vision gradually becomes increasingly stable over the following weeks/months. “Patience” is an important virtue after the treatment, it takes some time before the “eye” has completely adjusted to the new conditions.

Can I drive home?

You cannot drive home from the treatment yourself, as the vision is “hazy” immediately after the treatment. You should also expect to have a “driver” for the check-up the day after the treatment.

Do you also offer lens replacements?

We also offer advanced lens surgery at the highest level. We work with Denmark’s leading ophthalmologists/optometrists in laser treatment and lens surgery.

If you want vision correction treatment and are between 45 and 50 years old, we usually recommend lens surgery rather than laser treatment.

At the age of 45-50, it becomes more difficult to see at close range. This is called presbyopia or age-related vision loss. The reason is that, over time, the lens of the eye becomes less flexible and cannot adapt to different distances to the same extent as before. This means that laser treatment will not make you as free of glasses as lens surgery.

After cataract surgery - can anything be done?

We can use lasers to correct vision problems that happen after cataract surgery, and laser surgery is a really important part of serious lens surgery.