1. Why can't I have an examination and laser surgery the same day?

An examination for laser dioptre removal involves the dilation of the pupil to give a close look at the background of the eye. The prerequisite for laser dioptre removal surgery is a healthy eye background. The operation itself is performed on a narrow pupil, therefore it is not recommended to undergo examination and surgery on the same day.

2. Can a child undergo laser dioptre removal?

A person must be of legal age to undergo surgery. Surgery under the age of 18 is not advised because the eye is still developing and dioptre changes. The eye grows as person does. We are born with an eye length of 16 millimetres, by the third year it grows to 23 mm, and during puberty, when the growth of the eyes is completed, normally the eyeball reaches a length of 24 mm. 

3. Why is there such a big difference in the prices for laser dioptre removal?

The method of laser dioptre removal and pricing vary depending on the technology used. For example, the Femto-Lasik method is more expensive than other methods because it uses a combination of two lasers for its operation, while for example, the PRK method uses only one laser.

4. Why can't I undergo laser dioptre removal if I'm over 45?

Because after 45 years of age presbyopia (reading dioptre) develops and in that case one glasses would be replaced with another, which isn’t the goal.  If the lens is clear it’s possible to remove dioptre with laser. However, if there’s a start of cataract, it’s not an option.

5. If I have menstruation, can I have a laser dioptre removal?

You can, menstruation is not a barrier to laser dioptre removal.

6. Can I exercise after laser dioptre removal?

Light exercises such as treadmill and stationary bike can be started 2-3 weeks after the procedure, but sweat leakage should be prevented from entering the eyes with straps or dress shield. Also, you should avoid sea, and can swim again in the pool after a month. Gym and contact sports can be started a month after the procedure.

7. How long after laser surgery am I allowed to wash my hair?

Eye contact with tap water should be avoided for the first few days (preferably 5 days) as there are microorganisms presenting a potential infection risk for the freshly operated eye.

8. Why are soft lenses removed 3 days before the examination for laser surgery and 24 hours before the general examination?

Because we do detailed corneal recordings and for the topography to be applicable, it takes a minimum of 3 days for the cornea to recover.

9. How long shouldn’t I engage in physical activity after the PRK method?

Light exercises such as treadmill and stationary bike can be started 2-3 weeks after the procedure but sweat leakage should be prevented from entering the eyes with straps or dress shield. Also, you should avoid sea, and can swim again in the pool after a month. Gym and contact sports can be started a month after the procedure.

10. In what period, after the examination, can I have surgery?

Dioptre laser scanning is performed from Monday to Thursday, and laser dioptre removal surgery is performed on Fridays. As a rule, a patient who has a check-up can have a surgery in the same week. After the examination, the findings are valid for 6 months, within which surgery should be performed without the need for a recurrence.

11. Can I have laser dioptre removal if I have high eye pressure?

The answer to this question cannot be generalized. It is individual and depends on how high the eye pressure is. Glaucoma should be monitored. If the condition is stable and there is no progression, it’s not a contraindication. Depending on your nerve and field of vision condition, your doctor will recommend the best solution.

12.If I have keratoconus, can I remove my dioptre with laser?

Unfortunately, no.

13. Do I have to wear sunglasses at home after laser surgery?

You wear sunglasses when leaving the Clinic after surgery until you get home. After that, you don’t need to wear sunglasses in the house, but it is advisable to wear them when going outside.

14. Can I have laser dioptre removal if I have diabetes?

Yes. If there’s no damage to the ocular background, diabetes is not a contraindication.

15. Do I need to remove artificial eyelashes for examination and surgery?

You don’t need to remove eyelashes for the examination, but they certainly need to be removed for the surgery.

16. How long after the procedure am I not allowed to apply makeup?

You should avoid mascara and eyeliner 3 weeks after the procedure.

17. If the menstrual cycle has stabilized and I'm still breastfeeding, can I have a dioptre laser?

Not. Laser dioptre removal is not advised while breastfeeding. Read more: https://svjetlost.hr/blog/smiju-li-trudnice-na-lasersko-skidanje-dioptrije/2689.

18. How long after surgery should I avoid smoky and dusty rooms?

It is advised to avoid smoky rooms 2-3 weeks after surgery.

19. Can laser dioptre removal be done multiple times?

Yes. In a very small number of patients (less than 1%), a return of the dioptre is possible and, if the condition permits, a re-operation can be done.

20. What if I am not a suitable candidate for laser dioptre removal?

If a person is not a candidate for laser vision correction because of certain indications (eg, dioptres above -10 or +6 and ± 6 astigmatism cylinders, insufficient thickness or structural changes in the cornea ...), another type of surgery may be performed that involves lens placement to remove dioptre.
If blurring of the eye lens (cataract or cataract) is present and / or the person wants to get rid of both the reading and long-range dioptre, the solution is to install multifocal or extended-vision lenses.

21. Does laser dioptre removal surgery hurt?

Before the procedure, anaesthesia with drops is applied to the patient, so the operation is painless.

22. What if I blink or move my eye during surgery?

The eyelid holder prevents eye blinks during the procedure, and since the procedure is performed under drop anaesthesia and lasts only a few minutes, the feeling of discomfort is minimal. The laser is equipped with a micro-eye movement system that responds in milliseconds. If the patient moves around, the laser automatically stops working. The laser is programmed to deliver the beam to the correct location.

23. Can I get blinded during surgery?

The very operation of laser dioptre removal is performed on the surface of the eye (on the cornea), and all vision centres are located in the back of the eye, so there is no possibility for laser to cause blindness. The laser operates on the principle of the cold beam of light, which can neither damage the surrounding tissue nor penetrate deeper in the eye than necessary.

24. Is laser dioptre removal permanent?

The results of laser dioptre removal are permanent in 98% of cases. In extremely high dioptres, in less than 2% of cases, returns of far smaller dioptres than the ones before the laser correction were registered. However, even with these individuals, it’s possible to re-do the procedure with today’s technology without additional risk to the eyes if it was done in the past 10 years. The return of the dioptre is not the result of a poorly done procedure, but of the personal, genetic and environmental factors of each individual eye (further growth of the dioptre due to genetic factors, irregular healing processes and long-term proximity work).

25. Can astigmatism (cylinders) be removed by laser dioptre removal?

Yes, it can. Up to ± 6 astigmatism cylinders can be removed with laser. If a person also has near-sightedness or farsightedness, it is removed in the same step. The cost of the procedure is the same regardless of whether the person has spherical dioptre or cylinders or a combination of both.

26. I am 65, diagnosed with grey cataract, am I a candidate for laser dioptre correction?

If a cataract is diagnosed, it must be surgically removed. In this case, a laser dioptre removal isn’t the solution, but a cataract surgery with lens implant. The operation is performed by having your natural blurred eye lens removed from the eye and replaced with a clear artificial lens. The dioptre is also corrected when replacing the lens. Multifocal for good vision at all distances, without the need for glasses can be implanted in Svjetlost Eye Clinic.

27. I have dioptre -13, how can you help me?

For anyone with a dioptre greater than -10 or +6, it is possible to implant phakic lenses in the eye. Phakic lenses are mounted on a natural ophthalmic lens and completely solve the problem of dioptre. It is important to do a thorough ophthalmic examination with all the imaging to see which phakic lens would be the best solution.

28. Can pregnant women undergo laser dioptre removal?

During pregnancy, the woman's body, including her eyes, undergoes many hormonal changes. Dioptre laser removal operations are considered elective (procedures that can wait to be done) and it is recommended that they’re not performed during pregnancy and lactation. Optimal planning for laser dioptre removal in women planning pregnancy would be 2-3 months before pregnancy or after stabilization of the menstrual cycle after delivery.

29. Is the dryness of the eye permanent after the procedure?

After laser surgery, there is an increased dryness of the eye for a minimum of 6 weeks and artificial tears should then be used. According to recent studies (performed on the latest laser technologies - a flap created by a femtosecond laser, and dioptre removal on new fast excimer lasers), it was found that after 6 months complete healing of the eye was completed and 99% of patients had no symptoms. Slightly more severe dry eye symptoms, which can last for more than 6 weeks, are exclusively experienced by people who have worn contact lenses (especially soft ones) for many hours during the day. The reason for the prolonged dry eye in such individuals is the primary disruption of the mucous membranes of the eye caused by the contact lens. When wearing contact lenses (especially soft ones), the lens leans against the mucous membrane of the eye and causes constant cell friction with the lens due to normal eye movements and blinking. For this reason, it is extremely important that contact lens wearers drip artificial tears across the lenses to at least partially mitigate the damage to these cells and the dryness of the eyes (and lenses to absorb the tears to maintain humidity). Excessive dryness of the eye is the main reason for stopping wearing contact lenses, and all contact lens wearers have some of the symptoms of dry eye after 10 years of wearing lenses. If symptoms are severe, dry eye should be treated prior to laser surgery.