Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK & PRK) in Cape Town

 

Laser refractive eye surgery is a treatment that reshapes the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye — to change how light is focused onto the retina. Dr Zoran Aleksic consults on laser eye surgery patients at his rooms in Sea Point, Cape Town, with LASIK and PRK performed using a Nidek excimer laser platform at Peninsula Eye Clinic (PEC), a dedicated laser suite within Life Peninsula Eye Hospital in Claremont. PEC also houses other laser treatments, including corneal cross-linking (CXL), YAG, Argon, and SLT lasers, for other eye conditions.

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What Laser Eye Surgery Treats

Laser eye surgery corrects common refractive errors — conditions where the shape of the eye or cornea prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina:

• Short-sightedness (myopia) — the eye is slightly too long, or the cornea too curved, so distant objects appear blurred while near vision stays clearer. The laser flattens the central cornea to correct this.

• Long-sightedness (hyperopia) — the eye is slightly too short, so both near and distant objects can appear out of focus, with near vision usually affected first. The laser steepens the central cornea to correct this.

• Astigmatism — the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball than a sphere, causing blurring at every distance. The laser smooths out this irregular curve.

Many patients have a combination of these, and treatment is planned to address whichever combination applies to your eyes.

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LASIK vs PRK: What's the Difference?

Two techniques are available: LASIK (Laser-Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). In LASIK, a thin flap of corneal tissue is lifted, the laser reshapes the tissue underneath, and the flap is repositioned — this allows for a faster, more comfortable recovery. In PRK, the laser treatment is applied directly to the corneal surface without creating a flap; healing takes a little longer, but PRK is often the better option for patients with thinner corneas or those who play contact sports, such as rugby or boxing, where a corneal flap carries more risk. Which technique suits you best depends on your corneal thickness, refractive error, and lifestyle, and will be discussed with you during a consultation. Both eyes are usually treated in the same session.

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What Happens Before Surgery

Before your surgery, a comprehensive eye examination is conducted at our Sea Point rooms during your first consultation, to confirm you're a suitable candidate and rule out any pre-existing eye conditions. This includes corneal topography, a detailed scan that maps the shape of your cornea and is used to plan your treatment — typically done 1–2 weeks before your scheduled surgery date.

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A few things to prepare in advance:

• Contact lenses: stop wearing soft contact lenses at least 2 days before both your assessment and your surgery, and hard or rigid gas-permeable lenses at least 3 weeks before each. Contact lenses can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea, which would affect the accuracy of your measurements and treatment.

• Medications: certain prescription medications — including isotretinoin (Roaccutane), oral or topical steroids, and retinoic acid — can interfere with healing and surgical outcomes. Please tell your surgeon about all medications you're taking before your procedure is scheduled.

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What Happens on the Day of Surgery

On arrival, you'll check in at the Laser Suite reception within the Life Peninsula Eye Hospital complex — a separate, dedicated reception area from the main hospital, with a waiting area and nearby coffee shop if you arrive early. The procedure itself is performed under topical anaesthetic (numbing eye drops), so it is not painful, though LASIK involves a few seconds of pressure while the flap is created. A mild sedative can be offered if you feel anxious. Treating both eyes typically takes around 25–30 minutes, with about 90 minutes spent at the clinic in total. You will need someone to drive you home afterwards, as you won't be able to drive yourself.

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Recovery After LASIK and PRK

With LASIK, vision often starts improving within 24 hours; with PRK, improvement typically takes one to two weeks. It's normal for vision to fluctuate in the first few weeks after either procedure. Dry eyes are a common and usually temporary side effect, managed with lubricating drops. Some patients notice glare or haloes around lights at night, particularly in the first few months, which generally settles with time.

You'll wear a protective eye shield while sleeping for the first couple of nights, and will need to avoid swimming and eye makeup for a period during healing. Contact sports need particular care: PRK patients are generally advised to avoid them for around 6 weeks, while LASIK patients are usually advised to avoid contact sports permanently, since the corneal flap remains a lifelong point of vulnerability to impact. Most LASIK patients return to normal activities, including work, within a day or two; PRK patients generally need a few extra days, since surface healing takes a little longer. You'll also need to stay within the Cape Metro area for at least two weeks after each surgery, so you're available for your early follow-up visits.

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What Laser Eye Surgery Can and Can't Do

The goal is to reduce or remove your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, but a perfect result without any corrective lenses can't be guaranteed — some patients still need glasses for certain tasks, or a further enhancement procedure. Laser eye surgery does not treat presbyopia, the natural age-related loss of near focus most people experience from their mid-40s onward. Patients primarily looking to reduce dependence on glasses at this stage of life may want to discuss multifocal lens surgery as an alternative during their consultation. The procedure also doesn't treat or prevent other eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, which can still develop independently of your refractive surgery.

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Is Laser Eye Surgery Right for You?

Laser eye surgery is elective, and glasses, contact lenses, or lens-based procedures such as ICL (performed at Life Peninsula Eye Hospital) remain valid alternatives if surgery isn't right for you. Suitable candidates generally have healthy eyes free of active infection, a refractive prescription that has been stable for at least a year, and no degenerative or autoimmune conditions that could affect healing. Certain conditions — including keratoconus, uncontrolled autoimmune or vascular disease, immune suppression, or pregnancy — may mean you're not a suitable candidate, and this will be assessed during your consultation. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, ranging from common and temporary effects like dryness or glare, to rare complications that can affect vision; your surgeon will go through these with you in detail before you decide whether to proceed.

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Follow-Up Care

Follow-up visits for corneal monitoring are included for 12 months after your procedure, typically starting the day after surgery, with further checks over the following weeks and months as your surgeon advises. Any enhancement treatment needed within that 12-month period is also covered.

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Medical Aid and Cost

Laser eye surgery is considered a cosmetic or elective procedure by most medical aid schemes, and is generally not covered. It's best to confirm your specific scheme's position before your consultation, and our rooms can provide a cost estimate on request.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between laser eye surgery and cataract surgery?

They treat different things. Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism in eyes without cataracts. Cataract surgery removes the eye's clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial one. If you're over the age of presbyopia and want reduced dependence on glasses, a multifocal lens implant is generally the more relevant option rather than laser treatment.

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Do you offer SMILE or Presbyond?

No — we offer LASIK and PRK, performed using a Nidek excimer laser platform. Both are well-established techniques with a long safety record; your surgeon can discuss which is best suited to your eyes during a consultation.

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How soon can I travel after laser eye surgery?

We ask patients to remain within the Cape Metro area for at least two weeks after surgery, so you're available for the early follow-up visits that are important for monitoring healing.

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When can I exercise after laser eye surgery?

Light activity can usually resume within a day or two once your eyes feel comfortable, but strenuous exercise should be avoided for 2–4 days to give your body's energy toward healing. Swimming and other water-based activity should wait about 2 weeks. Contact sports need extra care: PRK patients are generally advised to wait around 6 weeks, while LASIK patients are usually advised to avoid contact sports permanently, since the corneal flap remains a lifelong point of vulnerability to impact. Your surgeon can give you guidance specific to your recovery at your follow-up visits.

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If you'd like to find out whether LASIK or PRK is suitable for your eyes, book a consultation with Dr Zoran Aleksic at The Eye Surgery in Sea Point. You can also read patient reviews online.

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