Myopia is a refractive error that affects millions of people all over the world. In fact, the report “Myopia is growing around the world”, drafted by the International Myopia Institute, says that 30% of the population worldwide is currently shortsighted and that, by 2050, it will be almost 50%.
This condition makes it difficult to see objects at a distance clearly, which can impact both everyday and academic activities. Refractive surgery is a safe and effective solution to correct this problem, enabling young people to focus on their studies without suffering any of the discomfort of wearing glasses or contact lenses.
At Clínica Rahhal, in this article we explain everything you need to know before having surgery for myopia, the steps to take for laser eye surgery for myopia in Valencia and how to choose the best clinic for that.
In this video, Dr Alonso, an ophthalmologist at Clínica Rahhal, answers all the frequently asked questions about laser refractive surgery.
How is myopia corrected
If you have suffered from short-sightedness for some time, you will probably have considered how to correct myopia and the treatments available to do so. The first thing you need to do is see an ophthalmologist so that they can carry out a personalised assessment and recommend the most suitable treatment for your situation.
At Clínica Rahhal, we typically use three types of treatments to correct myopia:
Glasses or contact lenses
The most traditional treatment to correct myopia is the use of glasses or contact lenses, as they help to counteract the elongation of the eyeball or the curvature of the cornea.
However, this treatment tends to be more uncomfortable for patients, as they can hinder everyday activities and they need to be properly cared for and used.
Laser surgery
For over 25 years, laser eye surgery has become the top treatment to correct refractive errors such as myopia, as it removes the need to wear glasses or contact lenses in order to see properly.
Nowadays, there are different types of laser surgery to correct myopia and each type has a unique procedure. The main options are: LASIK, PRK/LASEK and ReLEx SMILE.
ICL intraocular lenses
Sometimes, some patients do not meet the requirements needed for refractive surgery and they opt for intraocular lenses as an alternative. For example, patients with very high myopia, corneal disease or dry eye disease.
At Clínica Rahhal, we work with phakic intraocular lenses, which can be inserted into the optical system with no need to replace or remove any structures. More specifically, we opt for ICL lenses to correct myopia as these are made of collamer and allow us to customise them for each eye and each individual.
Types of laser surgery for myopia
Our team at Clínica Rahhal has been performing laser eye surgery for myopia for over 25 years and we currently offer these three techniques to our patients:
- LASIK: This involves creating a corneal flap with a handheld device or using femtosecond laser. Excimer laser is subsequently applied from inside the stroma to remodel the cornea.
- PRK/LASEK: The anterior epithelium is removed and Excimer laser is applied to the stromal surface. A contact lens is then placed to cover the cornea and allow the epithelium to grow back.
- RELEX SMILE: This technique is performed entirely with femtosecond laser. It involves carrying out small incisions at different depths of the cornea to extract part of the stroma and reduce the cornea´s curvature.
What laser surgery for myopia involves
Laser eye surgery for myopia is performed using advanced technology that guarantees precision and effectiveness for patients, but before undergoing treatment, you will want to explore every detail of the procedure: whether tests are required beforehand, how long the procedure lasts, what the recovery process is like, etc.
To explain what laser eye surgery for myopia involves, we have divided the procedure into three stages:
Pre-operative stage
The first essential step before starting treatment is to see a specialised ophthalmologist so that they can carry out a full examination of your eyes and confirm that you are a suitable candidate for laser surgery for myopia. During this pre-operative examination, some basic tests are usually performed, such as visual acuity, refraction and a slit lamp examination of the anterior pole and back of the eye.
Once the ophthalmologist determines that you are a candidate for surgery, they will then perform an additional examination of the anterior segment of the eye to determine which laser technique is most suitable for you (LASIK, PRK/LASEK or ReLEX SMILE).
During this consultation, the ophthalmologist will also explain everything involved and any precautions to bear in mind before the day of the laser surgery. Here are some of the tips from Clínica Rahhal which we usually give our patients before laser eye surgery for myopia:
- Do not wear contact lenses for 15 days before the surgery.
- Do not wear make-up for two or three days before the surgery.
- Wash your hair beforehand so that you do not need to do so after the procedure.
- Use eye drops recommended by the doctor as a preventive therapy.
Laser surgery for myopia
Laser surgery for myopia involves a very simple procedure and it is carried out on an outpatient basis, with local anaesthesia and the patient remains awake throughout. So, once the surgery is over, the patient can return home on the same day on their own steam.
When you come to the clinic, the ophthalmologist will apply anaesthetic eye drops a few minutes before performing the procedure to desensitise the area and minimise any discomfort or pain during the process.
What’s more, the laser surgery for myopia will take only 5 minutes per eye approximately, so most patients take advantage of the same intervention to correct both eyes. However, the ophthalmologist will be the one to advise you on the best protocol for your situation in your pre-operative assessment.
Post-operative stage
Recovery after laser surgery for myopia is quick and simple, as you will leave the consultation room being able to see well and in just a few days you will recover full clarity of sight.
It does not usually cause any discomfort beyond a slight stinging sensation or dryness. However, to combat these mild symptoms, ophthalmologist will prescribe you with topical antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drops and moisturizing eye drops to keep the eye hydrated in the initial days following the surgery.
If you want to find out more about the post-operative stage, you can read our article “Post-operative care for recovery after surgery for myopia” or ask our team of specialised ophthalmologists.
How to choose a specialised clinic for your laser eye surgery for myopia in Valencia
Valencia has a wide variety of ophthalmology clinics that perform laser surgery to correct myopia, but how should you choose the right clinic?
Below are some guidelines about how to choose a specialised clinic for your laser eye surgery for myopia in Valencia:
- Medical insurance: it is important that the clinic collaborates with medical insurance providers to facilitate the financial side of matters or that it offers discounts or finance plans adapted to student needs.
- Experience: the best course of action is to choose a clinic with expertise in laser eye surgery for myopia to ensure reliability and good results. For example, Clínica Rahhal has gained a great deal of prestige for being pioneers in refractive surgery in Spain.
- Location: you should bear in mind where the clinic is located and how near it is to you. Ophthalmology clinics in the centre of Valencia are often more accessible as they are closer to public transport stops, or you can take advantage of the same visit to go to the shops or run any errands.
- Multilingual support: a clinic that provides a service in multiple languages not only ensures more effective communication and understanding of the treatments, but it also makes patients feel more comfortable and safe throughout the process. At Clínica Rahhal, we believe it is essential to have a multilingual team, especially as regards our ophthalmology service for international patients.
Cost of laser eye surgery for myopia
There is no set price for laser surgery for myopia as it varies according to multiple factors such as the clinic, the technique applied or the technology used. However, it is estimated that the average price in Spain for laser surgery for myopia is between 800-1000 euros per eye.
We know that the cost of laser surgery for myopia can be a significant factor to take into consideration before undergoing treatment. That’s why, at Clínica Rahhal, we offer a finance plan to make it more accessible for our patients to recover good vision.
Fill in our calculation sheet and get your customised finance plan:
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PRICE OF SURGERY
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PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT FEE 2.5%
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FIRST INSTALMENT
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REMAINING MONTHLY INSTALMENTS
Dr. Rahhal 
Medical content supervised by Dr. Rahhal
Degree in Medicine from the University of Valencia, specialising in ophthalmology at the La Fe Hospital Ophthalmology Department. She has written for numerous national and international publications in the field of research into ophthalmology conditions.
Book an appointment for your laser eye surgery for myopia in Valencia
Now that you are aware of all you need to know before having surgery for myopia, if you are interested in the procedure or you want more information about it, you can book an appointment at our Clínica Oftalmológica Rahhal for our medical team to assess your situation.
You can call us on +34 963527727 or provide us with your details in the form below and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible to give you more information or arrange an appointment with one of our specialists.
