Bladeless, femtosecond LASIK from a CertLRS-qualified consultant. The procedure takes around 15 minutes for both eyes. Most patients see clearly by the next morning.
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You know the routine. The alarm goes off, your hand reaches for the bedside table, and the day does not start until the glasses are on or the contact lenses are in. Showering without clear vision. Exercising with frames sliding. Travelling with a spare pair in every bag. It is a small inconvenience that shapes every single day.
LASIK changes that in around 15 minutes. It is one of the most commonly performed elective procedures in the world, backed by over 25 years of clinical evidence. At The Vision Surgeon, it is performed in Colchester by Mr Mukherjee, who holds the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery, a specific qualification for this procedure that not all surgeons performing LASIK hold.
The procedure uses two lasers in sequence: a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the cornea, and an excimer laser to reshape the tissue underneath. The flap is then repositioned. Here is what happens at each stage, including what you will see, feel, and hear.
LASIK is suitable for most adults aged 18 and over with a stable prescription and healthy corneas. The specific suitability criteria for LASIK (as distinct from other laser procedures) are:
Your prescription has been stable for at least 12 months. You have myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism, or a combination, within the treatable range. Your corneas are thick enough to safely create the flap and still leave adequate tissue for reshaping. You do not have active eye disease, severe untreated dry eye, keratoconus, or uncontrolled autoimmune conditions. You are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding, as hormonal changes can temporarily alter your prescription.
Mr Mukherjee's assessment includes corneal topography, pachymetry (thickness measurement), wavefront analysis, and a full review of your eye health. If any measurement falls outside the safe range for LASIK, he will explain why and recommend the procedure that fits.
Every surgical procedure carries risk. LASIK has one of the strongest safety profiles of any elective surgery, but you should understand the potential side effects before committing. Mr Mukherjee discusses each of these in relation to your specific eyes during the consultation.
Dry eye is the most common side effect. The flap creation temporarily disrupts corneal nerves that regulate tear production. Most patients experience some degree of dryness in the first 3 to 6 months, managed with lubricating drops. For the majority, normal tear function returns fully. Patients with pre-existing dry eye are assessed carefully, and LASIK may not be recommended if the condition is severe.
Halos and glare around lights can occur in the first few weeks, particularly when driving at night. These are caused by the healing cornea and typically resolve within 1 to 3 months as the surface stabilises.
Under-correction or over-correction occurs in a small number of cases. Less than 5% of patients may benefit from a minor enhancement procedure to fine-tune the result, usually performed after the eye has fully stabilised.
Flap complications are rare with modern femtosecond laser technology. The computer-controlled flap creation produces a more precise and uniform flap than older manual microkeratome methods, reducing the complication rate to below 1% in modern studies.
If your risk profile makes LASIK inadvisable for your cornea, Mr Mukherjee will tell you. TransPRK achieves equivalent long-term visual results without creating a flap, which makes it the safer option for patients with thinner corneas or those in occupations with a higher risk of eye trauma.
Not sure whether your eyes suit LASIK? The eligibility quiz gives a quick initial indication. For a definitive answer, the free consultation covers everything.
Take the Eligibility Quiz →Or call 01206 670712
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists awards the Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery to surgeons who have completed dedicated training and assessment in laser vision correction. Not every surgeon performing LASIK in the UK holds this certification. Mr Mukherjee does.
Flap creation uses a computer-controlled femtosecond laser, not a manual blade. This produces a more uniform flap with consistent thickness, which means faster healing and a lower complication rate compared to older microkeratome methods.
Your consultation, your LASIK procedure, and your aftercare appointments all take place at our Colchester Eye Centre. Some Essex clinics consult locally but refer patients to London for the laser itself. Here, everything stays under one roof.
If your corneal measurements make LASIK inadvisable, Mr Mukherjee can recommend (link: /transprk/ text: TransPRK), (link: /vision-correction/icl/ text: ICL), or (link: /lens-replacement-surgery/ text: lens replacement) in the same consultation. You are never pushed toward a procedure that does not fit your eyes.
Anaesthetic drops are applied to both eyes. You feel nothing from this point. A small device holds your eyelids open so you cannot blink. A suction ring is placed on the eye to hold it steady. You may feel mild pressure from the suction, lasting a few seconds. This preparation stage takes approximately 2 minutes per eye.
The femtosecond laser creates a thin, hinged flap in the outer layer of the cornea, approximately 100 microns thick. This is a bladeless, computer-controlled process. It takes roughly 10 seconds per eye. Your vision dims briefly while the laser works. You feel pressure but no pain. The flap is created with precise, consistent thickness because the laser is programmed to your exact corneal measurements taken during the assessment.
The flap is gently lifted and folded back. The excimer laser then reshapes the corneal tissue beneath, removing microscopic amounts of tissue to correct how light focuses on the retina. The laser is guided by wavefront measurements mapped during your assessment. An infrared eye-tracking system follows your eye in real time, so if your eye moves even slightly, the laser adjusts its position automatically. The reshaping takes approximately 15 to 30 seconds of active laser time per eye. You hear a soft clicking sound. You feel nothing.
The surgeon lays the flap back into its original position. It begins adhering to the underlying tissue within minutes. No stitches are needed. The corneal cells bond naturally. Protective shields are placed over your eyes, and you rest for a short period before going home the same day.
Recovery from LASIK is faster than most patients expect. Here is what to anticipate at each stage.
Day of Surgery
Rest at home with your eyes closed as much as possible. Your eyes may water, sting, or feel gritty for a few hours. Vision will be hazy but already improving. Use the prescribed antibiotic and lubricating drops as directed. Wear the protective shields when sleeping.
Day 1
Most patients notice markedly clearer vision by the morning. A follow-up appointment with Mr Mukherjee confirms that your flap is healing correctly. Many patients are comfortable driving by this point, confirmed during the check-up. Return to desk-based work is usually possible.
Week 1
Continue using drops as directed. Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, hot tubs, and dusty or smoky environments. Vision continues sharpening. Some patients notice mild halos around lights at night during this period, which is normal and temporary.
Month 1
Vision stabilises for most patients. Residual dryness, if present, is usually mild and managed with lubricating drops. A further follow-up appointment checks your progress.
3 to 6 Months
Final visual clarity is reached. Any remaining dry eye symptoms typically resolve. Halos and glare, if experienced at all, have usually faded completely. A final follow-up confirms the outcome.
LASIK at The Vision Surgeon costs between £1,400 and £1,800 per eye in 2026. The price depends on the complexity of your prescription.
This includes your initial consultation with Mr Mukherjee, the LASIK procedure itself, and all standard aftercare appointments. There are no hidden fees added after your quote.
For context, UK LASIK prices in 2026 range from approximately £1,300 per eye at high-volume chain clinics to over £3,000 per eye at premium London practices. The Vision Surgeon sits at the lower end of that range while offering consultant-led, CertLRS-qualified care with every procedure performed locally in Colchester.
Payment options are available, and the practice team can walk you through these during your consultation.
For a quote based on your specific prescription, the free consultation is the place to start.
Or call 01206 670712
No obligation. Your personalised quote is confirmed after your assessment.
Five years from now, the average glasses wearer in the UK will have spent another £1,500 to £2,500 on prescriptions, frames, solutions, and replacements, with no permanent change to their vision. LASIK is a one-time correction. The 15 minutes at our Colchester Eye Centre change the next decade and beyond. The free consultation tells you whether your eyes are suitable and what it would cost for your specific prescription.
No obligation. No pressure. Just a clear answer about your suitability.
