Our mission is to make laser vision correction accessible to all.
CEMO is committed to meeting and exceeding surgical safety standards.
CEMO offers you:
The safety profile of laser surgery has greatly improved in the last 10 years with the appearance of new instruments, laser technologies that allow larger and more regular ablation zones, and improved eye movement tracking systems.
Today, surgery is performed in optimal conditions. Ask us for a free pre-operative test.
During your pre-operative consultation, you will meet with ophthalmologists who will perform a complete evaluation of your vision and eye health. They will be able to determine if you are a candidate for laser refractive surgery.
If you are eligible, they will suggest the type of correction best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Our surgeons are committed to answering all your questions to help you make an informed decision.
You will be asked to arrive at your scheduled surgery time. Although the procedure is short, plan to stay at the clinic for about 45 minutes.
Before your surgery, you will be asked to carefully read and sign a consent form, and it is important to note any questions or concerns that may remain after reading it so that they can be discussed with the ophthalmologist before the procedure.
Like any procedure, laser surgery carries a certain risk of complication.
By definition, a complication is an unpredictable event that can result in a temporary or permanent decrease in the quality of vision that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses.
The decrease is generally limited to one line on the eye test chart, or more rarely, to two lines. The likelihood of having a complication leading to a loss of vision quality is very low.
These complications can be of different types:
Most surgeons will probably never encounter this situation in their entire careers. Most complications in laser surgery can be corrected so that no significant symptoms persist in the long term. With modern laser surgery techniques, it is estimated that the touch-up rate is approximately: 1% per diopter of myopia to be corrected; 10% per diopter of hyperopia to be corrected and 5 to 10% per diopter of astigmatism to be corrected.
For example, if you are -4.00 D myopic you have a 4% chance of needing a touch-up. If you are +3.00 D hypermyopic, there is a 30% chance of needing a second procedure. If you have a degree of astigmatism of -2.00 D, your probability of needing a touch-up is 20%.
People who have realistic expectations of what their vision will be like after laser correction and those who understand the risks and potential side effects of laser surgery are generally the most satisfied with their surgery.
This short questionnaire can help you determine if you are ready for laser surgery: Do you have a strong desire to no longer wear glasses? Do your glasses and/or contact lenses interfere with your work, sports or daily activities? Do you understand that refractive surgery requires regular follow-up visits? Will you have time to attend these post-operative visits? Do you understand that the results of laser surgery cannot be guaranteed 100%? Do you understand that you may have to wear glasses after surgery, for certain tasks, under certain circumstances? Do you understand that you may need a second surgery to enhance the result of the first surgery, if deemed necessary and safe by the ophthalmologist? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you are encouraged to discuss the surgery and your expectations further with your ophthalmologist.
YOUR SAFETY, OUR PRIORITY The safety profile of laser surgery has greatly improved in the last 10 years due to new instruments, laser technologies that allow for larger and more regular ablation zones, and improved eye tracking systems.
CEMO is committed to meeting and exceeding surgical safety standards. CEMO offers you: A qualified team of ophthalmologists, nurses and technicians; A humidity and temperature-controlled environment to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the laser beam; Products that meet high standards of effectiveness and safety; Diagnostic and surgical instruments that optimize the refractive result of the surgery;
SCHWIND’s AMARIS 750S and 1050S lasers for ultra-fast personalized ablation while respecting the natural curvature of the cornea for optimal postoperative vision;
A peaceful and comfortable environment.
Hopefully, your fear of a complication will not prevent you from enjoying the benefits of glasses-free vision! Think of surgery as driving a car. We are all aware that there is a very small chance of being involved in an accident, but that doesn’t stop us from using our vehicle every day to go about our business… Simply because it is convenient!
The excimer laser can correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. In LASIK, a thin flap of the cornea is first created with an automated microkeratome or with the femtosecond laser to expose the deeper layers. In surface ablation (TRANS-PKR, LASEK), the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed with an alcohol-based substance or by laser.
Dear Sir or Madam,
You have a refractive error that your ophthalmologist proposes to treat with laser refractive surgery. This sheet contains information on the proposed operation, its results and its risks.
In a normal eye, the path of light rays is modified by the cornea and the lens to allow it to converge on the retina. The myopic eye is too long, so the light rays converge in front of the retina. The hyperopic eye is too short, so the light rays converge behind the retina. The astigmatic eye has corneal curvature anomalies that create distortions of the retinal image at all distances. The presbyopic eye does not clearly distinguish nearby objects.
Laser surgery consists of modifying the shape of the cornea, which allows the path of the light rays to be changed. It is used to correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.
The operation is performed while the patient is lying on his or her back in a surgical environment. Hospitalization: the operation does not require hospitalization. Anesthesia: the operation is performed under local anesthesia by instillation of eye drops.Surgical technique: different laser surgical techniques can be used. The most suitable method for your particular case will be chosen together with your surgeon. We distinguish:
After removal of the surface layer (if necessary), laser impacts are applied to the surface of the cornea. At the end of the procedure, a therapeutic lens or a bandage is put in place. This technique has been practiced since the 1990’s. It can now be combined in some cases with pharmacological or physical treatments.
In this method, the laser is applied in the thickness of the cornea after surgical cutting of a flap of corneal tissue which is put back in place at the end of the procedure. Lasik surgery has been practiced since the 1990s.
This laser can incise the interior of the cornea or dissect a small portion of it which is extracted through an incision. These techniques have been developed since the end of the 2000s.
They are rare and unpredictable. The cut of the corneal flap may be imperfect, which may alter the shape and/or transparency of the cornea.
It depends on the surgical technique used.
In the vast majority of cases, the treated eye is painful for about three days. The recovery of vision is progresses rapidly from the first week. Local care is reduced to the instillation of drops combined with the possible taking of pain pills. Your surgeon will tell you how and for how long you can wear the therapeutic lens.
In the vast majority of cases, the treated eye is not painful. Recovery of sight is very rapid. Local care is reduced to the instillation of drops. After any excimer laser photoablation surgery, the wearing of ultraviolet filtering glasses is recommended for about two months in case of sun exposure. The regulations concerning the visual abilities of the professions are continuously modified. It is therefore essential that you check with the relevant authorities yourself whether a refractive surgery procedure is accepted (army, police, gendarmerie, fire department, Swiss Railways, air or road transport, etc.).
The desired result can never be guaranteed because it depends on the healing process. Additional correction by glasses, contact lenses or by re-intervention is sometimes necessary. This operation does not escape the general rule that there is no surgery without risk. Severe complications are very rare, but they may require another operation and lead to a reduction in visual acuity, even with correction, or even in the most extreme cases to loss of vision. These complications are: infection or inflammation, abnormal healing that can lead to opacification of the cornea, deformation of the cornea (ectasia) responsible for irregular astigmatism, an abnormality in the creation of the flap or a secondary displacement of the corneal flap performed during Lasik. Early surgical resetting may be necessary. Other less severe consequences may occur, including: a perception of light halos, dry eyes that usually improve in the first few months, a tendency to glare, night vision problems, double vision, image distortion, and drooping of the upper eyelid. Your ophthalmologist is available to answer any additional questions you may have. You will be asked to sign this document, a copy of which will be kept by your doctor. The costs of any touch-ups or consultations performed outside the CEMO for reasons of proximity, emergency, etc., will not be reimbursed under any circumstances. There will be no coverage by the basic insurance, nor will a notice of medical leave be issued.
Read this document carefully before signing. By consenting to corneal laser refractive surgery, I acknowledge that I understand the following information: The purpose of the surgery is to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by altering the curvature of the cornea. This treatment has been available since 1985 and consists of the removal of a thin layer of the cornea by using the Excimer laser. I understand that there are other alternatives to correct my visual defect, including glasses and contact lenses. However, I have chosen to have my vision corrected by laser. There are two main techniques for exposing the corneal surface: My ophthalmologist was careful to determine and explain the most appropriate technique for my condition. Upon completion of treatment, I may have a contact lens or bandage on my eye; I may have to take pain medication; I may have to put drops in my eye for a period of one week or more; I may have to follow certain temporary restrictions; and I may have to attend post-operative follow-up appointments. I have been informed that, although rare, complications may occur during or after the procedure. A complication may result in a decrease in the quality of vision, either temporarily or permanently. This decrease in vision may not be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery. Possible complications include, but are not limited to: residual refractive error, glare, halos, dry eye, regression, decrease in best corrected visual acuity, corneal opacity, corneal deformity, ectasia/keratoconus, infection, surgical instrument or sterilization device failure, programming errors, etc. Abnormal healing (fibrosis or haze), delayed re-epithelialization, recurrent erosion, etc. Some complications may require a change in dosage or more frequent visits to the clinic. If this is the case, I will be responsible for the costs incurred by these events (travel, accommodation, time off work, etc.). As with any medical or surgical treatment, the results cannot be guaranteed. I understand that I may eventually have to wear glasses to perform certain tasks. If this is the case, I will be responsible for the cost of the optical correction (frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses). If deemed necessary and safe by the ophthalmologist, a second procedure may be offered to enhance the result of my surgery: Touch-up (at no additional cost for on year). I am responsible for paying the fees related to my corneal laser refractive surgery. I have been informed of the total cost of my procedure. I have been informed clearly and accurately, as well as verbally, by my ophthalmologist and/or nurse, that after the procedure, a designated person must accompany me for the return trip, as I will not be able to drive in an optimal and safe manner. I understand the risks involved in not complying with this procedure: diminished or absent depth perception, blurred vision, perception of halos, double vision, etc. I release CEMO and its professionals from all responsibilities and consequences that may result from my decision not to comply with these instructions. By signing, I declare that my consent is free and informed. I acknowledge that I have received all the information relevant to the treatment I have consented to receive. The risks, benefits and expected results have been explained to me and my questions were answered to my satisfaction. I understand that the potential long-term side effects are not yet defined. I acknowledge that I have been informed that I may contact my physician or a member of his or her team at any time to discuss any new questions I may have or to declare that I wish to revoke my consent to my surgery. I, the undersigned, ……………………………………………………………………………………., acknowledge that the nature of the procedure, as well as the risks involved, have been explained to me in terms that I understand, and that all the questions I have asked have been answered satisfactorily. I have been informed of the costs of the surgery.
Read this document carefully before signing. By consenting to the correction of my presbyopia by corneal laser refractive surgery, I acknowledge that I understand the following information: Throughout a person’s lifetime, the lens of the eye gradually loses its natural elasticity that allows it to move from distance vision to near vision (accommodation). The loss of accommodation is physiological and affects everyone after the age of 40. It then continues until the age of 50, when practically all flexibility of the lens disappears. Presbyopia is the inability to focus objects at close range when distance vision is corrected.To date, there is no treatment that can restore or prevent the loss of lens flexibility. Corneal refractive surgery with the Excimer laser is designed to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by modifying the curvature of the cornea. During the specific treatment for the correction of presbyopia: the dominant eye is corrected mainly for distance vision, according to standard procedures in laser refractive surgery. On the other hand, the vision of this eye will be more blurred at close range. The non-dominant eye is corrected primarily for close range vision, according to standard laser refractive surgery procedures. However, the vision of this eye will be more blurred at distance. The PRESBYMAX ablation profile is applied to either the right eye, the left eye or to both eyes during the correction. The main goal of the treatment is to increase the depth of field of each eye (range of clear vision). Thus, both eyes share a common area of intermediate vision that promotes image fusion between the two eyes. As with any medical or surgical treatment, the results cannot be guaranteed. I understand that corneal laser refractive surgery does not eliminate presbyopia. It is a compromise that aims to give good distance vision, while maintaining functionality in intermediate and near vision. Following the correction of presbyopia by laser, I will have to adapt to a difference in vision between both of my eyes. This difference could lead to a decrease in the quality of vision and depth perception. I understand that I may need to wear glasses to perform certain tasks in order to maximize the distance and/or near vision of both eyes. If this is the case, I will be responsible for the cost of the optical correction (frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses). If deemed necessary and safe by the ophthalmologist, a second procedure could be offered to me to enhance the result of my surgery: Touch-up (at no additional cost for one year). Presbyopia treatment may be reversed, if deemed necessary and safe by the ophthalmologist. However, retreatment may not restore my vision to what it was before surgery. I am responsible for the payment of all costs associated with the correction of my presbyopia by corneal laser refractive surgery, regardless of the final result. I have been informed of the total cost of my procedure. The correction of presbyopia by corneal laser refractive surgery is an elective surgery, which means that it is not mandatory. I understand that there are various non-surgical approaches to compensate for my presbyopia, such as wearing glasses or contact lenses, as well as other surgical alternatives, including lens replacement with an intraocular lens. However, I opted for laser correction of my presbyopia. By signing, I declare that my consent is free and informed and that I have received all the information relevant to the treatment I am consenting to receive. The risks, benefits and expected results have been explained to me and my questions were answered to my satisfaction. I understand that the potential long-term side effects are not yet defined. I acknowledge that I have been informed that I may contact my physician or a member of his or her team at any time to discuss any new questions I may have or to declare that I wish to revoke my consent to my surgery. I, the undersigned, ……………………………………………………………………………………., acknowledge that the nature of the procedure, as well as the risks involved, have been explained to me in terms that I understand, and that all of the questions I have asked have been answered to my satisfaction. I have been informed of the costs of the surgery.
You will be asked to arrive at your scheduled surgery time. Although the procedure is short, plan to stay at the clinic for about 45 minutes.
Before your surgery, you will be asked to carefully read and sign a consent form, and it is important to note any questions or concerns that may remain after reading it so that they can be discussed with the ophthalmologist before the procedure.
Do not plan any major activities after the surgery. You will need to rest. Do not place any compresses on the eye. Avoid rubbing the treated eye while the bandaged contact lens is in place. Your vision will be blurred and your eyes will be sensitive to light.
For the first year, plan to wear sunglasses with an adequate UV filter when you are outdoors.
After the surgery, you will put different kinds of medications in the treated eye, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. The order of the drops does not matter. The dosage and duration of the treatment will be adapted to your condition by the ophthalmologist during post-operative follow-up visits.
Laser surgery causes dryness in the eye during the first three months after surgery. You will need to moisturize your eyes regularly during this time with artificial tears.
A bandage contact lens will cover your cornea for the first four to five days following surgery. Use artificial tears frequently to maintain proper lubrication of the lens. Thereafter, the frequency and duration of use can be adapted according to the symptoms of dryness. If necessary, you can obtain these artificial tears at the pharmacy, without a prescription.
For the first four to five days following surface removal surgery, your vision will be blurred. You will feel as if you are looking through a filter or a frosted window.
It is normal for the eye to heat up and water. If this is inconvenient, you can take a painkiller every four hours.
You will be very sensitive to light. You can use sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun and wind. Your eyes will be sensitive to touch. This sensitivity will prevent you from rubbing your eyes vigorously at first, but will gradually fade over the three months following the surgery.
It is normal to feel some dryness in the eyes after surgery, especially during the first month. For some people, this symptom can persist for more than three months. Dryness can be manifested by different symptoms:
The regular use of artificial tears (three to four times a day) during the first three months will help to reduce the intensity of these symptoms.
It is normal to perceive halos (blurred halos) around lights for a period of three to four weeks following surgery. This symptom is mainly due to the temporary decrease in the transparency and regularity of the cornea when it is healing. You will have the impression of seeing lights through a light fog.
The perception of halos may be more prominent or prolonged if:
The surgery is characterized by a rapid recovery of vision, allowing most people to resume their activities one week after surgery. Your vision will improve as soon as the bandage contact lens is removed.
Vision is usually becomes stable after one month in 95% of cases. However, the rate of recovery can vary from person to person. This is why it could take up to 12 months after surgery for the quality of your vision to improve. The greater the correction, the longer the recovery period.
Don’t be concerned if the quality of your vision doesn’t seem perfect in the short term. It will improve over time.
It is common to notice a slight difference in the quality of vision between both of your eyes. Ideally, you should avoid covering one eye for comparison. By letting both eyes work together, you will facilitate the adaptation of your visual system to your new condition. In addition, binocular vision is always superior to seeing with one eye at a time.
You can return to work as soon as your vision is satisfactory for the performance of your usual tasks (1 week). We do not issue a notice of medical leave of absence.
Your eyes will be more easily irritated during the first few weeks, which may make working at a computer monitor and prolonged reading more difficult. Use artificial tears to improve your comfort. When using anti-inflammatory drops, you may notice an unpleasant iron-like taste in the back of your throat. This is because the medication passes through the nose, through the tear duct and then into the throat. To avoid this unpleasant taste, keep your eyes closed for 20 seconds after applying the drops and apply a gentle pinch in the corner of the eye, near your nose.
If you work in a dusty environment or an environment with a high risk of infection, you must wait one week before returning to work (e.g., gardening, mining, garage, construction, etc.). If necessary, the clinic can give you a letter justifying your absence from work. It is recommended that safety glasses be worn when necessary during the first three months.
You will be able to take a shower or bath the day after the surgery. Keep your eyes closed in the shower and avoid directing the water jet at your eyes for two weeks. Also avoid getting water or shampoo in your eyes for the first few days.
You should avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas for two weeks. After that, you can resume swimming with the use of goggles. Avoid diving during the first few weeks. Water-skiing should be avoided for at least 8 to 12 weeks because of the high risk of falls and the sudden entry of water into the eyes.
Facial creams and lotions can be used the day after surgery. However, it is important to avoid the eye area and eyelids for two weeks. Mascara and eyeliner are therefore not recommended during this period. Use new, water-soluble products to avoid infection and to make it easier to remove makeup. This should be done without putting too much pressure on the eyes. Choose delicate movements.
Over 95% of people who have had surgery can drive their car as early as one week after surgery. During your post-operative visits, the ophthalmologist will tell you when you will have recovered visual acuity corresponding to the standards for driving a vehicle. During the first few days, after you start driving again, you should drive carefully because your vision may appear slightly blurred and your depth perception may be slightly altered.
It is normal to perceive halos around lights in the evening for a period of about four weeks.
Your contrast sensitivity may be slightly decreased during the first month, which may interfere with evening driving.
If you experience this situation, you may apply for a review to remove the “Wearing Eyeglasses While Driving” condition from your driver’s license. It is better to wait until your visual condition has stabilized before making this request (ideally, one month after the surgery).
Most sports can be resumed after two weeks.
The use of tanning booths is not recommended during the first four weeks. Exposure to ultraviolet light and intense heat can interfere with the healing of the cornea and increase the dryness of the eyes. Use UV protective eyewear during exposure, as well as artificial tears before and after.
In most cases, the final correction is within ± 0.50 dioptres of the target, which allows most people to be independent without glasses for most of their daily activities, including driving.
The laser is calibrated before each procedure to ensure its effectiveness and accuracy. However, it is impossible to guarantee a 100% result following laser correction.
Because the cornea is an organ and not a mechanical object, its response may vary from person to person, during surgery and during recovery. Depending on its condition, the cornea may over- or under-respond to treatment.
The postoperative result depends largely on the degree of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism to be corrected.
It is possible to consider a touch-up if the visual result obtained after the surgery does not allow you to be autonomous without glasses in most of your activities in distance vision. A touch-up is never considered before three to six months after surgery. It is important to wait for complete stabilization of the healing process.
A touch-up does not always improve the quality of vision, especially when the residual defect to be treated is less than ±0.75 diopters. The ophthalmologist will therefore have to judge the relevance and safety of a second operation.
If you are slightly overcorrected or undercorrected compared to the goal before surgery, the ophthalmologist or optometrist may suggest that you occasionally wear supplementary glasses to correct your vision perfectly, depending on your degree of tolerance in more difficult conditions.
If you are over 40 years old, you may need to wear glasses during your close-up activities (e.g., reading, working at a computer monitor, etc.).
Laser surgery does not slow down the progression of presbyopia. If you have chosen to have a PRESBYMAX laser correction, it will sometimes be necessary to equalize both of your eyes with glasses for precision tasks.
The eye can be compared to a camera. Its anterior segment is composed of two natural lenses; the cornea, located in front of the iris and the lens, located behind it.
The iris, which gives the eye its distinct color, acts as a diaphragm by controlling the amount of light that enters the eye through the opening of the pupil (central black part). In the presence of a large amount of light, the pupil contracts and when there is less light, it dilates.
The cornea is a rounded window. Its curvature gives it a certain focusing power, comparable to the lens of a camera.
The crystalline lens is transparent and flexible at birth. This lens is contained in an envelope, the capsule, which is attached to muscles. When the muscles contract, the lens takes on a more rounded shape, like a magnifying glass. This action, called accommodation, allows the eye to adjust its focus on the image when an object comes closer. This adjustment mimics the action of zooming a camera. As light rays pass through the cornea and then the lens, they converge on a focal point. After passing through a gelatinous substance called the vitreous, all these points of light form an image that will be captured by the retina. The retina lines the back of the eye like a camera film. The image will then be sent to the brain through the optic nerve, in the form of nerve impulse.
Any damage or abnormality of the eye can prevent you from obtaining 100% vision, even after surgery performed under optimal conditions.
An eye is said to be emmetropic or without refractive error when the light rays that pass through the cornea and the lens focus on a single clear point, directly on the retina. The focus is then perfect for distance vision. At this time, the lens is at rest.
As the eye grows, distance vision defects may appear, requiring glasses and/or contact lenses to correct them.
During laser surgery, the ophthalmologist uses the Excimer laser to modify the curvature of the cornea in order to reduce your dependence on your optical correction. 
If the eye is too long or if the cornea is too curved, the light rays converge in front of the retina. This results in blurred vision, especially at a distance.
If you are nearsighted and remove your glasses, your vision will be better up close and you will have difficulty distinguishing distant objects.
To correct myopia, the laser must flatten the curvature of the cornea by vaporizing layers of cells mainly in the center of the cornea.
The size of the area to be treated is chosen in advance by the ophthalmologist. Ideally, this area should correspond to the size of the pupil under dark lighting conditions.
The number of layers vaporized on the top of the cornea is directly proportional to the degree of myopia to be corrected and to the size of the area to be treated.
If you have high myopia and large diameter pupils, your cornea may not be thick enough to be corrected safely and effectively.
Laser surgery should be considered with caution for myopia exceeding -10.00 diopters.  
If the eye is too short or the cornea is not curved enough, the light rays converge behind the retina.
The lens of the eye then exerts constant effort to adjust the focus of the image on the retina.
This explains why some people with hyperopia have good distance vision for many years.
However, the eye’s effort to accommodate results in visual fatigue, mainly at close range.
With age and the loss of elasticity of the lens, latent hyperopia gradually manifests itself as blurred vision in intermediate and distance vision.
To correct farsightedness, the laser creates a groove around the pupil, at the edge of the cornea, so as to make it more arched in the center.
In general, laser treatment of farsightedness will be limited to degrees of +4.00 diopters.
Astigmatism is frequently caused by a “football-shaped” cornea, which is more curved at one axis and flatter at the opposite axis.
This results in two different focal points in the eye, either in front of or behind the retina (myopic or hyperopic astigmatism).
This type of visual defect may cause uneven blurring around an object or the impression of a split image.
In general, astigmatism can be corrected by refractive surgery.
The laser will perform a deeper or shallower ablation, depending on the axis being treated. 
Throughout life, the lens of the eye progressively loses its natural elasticity which allows it to switch between distance vision and near vision. This function is called accommodation.
Loss of accommodation (presbyopia) is physiological and affects everyone after age 40.
It then continues until the age of 50, when practically all flexibility of the lens disappears.
When you wear your distance glasses, there are certain signs that can help you recognize the onset of presbyopia:
The lens is the structure of the eye that is most affected by the effects of age.
People with myopia tend to believe that they do not become presbyopic (at around 40 years old) because they view objects up close at any time, without effort, by simply removing their distance vision glasses.
In fact, their visual defect serves as an “escape hatch” to camouflage their presbyopia.
If your vision is perfectly corrected at a distance, you will have to accept the fact that you need to wear glasses for tasks involving close-up vision, in order to compensate for the onset of presbyopia. (e.g., for reading, to see the time on your wristwatch, to see the dashboard in your car, to work at a computer monitor, to do small tasks around the house, etc.)
Contrary to popular belief, not all patients are automatically candidates for laser surgery. Even before the pre-operative examination, the ophthalmologist will need to make sure that you meet certain basic requirements by asking you some important questions. Laser surgery may be contraindicated if: You have high myopia (-10.00 diopters and above) or high hyperopia (+6.00 diopters and above); You have insufficient corneal thickness for the necessary correction. THE PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT During your pre-operative consultation, you will meet with ophthalmologists who will perform a complete evaluation of your vision and the health of your eyes. They will be able to determine if you are a candidate for laser refractive surgery. If you are eligible, they will suggest the type of correction best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Our surgeons are committed to answering all your questions to help you make an informed decision.
The minimum age to be eligible for laser refractive surgery is 18. If your glasses or contact lens prescription has changed by more than 0.75 diopters in the last year, it is best to wait until your vision has stabilized before undergoing surgery. Laser surgery does not stop the natural evolution of vision.
It is preferable to wait until your vision has stabilized before undergoing surgery. Laser surgery does not stop the natural evolution of vision. Your vision is likely to be unstable if: You are in your early 20s or younger; You are pregnant or breastfeeding; You have hormonal fluctuations caused by a disease such as diabetes; You are taking medications that affect vision such as corticosteroids or anti-depressants.
Hormones produced during pregnancy or breastfeeding can cause unstable vision or dryness of the eyes. It is recommended to wait for about three months after pregnancy or the end of breastfeeding before having the surgery. Tell your ophthalmologist if you plan to become pregnant within six months of your laser surgery.
Poorly controlled or unstable diabetes can cause your vision to fluctuate, making it difficult to achieve adequate correction. This condition can also affect postoperative recovery by slowing the wound healing process.
Healing of the cornea after laser surgery can be affected by certain conditions such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunosuppression (e.g., AIDS, transplant rejection therapies or medications) and vascular diseases (e.g., diabetes). Delays in healing can also be observed when taking certain medications (e.g., cortisone, retinoic acid). Tell your ophthalmologist if you have a history of excessive scarring from injury or surgery (keloids).
Certain eye diseases (whether hereditary or acquired with age) may be considered a contraindication to laser surgery for various reasons: Because they cause a progressive deterioration of the quality of vision that cannot be corrected by glasses (e.g., cataracts and keratoconus); Because they require the use of medicated drops or a possible surgical procedure (e.g., Glaucoma); Because they may reactivate following surgery (e.g., herpes simplex or herpes zoster virus infection of the cornea); Because they may worsen following surgery (e.g., corneal dystrophy and dry eye syndrome). It is also important to tell your ophthalmologist if you have had an eye injury or eye surgery (e.g., PRK, radial keratotomy or LASIK, strabismus surgery).
Amblyopic (or lazy) eyes have poor vision that cannot be perfectly corrected by glasses or contact lenses. This visual weakness is often present at birth or following a strabismus (squinting eye). Laser surgery cannot give the lazy eye better vision than that which can be corrected with lenses. Also, if a surgical complication were to occur in your good eye, it could irreversibly affect your overall vision. Your case must be carefully studied by the ophthalmologist before any surgical procedure.
During the pre-operative evaluation, if a contraindication to laser surgery is noted, other solutions for the correction of your vision will be proposed: The implantation of a phakic lens. The phakic lens is used to correct high myopia and hyperopia as well as astigmatism. Patients who undergo this type of procedure continue to have their lenses function normally when focusing on images in the near vision range. Replacement of your lens with an intraocular lens. Clear lens replacement is done in the same way as cataract surgery. However, the primary goal is to reduce your dependence on your corrective lenses. This procedure can be considered starting at the age of 45-50 years, when the lens has lost its ability to accommodate. The ophthalmologist will recommend the best solution for your needs and lifestyle.
