REFRACTIVE SURGERY MELBOURNE

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC

Treatment for short-sightedness (Myopia), long-sightedness (Hypermetropia) and abnormally curved cornea (Astigmatism).

REFRACTIVE SURGERY MELBOURNE

A PATIENT’S GUIDE

Our ophthalmologists take the time to explain each diagnosis in clear, simple terms and discuss all available treatment options. We encourage questions, so you can make educated decisions about your eye care treatment with confidence.

All the specialists use cutting edge, proven technology and strive to provide you with high quality care.

HAWTHORN EYE CLINIC
Learn more about refractive eye surgery for short-sightedness, long-sightedness and abnormally curved cornea:

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our frequently asked questions section to find answers to common questions about refractive surgery including:

  • Do I need refractive eye surgery?

  • How long does refractive eye surgery take?

  • Is refractive surgery painful?

  • How much does refractive surgery cost?

  • Can refractive eye problems return?

  • What are the risks of refractive eye surgery?

  • How long until I can drive after refractive eye surgery?

  • How long until I can undertake everyday activities after surgery?

Types of refractive eye problems?

Refractive eye problems, also known as refractive errors, occur when the eye does not bend (refract) light correctly, causing it to focus improperly on the retina.

Refractive eye errors include:

Myopia (Short-Sightedness) – Myopia makes distant objects appear blurry, while close objects remain clear. It occurs when the eye is too long or the cornea is too steep, causing light to focus in front of the retina.

Hyperopia (Long-Sightedness) – Hyperopia causes difficulty focusing on nearby objects, and in some cases distance vision can also become blurred over time. This happens when the eye is too short, or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina.

Astigmatism – Astigmatism results in blurred or distorted vision at all distances. It is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, which prevents light from focusing evenly on the retina.

Presbyopia (Age-Related Near Vision Loss) – Presbyopia is a natural ,age-related condition where the eye loses its ability to focus on close objects. It occurs as the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible over time.

Refractive Vision Errors

What are the causes/risks of refractive eye problems

Refractive eye problems occur when light entering the eye is not focused correctly onto the retina, due to the shape or structure of the eye.

Causes and risks of refractive eye problems include:

1. Eyeball Length (Too long or too short) – The length of the eyeball plays a major role in how light is focused.

  • Eye too long → light focuses in front of the retina (myopia – short-sightedness).
  • Eye too short → light focuses behind the retina (hyperopia – long-sightedness).

2. Corneal Shape Irregularities – The cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) should be smooth and evenly curved.

  • If the cornea is too steep or too flat, vision becomes blurred.
  • If the cornea is unevenly shaped, it causes astigmatism (distorted vision).

3. Age-Related Changes (Presbyopia) – As we age, the natural lens inside the eye becomes less flexible.

  • This reduces the eye’s ability to focus on close objects
  • Typically begins after age 40

4. Genetics (Family history) – Refractive errors often run in families.

  • If parents have myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, there is a higher chance their children will develop similar conditions.

5. Changes in the Eye’s Lens – The lens inside the eye helps fine-tune focus.

  • Loss of flexibility – presbyopia
  • Clouding of the lens – cataracts (can also affect vision clarity)

6. Environmental & Lifestyle Factors – Certain habits may influence the development or progression of refractive errors:

  • Prolonged screen use or near (close up) work
  • Limited time spent outdoors (especially in children)
  • Visual strain over time

What are the symptoms of refractive issues and how can they affect vision?

Refractive eye problems affect how clearly you see, and can vary depending on the type of condition.

Symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision (at distance, near, or both)

  • Difficulty seeing at night, especially when driving

  • Glare, halos, or starbursts around lights

  • Squinting to see more clearly

  • Eye strain or discomfort, particularly after reading or screen use

  • Headaches, often caused by visual strain

  • Fluctuating vision throughout the day.

How are refractive eye problems diagnosed?

Refractive eye problems are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination, performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. These tests assess how well your eyes focus light and identify the type and severity of the refractive error. Tests may include:

Diagnostic test Description
Orthoptic Examination: Assessment of visual acuity, stereo-vision, double-vision, ocular motility and size of eye-turn.
Slit Lamp Exam: A microscope examination to assess the general health of the eye and retina.
Cycloplegic Retinoscopy: Usually for children, cyclopentolate eye drops temporarily dilate the pupil and relax the eye’s focusing muscles, allowing a more accurate refraction measurement.
Additional Testing: Using the IOL Master to accurately measure the length of the eye in cases of short-sightedness..
cataract diagnosis

These tests help ensure an accurate diagnosis and help determine the safest and most effective treatment options available for your diagnosis.

Refractive Surgery Melbourne

If you have any questions about refractive eye treatments, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

How are refractive eye problems treated?

Refractive eye Treatments & Surgery

Refractive eye problems can be effectively treated using a range of options, depending on your vision needs, eye health, and lifestyle. Treatments aim to improve how light is focused onto the retina, with the goal of clearer vision.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Glasses and contact lenses – Glasses and contact lenses are the simplest and most common way to correct refractive errors.

Surgical Treatments

For patients who want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses, several surgical options are available:

Laser Eye Surgery including:

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis): LASIK is a laser eye procedure that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. A thin flap is created, the underlying tissue is treated with a laser, and the flap is repositioned to heal naturally.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): PRK is a type of laser eye surgery that corrects vision by reshaping the surface of the cornea. The thin outer layer of the cornea is removed, and a laser is used to improve how light focuses on the retina.

It is a safe and effective option, particularly for patients with thinner corneas,

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): SMILE is a minimally invasive laser eye procedure that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea. A small piece of tissue is created within the cornea using a laser and removed through a tiny incision.

Lens based procedures:

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) – RLE is a procedure that replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens to correct vision.

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL): ICL surgery involves placing a thin, clear lens inside the eye to correct vision without removing the natural lens. The lens sits behind the iris and works like a permanent contact lens.

Photorefractive Keratectomy Surgery (PRK)

PRK is a day procedure performed under local anaesthetic eye drops. The eye is kept open with a small device while the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium) is gently removed. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue, with the laser treatment itself taking around 30 seconds. During this time, you are asked to keep your eye still and focus on a target light.

After surgery, the eye is usually uncomfortable for 24 to 48 hours due to the removal of the surface layer. Pain relief and lubricating eye drops are prescribed to help manage recovery, and rest is important during this early healing phase.

Vision is blurred initially but gradually improves over several weeks, with most patients noticing steady improvement over 1 to 2 months. Final visual stability may take a few months.

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LISK)

LASIK is a day procedure performed under local anaesthetic eye drops. A suction ring is used to stabilise and gently flatten the cornea, after which a thin flap is created and lifted. The laser is then used to reshape the corneal tissue according to your prescription, with the treatment taking around 30 seconds, before the flap is repositioned to heal naturally.

After surgery, a protective eye shield is placed over the eye, and mild irritation for a few hours is common. Patients are advised to rest and use prescribed eye drops to support healing and reduce dryness.

Vision typically improves very quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours, with rapid visual stabilisation over the following days.

Refractive surgery useful facts

Who is it for – Refractive surgery may be recommended for:

Myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.

Outpatient/day procedure – Most refractive surgeries are performed as a day procedure, meaning most patients can go home the same day.

How long does the surgery take? – The procedure itself usually takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on patient specific circumstances.

Anaesthesia & pain management – The team will aim to make the procedure pain free. Numbing eye drops and local anaesthetic are used before and during the operation so you won’t feel the surgery. You may be given intravenous sedation to help you relax. Most people experience little to no discomfort and may not remember the operation.

You’ll be awake during the surgery – You won’t see or feel any of the surgical procedure in your eye. Intravenous sedation will keep you relaxed.

After the surgery/eye protection – To prevent minor trauma, your doctor will recommend wearing an eye shield or patch after the procedure.

Frequently asked questions about refractive eye surgery?

You may be a suitable candidate for refractive eye surgery if you would like to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses and have a stable vision prescription.

Refractive surgery may be considered if you:

  • Have myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism, or presbyopia
  • Are over 18 years of age
  • Have had stable vision for at least 12 months
  • Have healthy eyes and suitable corneal thickness
  • Find glasses or contact lenses inconvenient for work, sport, or lifestyle activities

A comprehensive eye examination is required to determine whether refractive surgery is appropriate for you. Your ophthalmologist will assess your suitability and discuss the results and options available to you.

Refractive eye surgery is generally not painful, as the eyes are numbed using local anaesthetic eye drops during the procedure. Most patients may feel mild pressure or slight discomfort, but not pain.

Recovery discomfort depends on the type of procedure performed. Temporary symptoms after surgery may include:

  • Watery or irritated eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Mild burning or gritty sensation
  • Blurred vision during early recovery

These symptoms typically improve as the eyes heal, and prescribed eye drops and medications help keep patients comfortable throughout recovery.

Refractive surgery provides long-lasting vision correction for most patients, however changes in vision can still occur over time.

In some cases, refractive errors may gradually return or change due to:

  • Natural ageing of the eye
  • Changes in the shape of the cornea
  • Progression of short-sightedness (myopia)
  • Development of presbyopia after age 40
  • Cataract formation later in life

How long does the surgery take? – The procedure itself usually takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on patient specific circumstances.

As with any surgery, refractive surgery comes with risks. Your ophthalmologist will discuss the risks with you in relation to your unique diagnosis.

Potential risks may include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Inflammation
  • Changes in vision
  • Eye pressure that is too low or remains too high

Serious complications are uncommon, and your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits with you before proceeding.

The quality of care here is Australia is very high. We have seen patients who had their surgery performed overseas with good results but we also have seen other patients with complications that needed further surgeries to fix it.

 

As a general rule, if you are younger than 40 years of age, most likely yes.  After the age of forty, whether you had the surgery before at some stage, you will more than likely need to wear glasses for reading.

One way to eliminate the need to wear glasses for near work is to plan surgery on one eye to be good for distance and the other eye to be good for near work. This arrangement is referred to as “mono-vision”. This does not suit everyone.

If you are considering this option, we strongly recommend you try it first with contact lenses, or glasses for about 2 months before committing yourself to this surgical option.

This will vary from person to person and is best assessed by your ophthalmologist.

This will vary from person to person and is best assessed by your ophthalmologist to when you can undertake specific activities such as:

  • Driving
  • Exercising – Swimming, lifting objects
  • Wearing eye makeup
  • Bending over
  • Return to work or other activities.
Refractive Eye Surgery Melbourne

If you have any questions about refractive surgery, appointment bookings, location or opening hours, visit:

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