My vision defect has been stable for about 20 years, remaining at -2.5 dioptres in both eyes. I wear contact lenses every day, but I am slowly leaning towards having the surgery if possible. Is the defect likely to recur after the procedure?

The laser vision correction treatment is performed once in a lifetime. The condition for obtaining the best possible effect is a carefully performed qualification and a stabilised vision defect – i.e. if the patient has not required replacement of glasses with stronger ones by at least 0.5-1.0 dioptre within the last 12 months, the defect can be considered stable.

During the examination qualifying for the laser vision correction procedure, an ophthalmic surgeon selects the most suitable correction method for the patient. Immediately before the procedure, the data obtained during the examination, including the thickness and shape of the cornea and the value of the refractive error, is entered into the laser. This means that particular correction is performed on the eye, giving a permanent effect.

What is important is that the patient needs to stop wearing contact lenses at least 7 days before the qualifying examination, surgery or one-day procedure.