Frequently Asked Questions

Today, over 94% of all refractive errors can be corrected with the individual Femto-LASIK, an all-laser, wavefront-guided LASIK. LASIK surgery is used to correct nearsightedness of up to -8 dpt, farsightedness of up to +3 dpt and astigmatism for up to 5 dpt.

In addition, there are a number of procedures available to correct even higher refractive errors (lens exchange, lens implants).

A final assessment can only be made after an eye exam and consultation.

Regardless of the type and severity of the refractive error, each patient must meet some criteria and conditions in order to ensure an optimal success of the surgery.

Children and patients who are younger than 18 years should not receive eye laser surgery. The refractive error should be stable (and the eye should have stopped growing) before the surgical procedure is performed.

Eye diseases such as cataract or glaucoma can contraindicate surgery and it is important to discuss them with the ophthalmologist.

Because some general illnesses as well as some medications have an influence in the healing process of the cornea, certain illnesses such as rheumatic arthritis can contraindicate surgery.

Treatment during pregnancy or while nursing is not recommended.

If you suffer from allergies, the surgery should be planned at an allergy-free time.

Yes! Contact lenses must only be removed 1-2 weeks prior to LASIK surgery. This will be explained to you in detail during your preoperative exam.

» Course of your procedure at FreeVis

Usually, you will reach a vision good enough to drive on the day after surgery. Therefore, you will be able to perform most tasks. To be on the safe side, we recommend that you'll take a few days off and relax.

With today's procedures, the risk of serious complications is considered to be extremely low, less than 1%, but cannot be excluded completely. Your ophthalmologist will inform you of your individual risk during your preoperative consultation.

Please note:
The minimization of the risk to the presently lowest level depends on the experience of the ophthalmologist who performs the procedure as well as on the patient's cooperation by closely following and observing the postoperative treatment instructions.

For decades, ophthalmologists have been interested in developing procedures for the surgical correction of refractive errors. José I. Barraquer (1916-1998) developed a rather successful method more than 40 years ago. He dedicated his whole life and all his work to the idea of optimizing the refractive power of the eye by "reshaping" the cornea. His "keratomileusis" was the foundation for the PRK and LASIK procedures used today and made him the founder of refractive surgery.

The LASIK method has been used since 1991, and today it is scientifically accepted and established in ophthalmology. The procedure itself as well as the equipment continues to be improved (See Femto-LASIK and SMILE).

Lens exchange and lens implants have an equally long history (since the 1960ies).

Do not rub your eyes for the first few days after surgery!
Use the eye drops you received on a regular basis and as prescribed.
Only use the eye drops for the length of time specified by your ophthalmologist; an extended time of use of this highly effective medication may be harmful to your eyes.
Take advantage of the scheduled check-up visits.
Immediately contact your ophthalmologist if you experience severe pain or a sudden decrease in vision.

» Course of treatment at FreeVis

No! Before your procedure, you will receive a tranquilizer and a pain reliever (tablets). Your eye(s) will be anesthetized with eye drops, there are no injections necessary. The procedures are painfree, although you may experience a foreign body sensation with itching and an increase in tears for the first few hours after surgery.

» Course of treatment at FreeVis

The surgery itself takes only a few minutes. Because your eyes will be examined before as well as after the procedure, your total stay with us will be about one hour to 90 minutes.

» Course of treatment at FreeVis

This depends on the procedure.

We usually perform eye laser surgery such as Femto-LASIK or SMILE on both eyes on the same day. Of course we'll use a separate sterile set of instruments for each eye. At your specific request, we can also perform surgery on both eyes at different appointments.

Should you undergo lens surgery, both eyes will be operated on on two consecutive days.

Usually, eye laser surgery will be performed for both eyes on the same day. Therefore, this question applies only for procedures such as lens implants or replacements.

If you wear contact lenses, you can manage the time between the surgeries without problem by continuing to wear your contact lens on the eye on which surgery was not yet performed. But: Please take into consideration that contact lenses may not be worn for 2 - 3 weeks prior to surgery.

If you wear eyeglasses, your choices are to leave the unoperated eye uncorrected by not wearing eyeglasses, or you may continue to wear your eyeglasses after surgery on the first eye, which will create an unfocused image on the operated eye.

Our present knowledge shows that the results attained approximately 3 months after surgery will remain stable.

You will come to our LASIK center for a postoperative check-up on the day following your surgery. After that, we usually refer you back to your primary eye care doctor.

Please make sure:
Attend all scheduled postoperative check-ups. They are an important part of the treatment and effect the final result of the surgery.

» Course of treatment at FreeVis

Usually, it is necessary to apply eye drops for a limited amount of time. It is extremely important that the instructions given by the ophthalmologist are strictly observed, the postoperative medication treatment requires regular check-ups! If any problems should occur, the treating physician should be contacted immediately.

» Course of treatment at FreeVis

Physical activity, sports, tanning beds, saunas and swimming pools should be avoided for 1 - 2 weeks. Otherwise, simply take it easy and do whatever pleases you!

You may operate a vehicle as soon as sufficient vision has been regained on the operated eye. After Femto-LASIK or SMILE, this is usually the case on the day after surgery.