Laser treatments
Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can be corrected with a laser treatment. Our ophthalmologists master different techniques and we have state-of-the art laser equipment for a treatment customized to your needs and desires.
There is a lot of overlap between the various laser treatments. Every treatment is fast (max. 10 minutes per eye) and nearly painless.
The intake examinations will tell us which treatment is best suited to your eyes.
When are you eligible for a laser treatment?
- Vision specifications
- Age
- Conditions involving pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Recent intake examination
- Exclusion criteria for laser treatment
If you have a corneal disease, a rheumatic condition or have had a corneal inflammation caused by the herpes virus, then unfortunately a laser treatment is not for you.
Various types of laser treatments
Femto-LASIK
With this treatment, we carry out the entire procedure with two lasers. First, a thin layer (the flap) is loosened with the Femto laser. Then, the Excimer laser is used to treat the eye at a deeper level of the cornea. After the laser treatment of your eye, the flap is put back.
Advantages
- Very precise
- Very quick recovery
- Safer
- Quicker and better quality of vision
- Less likelihood of repeated treatment
Disadvantages
- Not suited for a too thin or irregular cornea
PRK
With this type of laser treatment, the top cell layer of the cornea is removed manually or with a laser, before the excimer laser starts its work. After the treatment, we place a temporary contact lens on the eye so that the incision can heal. The surface layer grows back fully in less than a week.
Advantages
- Long-proven technique
- Safe technique for thin corneas
- Suitable for practitioners of contact sports with a risk of eye injuries (e.g. boxing, judo, etc.)
Disadvantages
- Burning, stinging or watering eyes and high sensitivity to light in the first few days after the procedure.
- Longer recovery time as compared to Femto-LASIK
We’re happy to help!
Your vision, your comfort, your happiness: this is what we care about at Brussels Eye Doctors. Our experienced team is ready to help you and answer all your questions.
Start your process towards a life without glasses today, and schedule an extensive pre-operative exam and an initial conversation to get to know you (+/- 2 hours), so that together we can determine the best solution for you.
- The laser treatment itself is very quick (around 10 minutes per eye) and nearly painless.
- When you arrive at our eye centre, we ensure that you immediately feel comfortable.
- After the necessary administrative matters have been dealt with, the final requisite measurements are carried out. The surgeon takes the time to measure your vision once more and answer your final questions.
- Then you are accompanied to the operating room. There, your eye is given a local anaesthetic with drops and is carefully disinfected.
- In case of a Femto-LASIK treatment, you will first feel a bit of pressure for about forty seconds when the laser creates the flap. After that, the flap is lifted and opened up for treatment with the Excimer laser.
- While you look at a flickering light, the excimer-laser does its work. You will hear a little crackling sound while the laser is doing its work, which is completely normal. The actual refractive laser procedure takes a couple of minutes per eye and is nearly painless.
- After the procedure, antibiotic drops are applied.
- After the laser treatment, you can rest for a while. After a check-up by our team, you can go home. For safety reasons, it is best not to drive yourself and to have someone to accompany you.
- Taking the preparation, additional tests, treatment and follow-up into account, you will spend around two hours at our eye centre. Because we take our time to ensure everything goes optimally, we advise you to set aside half a day for the treatment.
The price of a laser treatment varies, depending on various individual factors. We consider it important to make a personal price calculation for each patient. For an overview of our fees, please go to the fees page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LASIK and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
During a LASIK procedure, an ultra-thin flap is created in the cornea. The laser then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue to correct vision before the flap is repositioned. The main advantages of LASIK are its rapid recovery time — most patients can see well the very next day — and its exceptional precision, even in patients with large pupils. However, LASIK is not suitable for people with dry eyes or a cornea that is too thin.
What is PRK, what are its benefits, and how does it differ from LASIK?
PRK is a laser eye treatment performed on the surface of the cornea. Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is created. Instead, the outer layer of corneal cells is removed and naturally regenerates afterward. With no-touch PRK, the laser performs this step without physically touching the eye. The main advantage of PRK is that it is the safest laser technique for patients with thin corneas. The downside is that recovery generally takes about one week.
What is the SMILE method for laser eye surgery?
SMILE, officially known as KLEx or SmartSight, is currently the most advanced and least invasive form of laser vision correction. The entire procedure is performed using a single laser through a tiny opening of only 3 mm. Unlike LASIK, no corneal flap is required, and the risk of developing dry eyes after treatment is minimal.
How much does laser eye surgery cost at Brussels Eye Doctors and what is included in the price?
The cost depends on the technique selected, such as LASIK, PRK, or KLEx. The price includes follow-up appointments after one, three, and six months. Any enhancement procedure required within the first two years is covered under the treatment guarantee. Some health insurance funds and hospitalization insurance policies may also provide partial reimbursement for laser eye surgery.
How long does laser eye treatment take and when are you eligible for laser eye surgery?
Laser eye treatment takes a maximum of 10 minutes per eye and is completely painless. You may be eligible for laser vision correction if you have myopia up to approximately -10 diopters (up to -8 with KLEx), hyperopia up to +6 diopters, or astigmatism up to 6 diopters. Soft contact lenses should be removed three days before treatment, while rigid lenses should be removed at least one week beforehand. A comprehensive pre-operative examination will determine whether laser eye surgery is suitable for you.