Laser eye surgery and lens surgery: what the NHS says
Why it is done, when it is available on the NHS, what happens, recovery, the common side effects and the complications to weigh up before paying for it.
Why it is done
Laser eye surgery and lens surgery correct eyesight problems such as astigmatism, short-sightedness and long-sightedness, or treat conditions which can lead to loss of vision, such as diabetic retinopathy, complications after cataract surgery, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. There are several types, and which suits you depends on your age and eye health.
When the NHS pays
Laser eye surgery and lens surgery are not usually offered on the NHS. You may get laser surgery on the NHS if you have an eye condition which could lead to loss of vision, including blindness, or problems with your sight which cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. Surgery to stop wearing glasses is private, and prices and quality vary. Ask whether the surgeon is a registered ophthalmologist and read the Royal College of Ophthalmologists patient guides first.
What happens
Before surgery you should have a consultation with the surgeon about what will happen on the day, what aftercare to expect and what to do if there are complications. The surgery is done in a hospital or eye clinic and usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with a local anaesthetic by drops or injection. Some laser types need a general anaesthetic. With laser surgery the surgeon reshapes the cornea. With lens surgery the surgeon puts an artificial lens in the eye. Both eyes are usually done on the same day, though some lens surgery is done on separate days.
Recovery
You can usually go home the same day. Follow the aftercare advice, use lubricant drops to keep the eye comfortable, and wear non-prescription sunglasses or goggles for a short while if advised. Do not drive home on the day, and do not drive at night until your eyes have recovered.
Side effects
Most people have some. The common ones are light scatter (glare, halos, floaters, starbursts and ghost images), blurred vision, sore eyes similar to dry eye, and red blotches on the white of the eye. They normally improve within a few months. Contact the clinic where you had the surgery if they do not.
See halos and glare in the explorerComplications
Risks vary between types and the surgeon must explain them before the procedure. The NHS lists: a detached retina, permanent serious loss of vision, needing a second operation (laser fine tuning, repositioning or replacing a lens), under-treatment or over-correction, age-related cataracts earlier than you would otherwise have had them, and posterior capsule opacification, where part of the lens capsule thickens and clouds vision. Some lens implants can be removed if they cause problems, and your vision and eye health then return to how they were before.
Get help from NHS 111 if
- Floaters suddenly appear or suddenly increase in number.
- You get flashes of light.
- A dark curtain or shadow moves across your vision.
- Your vision gets suddenly blurred.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Which type of surgery, and why this one for my eyes?
- What is my chance of needing glasses afterwards, and of a second operation?
- What is the aftercare, who do I call, and is it included in the price?
- What happens if there is a complication, and who treats it?
- Would my prescription or age make me a poor candidate?
Common questions
Can I get laser eye surgery on the NHS?
Not usually. It is normally only available privately. The NHS may offer it if you have an eye condition which could lead to loss of vision, or sight which cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
What are the common side effects?
Light scatter such as glare, halos, floaters, starbursts and ghost images, blurred vision, sore eyes like dry eye, and red blotches on the white of the eye. These normally improve within a few months.
What are the serious risks?
The NHS lists a detached retina, permanent serious loss of vision, needing a second operation, under or over correction, earlier cataracts, and posterior capsule opacification after lens surgery. Risks vary by type, and your surgeon must explain them before you agree.
Sources
Checked 4 October 2026. Official pages change, so follow the NHS page for the current position.
- Written by
- The Omnirx.io team, from the NHS pages above
- Sources checked
- Page updated
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Glanced (2026) Laser eye surgery and lens surgery: what the NHS says. Omnirx.io team for Medstack Ltd. Available at: https://www.glanced.co.uk/nhs/laser-eye-surgery/ (Accessed: ).
Educational information, not medical advice. Your own eye-care team's advice comes first.