Eye surgery in Switzerland: the guide to procedures

Eye surgery covers very different procedures: correcting short-sightedness to stop wearing glasses, operating on a cataract that clouds vision, replacing the lens with an implant that also corrects presbyopia, treating keratoconus or glaucoma. In Switzerland, these procedures are performed by ophthalmologists in university hospitals, cantonal hospitals, a specialist eye hospital in Lausanne and many clinics and practices. This guide presents the main procedures, explains what is and is not covered by insurance, and helps you choose where and how to have surgery.

Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, corrects vision problems so that you can do without glasses; it is considered cosmetic for insurance purposes and remains at the patient's expense. Cataract surgery, on the other hand, is a basic insurance benefit when the cataract impairs vision; only so-called premium implants, which also correct presbyopia or astigmatism, involve an extra cost. The choice depends on age, the condition of the eyes and expectations. A complete eye assessment is always the first step.

The eye works like a camera. Light first passes through the cornea, a transparent, curved window at the front of the eye, which does most of the focusing. It then passes through the pupil, whose diameter the iris adjusts according to the light, then through the lens, a flexible lens that can change shape to focus at distance and near. Finally, it crosses the vitreous, a clear gel that fills the eyeball, before reaching the retina, the light-sensitive film that converts light into signals sent to the brain by the optic nerve.

Each procedure targets one of these structures. Understanding their role helps explain why some operations correct vision and others preserve it, and why the assessment before any procedure examines the eye as a whole.

These problems can combine: a short-sighted person becomes presbyopic like everyone else, and a long-sighted person may have astigmatism. Glasses and contact lenses correct them all; surgery is for those who want to reduce their dependence on these corrections, or those whose eye has a disease that requires it. Prescriptions give the correction in dioptres: a negative figure for myopia, a positive one for hyperopia, and a cylinder for astigmatism.

A long-sighted person has an eye that is too short: when young, they often compensate without realising thanks to the flexibility of their lens, at the cost of eye strain and headaches. With age, this compensation decreases, and near and then distance vision blur earlier than in others, often from the forties. Laser corrects low hyperopia well, but with a higher risk of regression than for myopia. For higher hyperopia after fifty, lens replacement is often proposed, as it corrects both hyperopia and presbyopia, and reduces the risk of angle-closure glaucoma, which is more common in long-sighted people.

In children, significant hyperopia can cause a convergent squint or amblyopia; it must be detected and corrected early with glasses. Many long-sighted children nevertheless see the board well, which sometimes delays diagnosis: headaches or fatigue when reading should prompt an examination.

Astigmatism is very common: a small amount is present in most people and goes unnoticed. When more marked, it distorts images at all distances, causes eye strain and headaches, and makes night vision less sharp. It is corrected with cylindrical spectacle lenses, toric or rigid contact lenses, by laser in adults with a stable prescription, or with a toric implant during lens surgery. Astigmatism that increases rapidly, particularly in a young person, should prompt a search for keratoconus with corneal topography.

During cataract surgery, correcting significant astigmatism clearly improves the quality of vision without glasses. This is one of the situations where a premium implant brings a concrete benefit, even though its extra cost generally remains at the patient's expense.

Laser refractive surgery

The laser reshapes the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. Several techniques exist: LASIK, with a thin corneal flap; surface techniques, without a flap; small-incision techniques. The choice depends on the thickness and shape of the cornea. See our page on LASIK in Switzerland.

Phakic implants

When myopia is very high or the cornea is too thin for laser, an implant can be placed in the eye in front of the natural lens, which is kept.

Cataract surgery

The clouded lens is removed through a small incision and replaced with a clear implant. It is one of the most commonly performed procedures in Switzerland, under local anaesthesia, as day surgery. See our page on cataract surgery in Switzerland.

Intraocular lenses

During cataract surgery or lens replacement, the implant can be monofocal, for sharp vision at one distance, or multifocal, extended depth-of-focus or toric, to reduce dependence on glasses. See our page on intraocular lenses in Switzerland.

Keratoconus

This progressive distortion of the cornea can be stabilised by cross-linking, which stiffens the cornea, then corrected with special contact lenses or intracorneal ring segments.

Glaucoma

It damages the optic nerve, often without symptoms at first. It is treated first with eye drops or laser, and sometimes with surgery that helps fluid drain from the eye.

Between eighteen and forty

To do without glasses, laser refractive surgery is the most common option, if vision has been stable for at least a year and the cornea is suitable. High myopia may call for a phakic implant.

Between forty-five and sixty

Presbyopia appears. Laser can partly compensate for it, for example by setting one eye for near vision. Replacing the lens with a multifocal implant is another option, especially if a cataract is starting.

After sixty

Cataract is common. Its surgery, covered by insurance, is an opportunity to choose an implant that also reduces dependence on glasses, at an extra cost.

At any age

Glaucoma, retinal disease or keratoconus require medical management before any elective surgery.

Myopia is increasing sharply in the population, particularly among young people, which is partly attributed to time spent looking at things close up and lack of time outdoors. It often appears at school age and increases until the end of growth. High myopia later carries a risk of certain retinal complications, hence the value of slowing its progression.

Several measures exist: spending more time outdoors, taking breaks during close work and, depending on the ophthalmologist's advice, specific spectacle or contact lenses, or low-dose eye drops. Refractive surgery is not performed in children: it is delayed until myopia is stable, generally after twenty. Children's glasses are partly covered by basic insurance under the conditions in force.

In children, time spent close up on screens and lack of time outdoors are associated with the development of myopia. It is recommended to limit screen time according to age, take regular breaks, hold devices at a good distance and above all spend time outdoors every day, as natural light appears to protect against myopia. A child who squints, gets closer to screens or complains of headaches should be examined.

Presbyopia affects everyone from forty or forty-five. The lens becomes less flexible and can no longer focus close up. Reading or varifocal glasses and multifocal contact lenses remain the simplest solutions. For those who want to do without them, several surgical approaches exist, each with its trade-offs.

None of these solutions restores the flexibility of a twenty-year-old eye. The choice depends on age, the condition of the lens, occupation and tolerance of the light effects of some implants. Our page on intraocular lenses details the implants.

After forty, presbyopia begins and changes the picture. A laser that perfectly corrects myopia for distance vision forces a forty-five-year-old short-sighted person, who used to read by taking off their glasses, to wear reading glasses. This is important information to factor into the decision. Laser monovision is an alternative for reading and seeing at a distance. After fifty, or if a cataract is starting, lens replacement often becomes a more lasting option, as it avoids future cataract surgery.

Before considering refractive surgery, it is worth remembering that contact lenses correct most vision problems, including presbyopia with multifocal lenses. They suit many people, particularly for sport. Their drawbacks are care, the risk of infection with poor hygiene, dryness and intolerance that sometimes develops over the years.

Rigid or scleral lenses are also an essential treatment for keratoconus and some irregular corneas. Fitting by a specialist ophthalmologist or optometrist is essential. Never sleep in lenses not designed for it, do not rinse them with tap water and do not swim in them, because of the risk of serious infection.

Coloured or novelty contact lenses, sometimes sold without advice, carry the same risks as corrective lenses, and even more when they are poorly fitted or poorly maintained: corneal infections, ulcers, allergic reactions. They must be fitted by a professional, never shared, and removed in the event of redness or pain. Cosmetic iris procedures, such as coloured iris implants, are dangerous and strongly advised against.

Corneal infections, or keratitis, are the most feared complication of contact lens wear. They are encouraged by unplanned overnight wear, contact with tap, pool or lake water, and inadequate care. Some, caused by amoebae present in water, are particularly serious. Pain, redness, sensitivity to light and reduced vision in a contact lens wearer require removing the lenses and seeking advice the same day, taking the lenses and case with you.

Glasses remain the simplest and safest correction. After forty, varifocal lenses allow you to see at all distances, with an adaptation period of a few days to a few weeks. Specific screen or "office" lenses offer a wider field at intermediate distance. Proper fitting by the optician is essential for comfort. For children, basic insurance contributes to the cost of lenses under the conditions in force; for adults, any contribution depends on supplementary insurance.

Orthokeratology uses special rigid lenses worn overnight, which temporarily reshape the cornea to allow clear vision during the day without correction. The effect is reversible: it disappears within a few days if you stop wearing them. This technique is also used in children to slow the progression of myopia. It requires impeccable hygiene and regular follow-up, as overnight wear increases the risk of infection. It is not covered by basic insurance.

These techniques correct myopia, astigmatism and, within certain limits, hyperopia. The choice depends on the thickness and shape of the cornea, the prescription, dry eye, occupation and leisure activities. Our page on LASIK in Switzerland details the best-known technique.

Results also depend on the quality of the assessment, the technique and each eye's own healing. A touch-up is needed in a minority of patients. It is important to bear in mind that presbyopia will appear at around forty-five, even after a successful laser treatment.

For presbyopic people aged forty-five to fifty-five without cataract, monovision involves correcting the dominant eye for distance vision and the other eye for near or intermediate vision. The brain learns to use the eye suited to each distance. It allows reading and distance vision without glasses in most situations, at the cost of a slight loss of depth perception and night sharpness. A prior trial with contact lenses checks that you tolerate it. It can be reversed with a touch-up if it does not suit you.

Before any laser, an in-depth assessment checks that the eye is suitable and the prescription stable. It includes precise measurement of vision, corneal topography and tomography, which detect a cornea that is too thin or early distortion such as keratoconus, measurement of the pupil, tear assessment, examination of the back of the eye and measurement of eye pressure. Contact lenses must be removed a few days to a few weeks beforehand, as they temporarily distort the cornea.

This assessment may conclude that laser is not the best option and point towards an implant or continuing with glasses. A reputable centre does not hesitate to advise against the procedure when the eye is not suitable.

The assessment

Myopia of minus four, stable for three years, thick and regular cornea. Lenses removed a week beforehand.

The day

Both eyes treated in about fifteen minutes. Blurred vision, watering and a gritty feeling in the evening.

The next day

Check-up: clear vision without glasses. Drops several times a day.

The first week

Back to screen work with artificial tears. Halos around headlights at night.

Three months

Vision stable, halos almost gone, slight dryness at the end of the day.

After refractive surgery, check-ups in the first few months verify healing and stability of the correction. After that, no specific follow-up is needed, but regular eye check-ups remain recommended as for everyone, particularly to screen for glaucoma after forty. Always tell ophthalmologists you consult about your surgery, as it changes the measurement of eye pressure and the calculation of a future cataract implant.

• People under eighteen to twenty, or whose prescription is not stable.
• Corneas that are too thin or irregular, particularly with keratoconus.
• Severe, uncontrolled dry eye.
• Certain general diseases that impair healing.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as the prescription may fluctuate.
• Very high prescriptions, often better treated with an implant.
• People with unrealistic expectations.

Not all these situations close the door: a phakic implant, lens replacement or partial correction can be discussed. The assessment allows the situation to be reviewed.

Reflection

Tired of glasses or contact lenses, wanting freedom for sport or travel.

First contact

Information meeting at a centre, sometimes free.

The assessment

One to two hours of tests, after stopping contact lenses.

The proposal

A suitable technique, or referral to another solution if laser is not appropriate.

Reflection

A few days to a few weeks, possibly a second opinion.

The procedure and follow-up

A few minutes in theatre, then check-ups for three months.

When myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism are too high for laser, or the cornea is too thin, an implant can be placed inside the eye, in front of the natural lens, without removing it. The lens continues to focus, which suits young patients. The implant is invisible, cannot be felt and can be removed if necessary. Regular follow-up checks eye pressure and corneal health. See our page on intraocular lenses.

Cataract usually develops slowly after sixty. The signs are vision that becomes hazy, colours that look dull or yellowed, glare from headlights at night or from the sun, myopia that increases rapidly, and the need to change glasses often without real improvement. It can also appear earlier in diabetics, after cortisone treatment or injury, or in highly short-sighted people.

There is no ideal stage to wait for: surgery is performed when the problem affects daily life, reading, driving or leisure. The procedure, which takes about twenty minutes per eye under anaesthetic eye drops, is one of the most common and safest in medicine. It is covered by basic insurance with a standard implant. See our page on cataract surgery.

All these forms are treated by the same procedure: replacing the lens with an implant. The type of cataract mainly influences the nature of the difficulty and when it becomes disabling.

The assessment

Measurement of the length of the eye and the curvature of the cornea to calculate the implant, examination of the retina, discussion of the choice of implant and target vision.

The day

Drops to dilate the pupil and numb the eye, sometimes light sedation. The procedure takes about twenty minutes; you lie down, awake, and see a light.

Going home

Shield over the eye, home accompanied a few hours later. Drops to be used several times a day for several weeks.

The next day

First check-up: vision is often already clearly improved.

The second eye

Generally operated on a few days to a few weeks later.

Glasses

Prescribed once vision is stable, if necessary.

Our page on intraocular lenses details these choices and the situations in which each implant is most suitable.

After the operation, many patients are struck by the brightness and vividness of colours, as the clouded lens previously acted as a yellow filter. Night glare decreases, driving becomes more comfortable, and reading easier with suitable glasses. Patients who were very short-sighted may discover distance vision without glasses. An adaptation period of a few days is common, especially between the operations on the two eyes, when the difference between them is significant.

The finding

At seventy-four, glare at night and dull colours; she no longer feels safe at the wheel.

The assessment

Cataract in both eyes; choice of standard implants, covered by insurance, with reading glasses.

The first eye

Twenty minutes under anaesthetic eye drops. The next day, colours look vivid.

The second eye

Operated on a week later.

One month

Clear distance vision, back to driving, reading glasses prescribed.

The pathway often starts with the family doctor or regular ophthalmologist, who finds the cataract and assesses the problem. The patient is then referred to a cataract surgeon, in a practice, clinic or hospital. The pre-operative assessment is carried out at a dedicated consultation, then both eyes are operated on a few days or weeks apart. Follow-up can then be taken over by the regular ophthalmologist. Waiting times vary between regions and facilities, from a few weeks to a few months. Patients can choose their facility, taking into account the coverage rules and their insurance.

For laser refractive surgery, treating both eyes on the same day is the rule, as the risk of infection is very low and recovery quick. For cataract, most centres operate on one eye, then the other a few days or weeks later. Some offer same-day bilateral surgery to selected patients, with strict separate sterility precautions for each eye. It reduces travel and the period of imbalance between the two eyes, but rules out adjusting the second eye according to the result of the first.

After LASIK or surface ablation, the shape of the cornea has been changed, which makes it more difficult to calculate the implant power for future cataract surgery. Ophthalmologists have specific methods, but precision is slightly lower. Measurements taken before the laser, if kept, greatly improve this calculation. That is why it is important to keep a copy of your refractive surgery file throughout your life.

Keratoconus is a disease in which the cornea gradually thins and becomes distorted into a cone shape. It generally appears in adolescence or young adulthood and progresses until about thirty or forty. It causes blurred, distorted vision, increasing astigmatism, sensitivity to light and frequent changes of glasses. Rubbing the eyes, particularly with allergies, encourages its progression.

Screening relies on corneal topography, carried out notably during the assessment before refractive laser: early keratoconus is a contraindication to LASIK, which could worsen it. Young people who often change prescription or whose astigmatism is increasing should talk to their ophthalmologist.

Cross-linking is a treatment that strengthens the cornea to slow or stop the progression of keratoconus. After riboflavin (a vitamin) drops are applied, the cornea is exposed to ultraviolet light for a few minutes, which creates additional bonds between the collagen fibres and makes it stiffer. The procedure is performed under anaesthetic eye drops, as day surgery.

Depending on the technique used, the first few days can be painful and vision blurred for a few weeks. Cross-linking does not correct existing distortion, but usually stops its progression. It is all the more useful when performed early, in a patient whose keratoconus is progressing. Insurance coverage is discussed according to the indications; check with your insurer.

Keratoconus often begins in adolescence and can progress rapidly at this age. An adolescent whose astigmatism increases from one year to the next, who tolerates their glasses poorly or rubs their eyes a lot, particularly because of allergies, should have corneal topography. In the case of progressive keratoconus, cross-linking is often proposed quickly to preserve vision. Combating eye rubbing, by treating the allergy, is an essential part of treatment.

The diagnosis

At nineteen, rapidly increasing astigmatism; topography shows progressive keratoconus.

The procedure

One hour under anaesthetic eye drops, bandage contact lens fitted at the end.

The first three days

Pain, watering and strong sensitivity to light, relieved by painkillers.

One month

Vision still fluctuating, drops continued.

One year

Topography shows a stabilised cornea. Rigid contact lenses give excellent vision.

Thanks to cross-linking and modern contact lenses, corneal transplantation has become much rarer in keratoconus. Partial transplants, which only replace the affected layers, have improved results and reduced the risk of rejection.

When the cornea has become opaque or too distorted, following disease, infection or injury, a transplant can restore its transparency. Current techniques often replace only the diseased layer, at the front or back of the cornea, which reduces the risk of rejection and speeds up recovery. Grafts come from deceased donors, via corneal banks. Visual recovery takes several months, and long-term follow-up is needed to detect rejection, which can be treated if caught early.

Fuchs' dystrophy is a disease of the innermost layer of the cornea, whose cells pump out water to keep it transparent. With age, these cells decrease, the cornea swells and becomes cloudy, especially on waking, then throughout the day. The disease is often hereditary and mainly affects women over fifty. At advanced stages, a partial transplant of the inner layer of the cornea restores its transparency with quick recovery. When a cataract coexists, the two procedures can be combined or planned together.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, most often linked to excessive pressure in the eye, which gradually destroys the nerve fibres. In its most common form, it causes no symptoms for years: the visual field slowly narrows from the periphery without the person noticing. The damage is irreversible, hence the importance of screening.

The risk increases with age, family history, high myopia and certain ethnic backgrounds. A check-up with an ophthalmologist, with measurement of eye pressure and examination of the optic nerve, is recommended from about forty, earlier if there is a family history. A rarer form, acute angle-closure glaucoma, causes sudden eye pain, headaches, nausea and blurred vision: it is an emergency.

Treatment does not restore lost vision, but protects what remains. Regular use of drops and follow-up are essential. These treatments are covered by basic insurance.

The discovery

At a check-up at fifty-two, high eye pressure and early damage to the optic nerve.

The treatment

Drops in the evening, then, because of discomfort from the drops, a laser in the consulting room in a few minutes.

Follow-up

Pressure controlled, visual field stable at six-monthly check-ups.

Glaucoma is treated for life. The most important thing is regularity: using the drops every day at set times, even if you feel nothing, and attending check-ups, which include pressure measurement, examination of the optic nerve and a visual field test. Side effects of the drops, such as redness or irritation, should be reported: a change of treatment or laser may be proposed. Glaucoma does not prevent you from leading a normal life, doing sport or travelling. Close family members should be screened.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, affects the macula, the central area of the retina that allows fine vision. It is common after sixty. It shows as blurred central vision, straight lines that look wavy and a spot in the centre of the visual field, while peripheral vision is preserved. Smoking is an important risk factor.

The so-called wet form, caused by abnormal blood vessels under the retina, is treated with repeated injections into the eye, given in the consulting room under anaesthetic eye drops, which stabilise or improve vision in a majority of patients. The dry form progresses more slowly and treatments are more limited. Distortion of straight lines requires prompt medical attention.

Intravitreal injections have become one of the most common procedures in ophthalmology, to treat wet macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema or certain vein occlusions. They are given in the consulting room or a dedicated room, under anaesthetic eye drops, after careful disinfection. The patient feels brief pressure. The injection is painless for most patients. They are repeated at intervals adapted to the response, often every four to sixteen weeks, and are covered by basic insurance.

Wet macular degeneration requires regular injections, sometimes for years, which is a significant burden for patients and their families, particularly because of travel. Keeping to the injection schedule is essential to preserve vision. A self-monitoring grid, looked at every day with one eye and then the other, helps detect distortion of lines and seek advice quickly. Good lighting, magnifiers, large-print books and low-vision rehabilitation aids help maintain independence. Stopping smoking slows progression.

The arteries and veins of the retina can become blocked, often in people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or glaucoma. An arterial occlusion causes sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye: it is an emergency, which should also prompt a search for stroke risk. A vein occlusion causes a more gradual loss of vision; it is often treated with eye injections and laser. Controlling vascular risk factors is essential.

With age, a thin membrane can form on the surface of the macula, wrinkling it and causing distorted, blurred vision. A hole can also form in the centre of the macula, causing a spot in the centre of vision. Both situations are treated by retinal surgery, vitrectomy, during which the surgeon removes the vitreous gel, then peels the membrane or closes the hole, sometimes with a gas bubble that requires a particular head position for a few days. Vision gradually improves over several months.

Vitrectomy involves removing the vitreous, the gel that fills the eye, using very fine instruments inserted through tiny incisions. It is used to treat retinal detachment, bleeding into the vitreous, a macular membrane or hole, or certain complications of diabetes. At the end of the procedure, the eye is sometimes filled with gas or silicone oil to hold the retina in place. With gas in the eye, flying or going to altitude is prohibited for several weeks, as the gas would expand. Vitrectomy often hastens the development of a cataract.

After most eye procedures, scuba diving and stays at altitude are possible once healing is complete, generally after a few weeks, on the ophthalmologist's advice. One important exception: when a gas bubble has been injected into the eye during retinal surgery, it is strictly forbidden to go to altitude, over a mountain pass or in a cable car until the gas has been completely absorbed, as it would expand and could seriously damage the eye.

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels of the retina: this is diabetic retinopathy, which is silent for a long time. It can cause bleeding, swelling of the macula and, without treatment, significant loss of vision. A regular examination of the back of the eye, often annual, is recommended for all people with diabetes, even without symptoms.

Good control of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol limits the onset and progression of the disease. When it is present, retinal laser, eye injections and sometimes surgery help preserve vision. Diabetes also encourages cataract and glaucoma, and must be stabilised before any eye surgery.

Some medicines have effects on the eyes. Cortisone, in tablets or drops, encourages cataract and can raise eye pressure. Some treatments used in rheumatology require regular retinal screening. Some prostate medicines make the iris floppy during cataract surgery. Antidepressants or antihistamines can worsen dryness. Always tell your ophthalmologist about your treatments, and your doctor about your eye conditions.

In people with diabetes, the retina must be examined regularly, often once a year, even without symptoms. The examination is carried out by an ophthalmologist after pupil dilation, or in some networks using photographs of the retina analysed remotely. Retinopathy found early is treated effectively and vision can be preserved. This examination is part of basic diabetes follow-up and is covered by basic insurance.

With age, the vitreous liquefies and can detach from the retina, which causes small moving spots called floaters, and sometimes flashes of light. Most often, this is harmless. But it can be accompanied by a retinal tear, which can progress to detachment, a surgical emergency.

The sudden appearance of many floaters, flashes or a curtain covering part of the visual field requires an eye consultation the same day. A tear is treated by laser in the consulting room; a detachment requires surgery, by gas injection, vitrectomy or scleral buckling. Highly short-sighted people and those who have had cataract surgery are slightly more at risk.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the inside of the eye, which causes a red, painful, light-sensitive eye and reduced vision. It may be linked to a general disease, such as certain rheumatic diseases, to an infection, or have no identified cause. It requires prompt consultation and anti-inflammatory treatment, often with drops, sometimes systemically. Recurrences are common, and follow-up by an ophthalmologist and sometimes a rheumatologist is needed. Uveitis must have been calm for several months before eye surgery.

Some losses of vision come not from the eye itself but from the optic nerve or brain. Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the nerve, causes reduced vision in one eye, often with pain on eye movement, in young adults; it may be linked to a neurological disease. Sudden double vision, loss of half the visual field or a suddenly drooping eyelid also require urgent medical attention. These situations fall under neuro-ophthalmology, in liaison with neurologists.

When vision remains low despite treatment, for example with advanced macular degeneration or glaucoma, low-vision rehabilitation helps preserve independence. It offers optical aids such as magnifiers and magnifying systems, electronic aids, learning new reading and mobility strategies, and advice on lighting and home adaptation. In Switzerland, specialist services and associations for visually impaired people support these patients and their families; the ophthalmologist can refer you.

After loss of vision in one eye, the brain gradually adapts, but depth perception and the visual field on the affected side are reduced. Protecting the remaining eye becomes paramount: protective glasses for risky activities, regular eye follow-up, and prompt treatment of any problem. Driving remains possible under certain conditions set by the regulations, after assessment. An ocular prosthesis or cosmetic contact lens can improve appearance when the affected eye is deformed or discoloured.

Like the skin, the eye can have moles, on the iris or at the back of the eye, found during an examination. They are usually benign and simply monitored with regular photos. Rarely, a malignant tumour such as choroidal melanoma can develop; it is treated in specialist centres, including a reference centre in French-speaking Switzerland. A spot that grows, a change in iris colour or unexplained loss of vision justify a check-up.

Some retinal diseases are inherited, such as retinitis pigmentosa, which first causes poor vision in dim light and then gradual narrowing of the visual field. Diagnosis relies on specialist tests and often a genetic test. Gene therapies have been developed for some rare forms, and research is progressing. Genetic counselling is offered to families. Low-vision rehabilitation helps preserve independence.

Some thyroid diseases, particularly Graves' disease, can affect the eyes: swollen eyelids, red and dry eyes, a staring look with eyes that seem to bulge from their sockets, sometimes double vision. This thyroid eye disease progresses in flare-ups and then stabilises. Smoking clearly worsens it. It is treated with local care, medication in the active phase and, once stabilised, with orbital, eye-muscle or eyelid surgery, in specialist centres in liaison with endocrinologists.

Migraine with aura is often accompanied by visual disturbances: shimmering zigzags, a bright spot that spreads, mosaic vision, generally on both sides, for twenty to sixty minutes, followed or not by a headache. These disturbances are alarming but harmless. However, loss of vision in one eye, visual disturbances appearing for the first time after fifty, or associated with other neurological signs require urgent medical attention.

The eyelids protect the eye and contribute greatly to the expression of the eyes. With age, the skin of the upper eyelids can become lax and hang over the lashes, sometimes to the point of obstructing vision; the lower eyelids can form bags. Blepharoplasty removes the excess skin and fat. When the eyelid itself droops, because of laxity of the levator muscle, it is called ptosis, which is corrected by surgery on this muscle.

When excess skin or ptosis reduces the visual field, insurance coverage can be requested on the basis of a visual field test. Otherwise, the procedure is cosmetic. See our pages on blepharoplasty in Switzerland and medical blepharoplasty.

Beyond eye health, many patients are interested in the appearance of their eyes: drooping eyelids, bags, dark circles, a tired look. Surgical or laser blepharoplasty, non-surgical medical techniques and procedures aimed at almond-shaped eyes fall under plastic surgery or oculoplastics. These procedures must take account of eye health, particularly dry eye. See our pages on laser blepharoplasty and fox eyes.

With age, the lower eyelid can turn inwards — entropion — and the lashes then rub on the eye, causing irritation and redness. It can also turn outwards — ectropion — leaving the eye watering and drying out. These problems are corrected by minor eyelid surgery, often under local anaesthesia, generally covered by basic insurance as it treats a functional problem and protects the eye.

Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid, which covers part of the pupil. In adults, it is most often linked to age or long-term contact lens wear, which stretch the tendon of the levator muscle. It gives a tired look and can reduce the upward visual field, forcing you to raise your chin or eyebrows to see. It is corrected by surgery on the levator muscle, often under local anaesthesia. When it obstructs vision, documented by a visual field test, the procedure is covered by basic insurance.

Ptosis that appears suddenly, especially if accompanied by double vision, pupils of different sizes or headaches, requires urgent medical attention, as it may reveal a neurological problem. In children, ptosis present from birth must be assessed early to avoid amblyopia.

A constantly watering eye may indicate a blockage of the ducts that drain tears into the nose, common in infants and older adults. In adults, surgery called dacryocystorhinostomy creates a new drainage route. Conversely, dry eye, which is very common, causes burning, a gritty sensation and fluctuating vision. It is treated with artificial tears, eyelid care, sometimes plugs placed in the tear ducts, and must be managed before any refractive or cataract surgery.

Dry eye affects a large part of the population, especially after fifty, in post-menopausal women, contact lens wearers and people who work at screens. It causes burning, a gritty sensation, red eyes, paradoxical watering and fluctuating vision. Often, the cause is not a lack of tears but their poor quality, linked to dysfunction of the small glands along the eyelid margin.

Pterygium is a small fleshy membrane that extends from the conjunctiva, the white of the eye, onto the cornea, generally on the nose side. It is encouraged by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, wind and dust, hence its popular name "surfer's eye". It can cause redness, irritation and, if it advances onto the cornea, astigmatism and reduced vision. When it is bothersome, it is removed surgically, often with a small conjunctival graft to limit recurrence. Sunglasses help prevent it.

A stye is a small, painful infection at the base of an eyelash, which generally heals within a few days with warm compresses. A chalazion is a small, firm, barely painful lump within the eyelid, caused by a blocked gland. It often disappears spontaneously within a few weeks with warm compresses and massage. If it persists, it can be incised in the consulting room under local anaesthesia. A chalazion that always recurs in the same place should be examined by an ophthalmologist.

Allergic conjunctivitis, very common in spring and summer in Switzerland, causes itching, redness, watering and swollen eyelids. It is relieved by anti-allergy eye drops, cold compresses, rinsing the eyes and hair in the evening, and wearing sunglasses outdoors. It is important not to rub the eyes, especially in young people, as repeated rubbing encourages keratoconus. Severe or persistent allergy deserves an ophthalmological and sometimes allergological opinion.

A squint (strabismus) is a misalignment of the eyes. In children, it must be treated early, as the deviating eye risks becoming lazy: this is amblyopia. Treatment combines glasses, patching of the good eye and sometimes eye-muscle surgery. In adults, a squint can appear or reappear, causing double vision or cosmetic concern; muscle surgery or botulinum toxin injections can correct it. Squint surgery is generally covered by basic insurance.

Screening for vision problems is recommended from early childhood, during check-ups with the paediatrician, then at pre-school age. It looks for squint, amblyopia and significant refractive errors. Amblyopia is treated all the better when it is found early, ideally before the age of six to eight. Signs that require a consultation are an eye that turns, a tilted head when looking, squinting, a child who gets very close to screens or complains of headaches. Paediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists are available in hospitals and major cities.

Colour blindness is an abnormality of colour vision, usually inherited, which mainly affects men. The most common form makes it difficult to distinguish between red and green. It is not a progressive disease, and there is no surgical treatment. It can, however, restrict access to certain occupations. Glasses with special filters improve contrast between some colours in some people, without restoring normal colour vision. Colour blindness that appears in adulthood, on the other hand, requires investigation for retinal or optic nerve disease.

Amblyopia, or lazy eye, occurs when the brain favours one eye in early childhood, because of a squint, a large difference in prescription between the two eyes or an obstacle such as a congenital cataract. The neglected eye does not develop normal vision. Treatment involves correcting the optical defect with glasses and stimulating the weak eye, often by covering the good eye for a few hours a day with a patch or drops. It is all the more effective when started early; after the age of eight to ten, results are much more limited.

A child who needs glasses must wear them regularly, particularly with amblyopia or squint, where they are part of the treatment. Suitable, flexible, well-fitted frames make acceptance easier. Contact lenses can be offered to adolescents, or even earlier in some situations, with rigorous training in hygiene. Basic insurance contributes to the cost of lenses for children under the conditions in force; ask your insurer and the ophthalmologist.

For sport, protective glasses with corrective lenses are preferable to everyday glasses, which can break and injure the eye. Regular check-ups allow the prescription to be adjusted, as it often changes during growth, particularly in short-sighted children.

Rarely, a baby is born with a cataract or develops one in childhood. It may be spotted as a white reflex in the pupil in photos or during the newborn examination. It must be operated on quickly, as it prevents vision from developing. Surgery and rehabilitation take place in paediatric ophthalmology centres, with long-term follow-up. Any white reflex in a child's pupil requires a consultation without delay, as it can also indicate a rare eye tumour.

For any question about eye health or surgery, the ophthalmologist is the essential contact. Check their specialist title in the federal MedReg register. Optometrists and opticians play an important role in monitoring vision and can refer to an ophthalmologist if they find an abnormality.

The interview

The ophthalmologist asks about your symptoms, medical history, treatments and eye diseases in your family.

Measuring vision

Reading letters of decreasing size, with and without correction, and precise measurement of the correction needed.

The slit lamp

A microscope allows the eyelids, cornea, iris and lens to be examined.

Eye pressure

Measured by a puff of air or a small instrument applied after anaesthetic drops.

The back of the eye

After drops that dilate the pupil, examination of the retina and optic nerve. Vision remains blurred and dazzled for a few hours: do not drive.

Additional tests

Depending on the situation: visual field, retinal tomography, corneal topography, photographs.

The visual field test measures the extent of peripheral vision: the patient looks at a central point and presses a button each time they see a small light in the periphery. It is the reference test for monitoring glaucoma or certain neurological diseases. Optical coherence tomography, often called OCT, produces very detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve in a few seconds, without contact or injection. It is essential for monitoring macular degeneration, macular diseases and glaucoma.

Some eye strain, with headaches and blurred or double vision during prolonged reading, comes not from an incorrect prescription but from difficulty for the two eyes to work together up close, called convergence insufficiency. It is common among students and people who work a lot at screens. An orthoptic assessment allows it to be diagnosed, and a few sessions of orthoptic exercises often improve it considerably. Prisms in glasses are sometimes proposed.

Several Swiss hospitals have eye emergency services, notably in the university centres and the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne. In the event of a chemical splash, rinse the eye immediately under running water for several minutes before going to the emergency department.

Waiting times for a routine eye consultation can reach several weeks in some regions. For a new but non-urgent symptom, mention it when booking; practices often keep slots free. In an emergency, such as sudden loss of vision, flashes with a curtain, a red and painful eye or a chemical splash, do not look for a normal appointment: go to an eye or general emergency department, or call 144 if necessary.

A blow to the eye, from a ball, a fist or a fall, can cause bleeding inside the eye, a fracture of the orbital floor, retinal injury or a rise in eye pressure, sometimes without significant pain. Any reduction in vision, double vision, intense pain or visible bleeding in the eye after an impact requires urgent consultation. Fragments thrown at high speed, during grinding or hammering, can penetrate the eye; protective glasses prevent this effectively.

A corneal abrasion, from a fingernail, a branch or a contact lens, causes sharp pain, watering and sensitivity to light; it generally heals within a few days with local treatment. Intense ultraviolet light, on snow or during welding without protection, can burn the surface of the cornea a few hours after exposure, with significant pain that subsides within one to two days. A chemical burn, especially from an alkaline product such as lime or some household products, is an absolute emergency: rinse immediately and thoroughly with water before seeking help.

A red eye without pain or reduced vision is usually benign. However, pain, sensitivity to light or reduced vision require prompt consultation, particularly in contact lens wearers, who are exposed to corneal infections.

The herpes virus, the one that causes cold sores, can affect the cornea and cause a red, painful, watering and light-sensitive eye, often on one side only. It is treated with antivirals, and recurrences are common. Cortisone eye drops must never be used without ophthalmological advice, as they can seriously worsen a herpes infection. Repeated recurrences can leave scars on the cornea; preventive treatment is sometimes offered. A history of eye herpes must be mentioned before any eye surgery.

Viral conjunctivitis, which is very contagious, causes a red, watering eye, often with a swollen gland in front of the ear, and frequently spreads to the other eye. It heals spontaneously within one to three weeks. To limit contagion: wash your hands often, do not share towels, avoid touching your eyes and remove your contact lenses. Bacterial conjunctivitis, with yellowish discharge, may require antibiotic eye drops. In newborns, conjunctivitis must always be examined promptly.

• Wear UV-filtering sunglasses, especially in the mountains and on snow.
• Use protective glasses for DIY, gardening and racket sports.
• Take regular breaks from screens by looking into the distance.
• Do not sleep in your contact lenses unless indicated, and follow lens hygiene.
• Stop smoking, a risk factor for cataract and AMD.
• Have your eyes checked regularly after forty, earlier with diabetes or a family history.

Racket sports, particularly squash, ice hockey, floorball and combat sports expose the eyes to sometimes serious injuries. Suitable protective glasses greatly reduce this risk. In the mountains, UV-filtering sunglasses, or glacier glasses on snow, protect against snow blindness, a painful burn of the cornea. After eye surgery, resuming sport follows the intervals given by the ophthalmologist, which are longer for contact sports.

In industry, construction, agriculture or laboratories, the eyes are exposed to splashes, dust, chemicals and radiation. Suitable protective glasses or visors greatly reduce the risk of accidents. Suva, the accident insurer, and workplace safety officers provide precise recommendations for each job. In the event of a work-related eye accident, seek help promptly and report the accident to your employer.

After sixty, several changes are usual: presbyopia is complete, the lens starts to cloud, dry eye is more common, the eyelids become lax and floaters become more frequent. The risk of cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration increases. An eye examination every one to two years, more often with a known condition, allows these conditions to be detected early, and many are treated all the better when managed early. Good lighting at home and suitable glasses also reduce the risk of falls.

Advanced age is not an obstacle to eye surgery. Cataract surgery, which is short and performed under anaesthetic eye drops, is very well tolerated and can transform the daily life of a ninety-year-old: reading, television, recognising faces, safety when moving around. In people with cognitive impairment, better vision often helps maintain orientation. Organising the return home, help with drops and support from family or a home care service are then particularly important.

During pregnancy, hormones can slightly change the prescription, make contact lenses less well tolerated and worsen dryness; that is why refractive surgery is avoided during this period and breastfeeding. For women who are highly short-sighted or have retinal disease, an ophthalmological opinion may be useful before delivery. At menopause, dry eye becomes more common; it is treated with artificial tears and suitable care.

Driving requires minimum visual acuity and visual field, set by the regulations according to the licence category. These requirements are checked when obtaining the licence and, for older drivers, during periodic medical checks. A cataract, glaucoma or retinal disease can bring vision below these thresholds without the driver realising.

After a procedure, your ophthalmologist will tell you when your vision allows you to drive again. If you wear glasses or contact lenses to meet the requirements, this is noted on your licence. Successful refractive surgery may allow this note to be removed, after a check. If in doubt about your vision, have it checked before driving.

Difficulty with night vision can have several causes: poorly corrected myopia, an early cataract that scatters headlight glare, dry eye, halos after laser or with some implants, or more rarely a retinal disease. It is worth having your eyes examined if night driving becomes difficult. Clean windscreens, suitable anti-reflective glasses and avoiding tinted lenses at night improve comfort. A cataract causing this problem often justifies surgery.

Some professions have particular visual requirements: professional drivers, security, aviation or railway jobs, some military posts. These requirements may concern acuity, visual field, colour vision or depth perception, and sometimes a history of refractive surgery. Before refractive surgery, ask your employer or the relevant authority about the applicable conditions, and talk to your ophthalmologist, who will adapt the technique or timing.

Screens do not cause eye disease in adults, but they tire the eyes: we blink less, the surface of the eye dries out, and the effort of focusing close up is constant. Symptoms are a burning sensation, red eyes, blurred vision at the end of the day and headaches. Regular breaks, looking into the distance several times an hour, a screen placed slightly below eye level, suitable lighting and artificial tears bring relief. A correction suited to screen distance is often useful after forty.

It is often said that blue light from screens damages the retina. At the levels emitted by screens, studies have not shown damage to the human retina. Screen-related eye strain comes mainly from dryness and the effort of focusing. Screen light in the evening can, however, disrupt sleep. Blue-light-filtering lenses have not shown any benefit for eye health; good screen habits and breaks are more useful. Protection against the sun's ultraviolet light, however, remains important.

A varied diet rich in green vegetables, colourful fruit, oily fish and nuts is associated with better retinal health. In people with intermediate macular degeneration, certain supplements based on antioxidants and macular pigments can slow progression, on the ophthalmologist's advice. In others, supplements have not shown any benefit. Controlling diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol, and not smoking, count for more in eye health than supplements.

• What exactly is the situation of my eyes, and what are all the options?
• Why do you recommend this technique rather than another?
• What results can I expect, and how likely is it that I will still need glasses?
• What are the main risks in my case?
• What happens if the result is not as expected?
• What is covered by insurance, and what will the remaining cost be?
• How many procedures of this type do you perform each year?

An ophthalmologist who takes the time to answer these questions, without pressure and acknowledging the limitations of each option, is a good sign.

• It does not give you the eyes of a twenty-year-old: presbyopia and ageing continue.
• It does not repair a retina or optic nerve damaged by glaucoma.
• It does not always completely eliminate glasses.
• It does not replace regular eye follow-up.
• It does not treat dry eye, which it may on the contrary temporarily worsen.

Studies of operated patients show very high satisfaction rates after cataract surgery, with a clear improvement in independence, safety at the wheel and quality of life. After well-indicated laser refractive surgery, the vast majority of patients say they are satisfied and no longer need glasses for distance vision. Dissatisfaction is most often linked to persistent dryness, night halos or unrealistic expectations, hence the importance of information before the procedure.

For chronic diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, the aim is not to improve vision but to preserve it; regular treatment is then the main factor in long-term success.

Before any procedure, the ophthalmologist must inform you clearly about the nature of the procedure, its benefits, risks, alternatives and costs. A consent document summarises this information; take the time to read it at home and ask your questions. For elective surgery, a period of reflection is the rule. You can withdraw from the procedure up to the last moment.

Ophthalmology is evolving rapidly: new longer-acting injectable medicines for macular degeneration, gene therapies for some inherited retinal diseases, implants for presbyopia, more targeted corneal transplant techniques, increasingly precise imaging, and artificial intelligence to help analyse images. Swiss university centres take part in clinical trials; your ophthalmologist can tell you whether one is relevant to you.

• Bring your current glasses and contact lenses, and your old prescriptions.
• Note your symptoms, since when and in which situations.
• List your medicines and conditions, particularly diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid disease.
• Mention eye diseases in your family, such as glaucoma.
• Do not drive if pupil dilation is planned.
• Note your questions about treatment options and coverage.

Teleconsultation can be useful in ophthalmology to ask a question, review a situation before a consultation or discuss results, but it does not replace an eye examination, which requires specific equipment. Some screening, such as for diabetic retinopathy, can be done with photographs of the retina analysed remotely. In the event of an acute symptom, a teleconsultation must not delay an in-person examination.

For elective surgery, you are free to choose your centre. Favour a centre that carries out a complete assessment with corneal topography, where you meet the surgeon before the procedure, which offers several techniques and explains why it recommends one, and which provides follow-up and any touch-up under clear conditions. Be wary of promises of guaranteed results, limited-time offers and centres where the procedure is offered at the first visit without time to reflect.

• The surgeons hold the specialist title in ophthalmology and regularly perform the planned procedure.
• The assessment is complete and carried out with recent equipment.
• The surgeon sees you before the procedure and takes time to explain.
• Several options are offered when relevant, including not operating.
• Follow-up is organised, with a contact number in case of problems.
• Prices and touch-up conditions are clear and in writing.

A second opinion is useful before a major procedure, the choice of a premium implant, non-urgent glaucoma or retinal surgery, or when you are hesitating between several options. The tests performed can generally be passed on. In urgent situations, such as retinal detachment, treatment must not be delayed to obtain a second opinion.

Eye surgery is very safe today, but no procedure is risk-free. After refractive surgery: dry eye, often temporary, night halos, imperfect correction and, rarely, corneal ectasia, hence the importance of the prior assessment. After cataract surgery: inflammation, rarely serious infection, posterior capsule opacification treated simply by laser, rarely retinal detachment. A sudden drop in vision, significant pain or a very red eye after a procedure require urgent medical attention; call 144 if necessary.

Most eye procedures are performed under topical anaesthesia, with drops, sometimes supplemented by an injection of anaesthetic inside the eye and light sedation that relaxes without putting you to sleep. For some longer procedures or in anxious patients, an injection of anaesthetic around the eye may be given. General anaesthesia is reserved for children, certain retinal, orbital or squint operations, and patients who cannot stay still. The choice is discussed with the ophthalmologist and the anaesthetist.

• Wash your hands before each use.
• Gently pull the lower eyelid down and look up.
• Let a drop fall into the small pocket formed, without touching the eye or lashes with the tip.
• Close the eye gently for one to two minutes and press lightly on the inner corner to limit drainage into the nose.
• Wait five minutes between two different eye drops.
• Follow the schedule, even if the eye is fine.

If you have difficulty using your drops, a relative, an eye-drop aid sold in pharmacies or a home care service can help. Poor technique is a common cause of treatment failure, particularly in glaucoma.

Family and friends play an important role around eye surgery: accompanying you on the day, driving you to check-ups, helping with drops, watching for warning signs and providing moral support when vision takes time to improve. For older people living alone, a daily visit from a relative or a home care service during the first week makes recovery safer. In chronic diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, family and friends also help keep to the treatment schedule.

After a procedure, a few simple precautions protect the eye while it heals: wearing the shield at night for the first few days, avoiding rubbing the eye, not putting your head under water, avoiding dust, wind and smoke, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and not wearing eye make-up for one to two weeks. These measures clearly reduce the risk of infection and complications.

If the operated eye is accidentally knocked, if vision drops suddenly or if pain increases, contact the centre that operated on you without delay, even at night, using the number given on discharge.

Compulsory health insurance covers treatment of eye diseases: cataract that impairs vision, glaucoma, progressive keratoconus, retinal diseases, according to the usual criteria. It does not cover refractive surgery intended to do without glasses or contact lenses. In cataract surgery, the standard monofocal implant is covered; a premium implant involves a supplement at the patient's expense, which must be clearly stated and accepted in writing before the procedure. Some supplementary insurance policies contribute to the cost of refractive surgery; check yours.

Beyond surgery, most eye tests linked to a symptom or disease are covered by basic insurance: consultations, pressure measurement, examination of the back of the eye, visual field, retinal tomography, glaucoma treatment, eye injections, retinal laser, cataract surgery. Screening for people with diabetes is also covered. Tests performed solely as part of elective surgery, such as the assessment before LASIK, are generally at the patient's expense. Adult glasses are not reimbursed by basic insurance.

The university hospitals of Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel and Zurich have eye clinics, and Lausanne has a specialist eye hospital. Many cantonal and regional hospitals perform cataract surgery. Refractive surgery is mainly offered by specialist centres and private clinics in cities. Provision is therefore close to home for cataract, more concentrated for refractive surgery.

Geneva

University ophthalmology department with emergency service, many refractive and cataract surgery centres in the city.

Vaud

University eye hospital in Lausanne, renowned for complex cases and emergencies, and many private centres; regional hospitals for cataract.

Neuchâtel and Jura

Cataract and follow-up of chronic diseases locally; refractive surgery and complex cases often in Lausanne, Bern or Basel.

Fribourg

Cantonal ophthalmology department, bilingual consultations, private centres for refractive surgery.

Valais

Cataract and emergencies in the cantonal hospitals; Lausanne or Bern for some specialist surgery.

Bern

University eye clinic and many private centres; Biel/Bienne and Thun for proximity.

Basel

Renowned university clinic, particularly for the retina and cornea, accessible from Jura and Aargau.

Zurich

The largest provision in German-speaking Switzerland, with a university clinic and many refractive centres.

Central and Eastern Switzerland

Lucerne, Zug and St. Gallen have complete services; Zurich for very specialised cases.

Graubünden and Ticino

Chur, Lugano and Bellinzona for cataract, glaucoma and retina; consultations in Italian in Ticino.

In small cantons, local ophthalmologists provide most consultations, glaucoma follow-up and screening, and often perform cataract operations at the cantonal hospital or a day-surgery centre. For refractive surgery, retinal surgery, corneal transplants or specialist paediatric ophthalmology, patients are referred to the major neighbouring centres. Follow-up check-ups can often be carried out locally, which limits travel.

Ask your regular ophthalmologist which centres they recommend for specialist procedures: they know their waiting times, their strengths and how follow-up can then return closer to home once the procedure is over and healing is well under way and monitored.

For 32 cities, this table shows access to cataract surgery, refractive surgery and highly specialised care, such as retinal surgery or corneal transplants. These are trends: provision changes and some practitioners consult in several cities.

Switzerland's five university cities — Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel and Zurich — have eye clinics that treat all conditions, including the most complex: retinal surgery, corneal transplants, difficult glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology, eye tumours. They also provide eye emergency services and take part in research. For routine procedures such as cataract or refractive laser, regional hospitals and private centres offer high-quality care, often closer to home.

In French-speaking Switzerland, all eye consultations take place in French. In German-speaking cities, many ophthalmologists see patients in French or English; ask when booking. In Ticino, consultations are held in Italian. For an important decision, such as choosing an implant or refractive surgery, it is essential to understand the explanations fully; hospitals can call on interpreters.

Details on our page on eye surgery prices in Switzerland.

The price of the procedure is sometimes supplemented by the pre-operative assessment, medicines, artificial tears for several months, check-ups if not included, and suitable sunglasses. In the long term, successful surgery can reduce spending on glasses and contact lenses, but presbyopia will come later. Compare quotes that include the same services, and ask about any contributions from your supplementary insurance.

Visual acuity: The ability to distinguish detail, measured on a scale.

Amblyopia: A lazy eye, whose vision did not develop normally in childhood.

Cornea: The transparent, curved part at the front of the eye.

Crystalline lens: The eye's natural lens, located behind the iris.

Dioptre: The unit that measures the power of a correction.

Fundus examination: Examination of the retina and optic nerve.

Macula: The central area of the retina, responsible for fine vision.

Intraocular pressure: The pressure of the fluid inside the eye.

Topography: A map of the shape of the cornea.

Vitreous: The clear gel that fills the eye.

• Eye surgery covers both elective procedures and medical treatments.
• Laser corrects myopia, astigmatism and low hyperopia in adults with a stable prescription.
• Phakic implants take over for high prescriptions.
• Cataract is operated on when it causes difficulty, covered by basic insurance.
• Keratoconus is stabilised by cross-linking, and contraindicates LASIK.
• Glaucoma, which is silent, requires regular screening after forty.
• Flashes, a curtain or sudden loss of vision are emergencies.

Medespoir Suisse helps you understand the options suited to your eyes, prepare your questions and find an ophthalmologist or centre suited to your situation, in your region and your language. We also help you distinguish what is covered by insurance from what remains at your expense.

Doing without glasses, regaining clear vision after cataract, stabilising keratoconus or protecting a threatened optic nerve: eye surgery meets very different needs, with safe, well-established techniques in Switzerland. The key is a complete assessment, honest information about the options and their limitations, and regular monitoring of your eye health throughout life. To find out more, see our pages on LASIK, cataract surgery and intraocular lenses.

Budget

Price differences between cities and cantons, the quote breakdown and ways to save are detailed on our page Eye surgery guide: prices in Switzerland.

All pages in this section

• LASIK in Switzerland
• Cataract surgery in Switzerland
• Intraocular lenses in Switzerland

Our guides

• Cosmetic surgery in Switzerland

Answers to the most frequent questions about eye surgery in Switzerland.

Procedures

What are the main types of eye surgery? The most common are laser refractive surgery, which corrects short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism, phakic lens implants for high prescriptions, cataract surgery and lens replacement, corneal cross-linking for keratoconus, laser and surgical treatments for glaucoma, retinal surgery and eyelid surgery. Each addresses a specific situation, established during a complete eye examination.

What is refractive surgery? It covers all procedures that change the way the eye focuses, to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. It acts either on the cornea, by laser, or inside the eye, with an implant. It is intended for healthy eyes and, in Switzerland, is considered elective surgery at the patient's expense.

What is LASIK? LASIK is a refractive laser technique: a first laser cuts a very thin flap on the surface of the cornea, which is lifted; a second laser reshapes the cornea underneath, then the flap is put back and adheres on its own. Vision improves from the next day, with little pain. It requires a sufficiently thick and regular cornea.

What is the difference between LASIK and surface ablation? Surface ablation does not create a flap: the surface layer of the cornea is removed, then the laser acts directly on the surface. It preserves more corneal thickness, which suits thin corneas and people exposed to impacts. On the other hand, the first few days are more painful and vision takes one to two weeks to stabilise.

What is a small-incision technique? The laser cuts a small disc of tissue inside the cornea, whose thickness corresponds to the correction, then the surgeon removes it through an opening of a few millimetres. There is no flap. This technique is mainly used for short-sightedness and astigmatism, with quick recovery and limited impact on the corneal nerves.

What is a phakic lens implant? It is a very thin lens placed inside the eye, in front of the natural lens, which is kept. It corrects high short-sightedness, some long-sightedness and astigmatism when laser is not suitable. The eye retains its natural ability to focus, and the implant can be removed if necessary. Regular monitoring of eye pressure and the cornea is essential.

What is a cataract? It is the gradual clouding of the crystalline lens, the natural lens behind the iris. It mainly occurs with age, but also earlier with diabetes, cortisone treatment or injury. Vision becomes hazy, colours dull and glare troublesome, particularly at night. Only surgery treats it; no eye drops make it regress.

How is cataract surgery performed? Under anaesthetic eye drops, the surgeon makes small incisions at the edge of the cornea, opens the lens capsule, breaks the lens up with ultrasound and aspirates it, then places a foldable implant that unfolds inside the eye. The procedure takes about twenty minutes, usually without stitches, and the patient goes home the same day.

What is a premium lens implant? This term refers to implants that do more than a standard implant: toric implants, which correct astigmatism, and multifocal or extended depth-of-focus implants, which reduce the need for glasses for intermediate and near vision. In cataract surgery, their extra cost compared with the standard implant is generally at the patient's expense.

What is clear lens exchange? It is the same procedure as for cataract, but performed while the lens is still clear, for refractive purposes. It is mainly for people over fifty, often long-sighted or presbyopic, who want to do without glasses. It is not covered by basic insurance, as there is no disease to treat.

What is keratoconus? It is a disease in which the cornea gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape, usually from adolescence. It causes blurred, distorted vision and increasing astigmatism. Screening with corneal topography is important, as early keratoconus contraindicates refractive laser and can be stabilised with cross-linking.

What is cross-linking? It is a treatment that stiffens the cornea to slow the progression of keratoconus. Riboflavin drops are applied, then the cornea is exposed to ultraviolet light for a few minutes. It does not correct existing distortion, but usually stops its progression. It is all the more useful when performed early, in a patient whose disease is progressing.

What is glaucoma? It is a disease of the optic nerve, often linked to excessive pressure in the eye, which slowly destroys the nerve fibres. In its most common form, it causes no symptoms until an advanced stage. Losses of visual field are permanent, hence the importance of regular screening after forty. Treatment relies on drops, laser or surgery.

Can presbyopia be treated surgically? Yes, but no technique restores the flexibility of a young eye's lens. Laser monovision can be used, with one eye set for distance and the other for near, or the lens can be replaced with a multifocal or extended depth-of-focus implant. Each option has its trade-offs, notably light effects at night with some implants.

Can both eyes be operated on the same day? For refractive laser, both eyes are often treated on the same day. For cataract or lens replacement, one eye is usually operated on and then the other a few days or weeks later, to check the result of the first and limit the very low risk of infection in both eyes. Some centres offer same-day bilateral surgery for selected patients.

Are these procedures painful? Most are performed under anaesthetic eye drops, without pain during the procedure. After LASIK or cataract surgery, you mainly feel discomfort, stinging or a gritty sensation for a few hours. After surface ablation or cross-linking, the first few days can be more painful and require painkillers and a bandage contact lens.

How long do they take? A laser treatment takes a few minutes per eye, cataract surgery about twenty minutes, phakic lens implantation around twenty minutes, and cross-linking about an hour. Preparation and monitoring time must be added, so you generally spend half a day at the centre.

Do I need to stay in hospital? No, almost all these procedures are performed as day surgery: you go home the same day, accompanied. Only certain retinal or glaucoma operations, or procedures under general anaesthesia, may justify a short hospital stay.

Can I drive afterwards? Not on the day of the procedure. After LASIK, driving is often possible after one or two days if vision is sufficient and the ophthalmologist allows it. After surface ablation or cataract surgery, you sometimes have to wait a week or more. The legal vision requirements for driving must be met; your ophthalmologist will tell you when you meet them.

Are the results permanent? The correction obtained by laser is stable in most patients, but the eye continues to age: presbyopia will appear at around forty-five and a cataract may develop later. An implant placed during cataract surgery lasts a lifetime. Slight regression or a residual correction can sometimes justify a touch-up.

Choosing and preparing

Am I a candidate for LASIK? Good candidates are over eighteen to twenty, have had a stable prescription for at least a year, a sufficiently thick and regular cornea, no severe dry eye or eye disease, and realistic expectations. Only a complete assessment can confirm this. If it is not suitable, other options, such as surface ablation or an implant, may be proposed.

From what age? Laser refractive surgery is generally performed from eighteen to twenty, once the prescription has stabilised. In young short-sighted people, myopia often progresses until the early twenties; operating too early risks regression. Cataract surgery, on the other hand, is performed at the age when the problem appears, even in children in some rare cases.

Is there an age limit? There is no strict limit. After forty-five, laser corrects distance vision but not presbyopia; monovision or lens replacement are then discussed. Cataract surgery is performed without difficulty in patients aged ninety or over, when the problem justifies it.

When should a cataract be operated on? When reduced vision interferes with daily activities — reading, driving, recognising faces, leisure — or when glare becomes troublesome. There is no need to wait until it is very advanced; a very dense cataract even makes the procedure more delicate. To drive, vision must meet the legal requirements.

Which implant should I choose for my cataract? The standard, monofocal implant gives excellent vision at one distance, generally for distance, with glasses for reading; it is covered by insurance. Toric implants correct astigmatism, and multifocal or extended depth-of-focus implants reduce the need for glasses, at an extra cost and with trade-offs. The choice depends on your activities and the condition of your eyes.

Do multifocal implants have drawbacks? Yes: they can cause halos and glare around lights at night and a slight loss of contrast, to which most patients adapt within a few months. They are not advised in the event of macular disease, advanced glaucoma or severe dry eye. People who drive a lot at night or whose jobs require perfect contrast take this into account.

What is the pre-operative assessment? It is a series of painless tests: precise measurement of vision, corneal topography and thickness, measurement of the length of the eye to calculate an implant, examination of the retina, measurement of eye pressure and assessment of tear film. It often takes one to two hours and allows the suitability of the procedure to be checked and precise planning.

Should I stop wearing contact lenses before the assessment? Yes. Contact lenses temporarily distort the cornea and skew the measurements. They generally need to be removed a few days to a week beforehand for soft lenses, and two to four weeks for rigid lenses. Your centre will tell you the exact interval, which may be longer before refractive surgery.

Are dry eyes a contraindication? Mild dryness does not prevent the procedure, but it must be treated beforehand, as it skews the measurements and can worsen after laser. Severe dryness can contraindicate LASIK and lead to another technique. Artificial tears, eyelid care and sometimes other treatments often improve the situation within a few weeks.

Does keratoconus contraindicate LASIK? Yes. LASIK thins the cornea and could accelerate the distortion of keratoconus, even at an early stage. This is one of the reasons why corneal topography is essential before any laser. In the case of keratoconus, cross-linking is discussed to stabilise the cornea, then possibly specialist contact lenses or an implant.

Is pregnancy compatible? It is recommended to avoid refractive surgery during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as hormones can temporarily change the prescription and tear quality, and some medicines should be avoided. A few months after the end of breastfeeding is generally recommended. Urgent eye surgery is of course still possible during pregnancy.

Is diabetes an obstacle? Well-controlled diabetes without retinal involvement does not prevent cataract surgery, and sometimes refractive laser. Poorly controlled diabetes or retinopathy must be treated beforehand, as they increase the risks of macular oedema and poor healing. An examination of the back of the eye is part of the assessment.

How do I choose my ophthalmologist? Check their specialist title in the federal MedReg register, and ask about their experience of the planned procedure, the quality of the assessment offered and how follow-up is organised. A good ophthalmologist explains the options, their limitations and risks, and does not hesitate to advise against a procedure when it is not suited to your eyes.

Is a second opinion needed? It is not mandatory, but it is useful if you are offered a major procedure or a premium implant, or if you are hesitating between several options. The assessment measurements can generally be passed on to the second ophthalmologist. Two concurring opinions are reassuring; two differing opinions deserve an explanation.

Can I get an opinion remotely? A first opinion can be given from your glasses prescription, reports and some information about your needs, which helps provide guidance. But no surgical decision can be made without a complete eye examination at a consultation, with the necessary measurements.

Are low-cost centres reliable? A low price is not necessarily synonymous with poor quality, but check what it includes: a complete assessment, the technique used, follow-up, any touch-up. Be wary of centres that offer the procedure without an in-depth assessment, without meeting the surgeon or with sales pressure. Safety relies above all on patient selection.

How long should I take to think about it? There is no urgency for refractive surgery: take the time to understand the options and risks, possibly compare two opinions, and choose a suitable period. For a troublesome cataract, a few weeks' wait is usual. For glaucoma or retinal disease, the ophthalmologist will tell you the appropriate timescale.

Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist? Depending on your insurance model, you can consult an ophthalmologist directly or must first go through your family doctor or a telemedicine service. Check the terms of your policy to avoid losing reimbursement for the consultation.

Does glaucoma rule out refractive surgery? Well-controlled glaucoma does not always rule out laser, but it requires careful assessment, as laser changes the measurement of eye pressure and some post-operative treatments increase it. Multifocal implants are generally not advised in advanced glaucoma. The decision is made with the specialist managing the glaucoma.

Does screen-related dryness count? Yes. In front of a screen, we blink much less, which dries the surface of the eye. This dryness can skew the assessment measurements and worsen after laser. Regular breaks, artificial tears and proper screen adjustment improve it; the centre takes it into account when choosing the technique.

Recovery

How long does recovery take after LASIK? Vision is often good from the next day. A gritty sensation, watering and sensitivity to light last a few hours to a few days. Most patients return to office work after one or two days. Vision stabilises over a few weeks, and dryness may persist for several months.

And after surface ablation? The first three to five days are more uncomfortable, with pain, watering and sensitivity to light, under a bandage contact lens. Vision gradually improves over one to two weeks and stabilises over a few months. Allow about a week off for office work.

And after cataract surgery? Vision often improves from the next day, with brighter colours. Drops must be used for several weeks, and a shield protects the eye at night for the first few days. Office work often resumes after a few days. Vision is stable within two to four weeks; final glasses can then be prescribed.

When can I resume sport? Walking resumes from the next day. Sport with no risk of impact resumes after about a week after LASIK or cataract surgery, swimming after two to four weeks, contact sports after a month or more. After surface ablation, allow one to two weeks for most sports. Protective glasses are recommended.

When can I wear eye make-up? Generally wait a week after laser or cataract surgery, two weeks after surface ablation. Then use new products, particularly mascara and eye pencil, to limit the risk of infection, and remove make-up gently without rubbing.

Should I wear an eye shield at night? Yes, generally for a few nights to a week after LASIK or cataract surgery, to avoid rubbing the eye while asleep. It is fixed with tape on the forehead and cheek, without pressing on the eye.

Are screens allowed? Yes, often from the day after LASIK or cataract surgery, in moderation. Screens do not harm the result, but they accentuate dryness: take breaks, blink deliberately and use artificial tears. After surface ablation, wait until vision is sufficient and comfortable.

When can I drive? When your vision meets the legal requirements and the ophthalmologist allows it, often a few days after LASIK or cataract surgery, sometimes longer after surface ablation. Night driving may be impaired by halos in the first few weeks; be careful.

Do halos disappear? Halos around lights are common in the first few weeks after laser and with some implants. They usually diminish within a few months, as the cornea heals or the brain adapts. If they persist, dryness or a residual correction may be the cause and can be treated.

Does dryness last? Dryness is common after laser, especially in the first three to six months, as the corneal nerves have been cut. It generally improves as they grow back. Preservative-free artificial tears bring relief. In some patients, it persists longer and requires suitable treatment.

How many check-ups are needed? After laser, a check-up the next day, then at one week, one month and three months in general. After cataract surgery, the next day or in the following days, then at one month. The exact schedule depends on the centre and your progress.

Will I still need glasses? After successful laser, most patients no longer need distance glasses, but presbyopia will appear with age. After cataract surgery with a standard implant, reading glasses are still needed. With a multifocal implant, many do without glasses in daily life. A small residual correction may justify light glasses.

What is posterior capsule opacification ("secondary cataract")? It is the clouding, months or years after the operation, of the capsule surrounding the implant. It causes a gradual reduction in vision. It is not a recurrence: it is treated in the consulting room in a few minutes with a laser, painlessly, with recovery in one to two days.

Can I go back to work quickly? Yes, in general. After LASIK or cataract surgery, office work often resumes after one to three days. After surface ablation, allow about a week. Jobs exposed to dust, water or impacts require longer.

Can I travel? Travel is possible quickly, but plan your trips so as not to miss the first check-ups. Avoid dusty environments, swimming and intense sun in the first few weeks, and take your drops and artificial tears with you.

Should I avoid swimming pools? Yes, for two to four weeks after a procedure, because of the risk of infection from chlorinated or untreated water. After that, swimming goggles are recommended for a few months.

Are sunglasses useful? Yes. After a procedure, the eye is more sensitive to light for the first few weeks, and sunglasses also protect against wind and dust. In the long term, UV-filtering glasses protect the cornea, lens and retina, particularly in the mountains.

Can I rub my eyes? No, especially in the first few weeks after LASIK, when the flap could shift, and after cataract surgery. In the long term, it is better to avoid repeatedly rubbing your eyes, which notably encourages keratoconus. If your eyes itch, use artificial tears or anti-allergy treatment.

When does vision stabilise? After LASIK, within a few weeks to three months; after surface ablation, within three to six months; after cataract surgery with a standard implant, within two to four weeks; with a multifocal implant, adaptation can take several months. Any touch-up is only discussed once vision is stable.

Is a touch-up possible? Yes. After laser, a small residual correction can be re-treated if corneal thickness allows. After cataract surgery, a residual error can be corrected by laser, light glasses or, rarely, an additional implant. Ask about the conditions for a touch-up before the procedure.

Risks

Is eye surgery safe? Common procedures — refractive laser and cataract surgery — are among the safest in medicine, with serious complications very rare when the indication is right and the assessment complete. No surgery is risk-free, however, and minor side effects such as dryness or halos are common at first.

What are the risks of LASIK? The most common are dry eye, halos and glare at night, and under- or over-correction. More rarely, flap problems, infection or inflammation. The most feared risk, ectasia, a progressive distortion of the cornea, has become very rare thanks to screening with topography.

What are the risks of cataract surgery? Posterior capsule opacification, which is common and easy to treat, inflammation or swelling of the macula, a temporary rise in eye pressure, a refractive error and, very rarely, serious infection or retinal detachment. Follow-up and eye drops reduce these risks.

Can I lose my sight? Serious loss of vision is exceptional after refractive or cataract surgery. It can result from serious infection, retinal detachment or a rare complication. Seeking advice promptly at the first warning sign allows most complications to be treated before they leave lasting damage.

Which signs should alert me? Increasing pain, significant redness, a sudden drop in vision, flashes of light, a shower of floaters, a curtain over the field of vision or discharge. In these cases, contact the team or an eye emergency service the same day.

What is ectasia? It is a progressive distortion of the cornea, which thins and bulges after refractive surgery, rather like keratoconus. It is very rare when topography has excluded a fragile cornea before the procedure. It is treated with cross-linking and suitable contact lenses.

Are halos dangerous? No, they are bothersome but not dangerous to the eye. They reflect how light is scattered by the cornea or implant. They often diminish over time. If they impair night driving, be careful and talk to your ophthalmologist.

Can implants move? Rarely. An implant can decentre or rotate in the days after the procedure, particularly a toric implant, which can be corrected. Years later, an implant can more rarely shift when its natural supports are fragile. A sudden drop in vision requires medical attention.

Is retinal detachment common? It is rare, but slightly more common in highly short-sighted people and after lens surgery. It shows as flashes, a shower of floaters or a curtain, and requires urgent consultation and often surgery. The prognosis is better the sooner it is treated.

Are complications covered? Complications of cataract surgery are covered by basic insurance. For elective refractive surgery, coverage of complications depends on the situation; check with your insurer and the centre, and find out what the package includes.

Does smoking increase the risks? Smoking worsens dry eye and slows healing of the eye surface. In the long term, it increases the risk of cataract and macular degeneration. Stopping smoking is beneficial before any surgery and for eye health in general.

Does refractive surgery prevent a future cataract? No. The lens continues to age, and a cataract may develop years later. It is treated normally, but implant calculation is more delicate after laser. Keep your measurements from before the laser; they will be invaluable.

Can you be allergic to eye drops? It is possible, especially to the preservatives in some eye drops. Redness and itching of the eyelids after starting the drops should be reported. Preservative-free eye drops can then be prescribed.

Are infections common? No, they are rare thanks to disinfection, antibiotics and post-operative precautions: not rubbing, avoiding swimming pools, using new make-up. Increasing pain and redness in the following days require immediate medical attention.

Can the result regress? After laser, a small part of the correction may regress, especially for high myopia and long-sightedness. A touch-up is then often possible. After cataract surgery, the implant does not move, but posterior capsule opacification can reduce vision and is treated by laser.

Who should perform the procedure? An ophthalmologist with a specialist title, experienced in the planned procedure. Tests may be performed by orthoptists or optometrists, but the indication, the procedure and follow-up are the ophthalmologist's responsibility. Check the title in the MedReg register.

Should I keep my documents? Yes. Keep your old prescriptions, the assessment measurements, the operative report and any implant card. These documents are very useful for any future procedure, particularly for calculating a cataract implant after laser.

Is refractive surgery risky for highly short-sighted people? High myopia is more difficult to correct by laser, with more risk of regression and night vision problems; a phakic implant is often preferable. Highly short-sighted people also have a more fragile retina, which must be examined before any procedure.

Do screens damage the result? No. Screens do not change the correction obtained, but they encourage dryness and eye strain. Breaks, suitable lighting and artificial tears are generally enough. They do not explain regression of the correction.

How can the risks be reduced? Have a complete assessment, choose an experienced ophthalmologist, treat dry eye before the procedure, follow the drops and instructions scrupulously, do not rub your eyes, avoid water and dust in the first few weeks, and seek advice promptly at any warning sign.

Organising in Switzerland

Where can I have surgery in Switzerland? Cataract operations are performed in most cantons, in hospitals, clinics and day-surgery centres. Refractive surgery and premium implants are concentrated in specialist centres in the major cities. The university hospitals and the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne treat complex cases.

Is cataract surgery reimbursed? Yes, when it impairs vision, the operation is covered by basic insurance with a standard implant, subject to the deductible (franchise) and co-payment (quote-part) rules. Supplements for premium implants and some additional tests generally remain at the patient's expense.

Is LASIK reimbursed? No, refractive surgery is considered an elective procedure and remains at the patient's expense. Some supplementary insurance policies contribute; check your policy. Rare medical exceptions, such as a large difference in prescription between the two eyes, can be discussed.

Are premium implants reimbursed? Basic insurance covers cataract surgery with a standard implant. The extra cost of a toric, multifocal or extended depth-of-focus implant, and associated tests, is generally at the patient's expense. Ask for a quote that clearly separates the two parts.

How much does LASIK cost? The price varies according to the technique, the centre and what is included: assessment, procedure, follow-up, touch-up. We express it in relative indices on our price pages. Compare equivalent offers, and be wary of headline prices that do not include the assessment or follow-up.

Are waiting times long? For refractive surgery, waiting times are generally a few weeks. For cataract, they vary between centres, from a few weeks to a few months. In an urgent situation, such as retinal detachment or acute glaucoma, treatment is immediate.

Can I have surgery in another canton? Yes. For elective surgery, you are free to choose your centre. For a covered operation, the rules on free choice of facility and the contribution of your canton of residence apply; supplementary insurance can cover any difference. Find out beforehand.

Can I be treated in my own language? In French-speaking Switzerland, consultations are held in French. In the major German-speaking cities, many ophthalmologists see patients in French or English; ask when booking. In Ticino, consultations are held in Italian.

What should a refractive surgery quote contain? The technique used, the pre-operative assessment, the procedure for one or both eyes, medicines, the number of check-ups included, the conditions for any touch-up and the period of validity of the quote. A clear quote allows offers to be compared on an equivalent basis.

How can I get a personalised opinion? By consulting an ophthalmologist for a complete examination. You can also send us your glasses prescription, medical history and expectations: we will direct you to a centre suited to your situation, in your region and your language.

Can my family doctor refer me? Yes. They know your general health and can refer you to an ophthalmologist, which is sometimes required by your insurance model. They are also a useful contact for controlling diabetes or blood pressure before a procedure.

Do I need someone with me? Yes, on the day of the procedure, as you will not be able to drive and your vision will be blurred or dazzled. After pupil dilation during the assessment, it is also preferable to be accompanied or use public transport.

How many days off are needed? One to three days after LASIK or cataract surgery for office work, about a week after surface ablation. Physical jobs, those exposed to dust or requiring perfect vision may need longer.

What is the best time? There is no ideal season. Some prefer autumn or winter, with less intense sun and swimming; others choose their holidays. Avoid periods of heavy pollen if you are allergic, and the weeks before a long trip.

Is supplementary insurance useful? Some supplementary policies contribute to the cost of refractive surgery, premium implants or glasses. Conditions vary greatly; read your policy and ask for written confirmation before the procedure.

Can I pay in instalments? Some centres offer staggered payment or financing. Ask about the conditions and any fees, and compare with the cash price.

Do centres offer a free consultation? Some refractive surgery centres offer a first information meeting; the complete assessment with measurements is generally charged, sometimes deducted from the price of the procedure. For cataract, the consultation is covered by insurance.

Can the pre-operative measurements be passed on? Yes. Ask for a copy of your measurements: they can be used for a second opinion and will be invaluable for any future surgery, particularly cataract surgery after laser.

Can just one eye be operated on? Yes, depending on the situation. A cataract may affect only one eye; laser can be performed on one eye in the event of a difference in prescription. The balance between the two eyes is always discussed to avoid discomfort.

Is long-term follow-up necessary? Yes. Even after a successful procedure, regular eye check-ups remain recommended, particularly after forty, to screen for glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, which have no link with the procedure but affect all ageing eyes.

Tell us your age, current prescription, eye history and expectations. We will direct you to the most suitable care. Free and without obligation.