What Modern and Safe Methods are Available for Vision Correction?

EyeLaser in Zurich offers only the most modern and gentle procedures, including the minimally invasive SmartSight method, the gold-standard Femto-LASIK 7D, as well as lens implants for special requirements.

Am I a Candidate for Laser Eye Correction?

Ideal candidates are between 18 and 60 years old, have had stable vision for at least one year, and have healthy eyes without conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma.

Is the Treatment Painful and how Long Does Recovery Take?

Thanks to anesthetic eye drops, the procedure itself is completely painless, and the most modern procedures allow for very rapid recovery, often within 24 to 48 hours.

Are the Results of Eye Laser Treatment Permanent?

Yes, the corneal correction achieved by the laser is permanent; however, the natural aging process of the eye, such as presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), continues to progress.

What are the Risks and how are They Minimized?

At EyeLaser, risks are reduced to an absolute minimum through an extremely thorough preliminary examination and the use of state-of-the-art 7D tracking technology, with temporary dry eyes being the most common side effect.

How much does laser eye treatment cost in Zurich?

The cost depends on the method chosen and the complexity of your refractive error. At EyeLaser, we focus on transparent pricing with no hidden costs. You will learn the exact amount during the non-binding preliminary examination, after we have determined the best method for you.

When Can I Return to Work and Drive after the Procedure?

With SmartSight and Femto-LASIK, most patients can return to work (office work) and drive the next day. With Trans-PRK, it usually takes 3–5 days to achieve sufficient visual acuity.

Will I Still Need Reading Glasses when I get Older?

Yes, laser treatment corrects your existing refractive error, but it does not stop the natural ageing of the eye. So-called presbyopia occurs in almost everyone from around the age of 40–45 and then requires reading glasses. However, for patients in this age group, we also offer lasting solutions for this with PresbyMAX or lens replacement.

Is the result of laser vision correction really permanent?

Yes, the change in the shape of the cornea is permanent. In rare cases, minimal changes in prescription can occur over many years, but these usually do not need to be corrected. If required, an enhancement is possible in most cases.

What makes EyeLaser in Zurich special?

EyeLaser stands for the combination of state-of-the-art, validated technology (SCHWIND 7D systems, ATOS femtosecond laser), the high expertise of an internationally renowned surgeon, and uncompromising Swiss quality and safety standards. We do not just correct refractive errors—we give you quality of life.

Is laser eye treatment painful? I have concerns about the procedure.

We can reassure you about this. Thanks to highly effective anaesthetic eye drops that we administer shortly before the procedure, the treatment itself is completely pain-free. You may feel slight pressure, but no pain. Modern lasers also work so quickly—often only a few seconds per eye—that the procedure is over before you have time to worry. After modern procedures such as SmartSight or Femto-LASIK, a mild foreign-body sensation may occur for a few hours, but it subsides quickly.

How permanent is the result of laser treatment? Do I need to worry that my nearsightedness will “come back”?

The correction achieved by the laser on the cornea is permanent. The refractive error for which you were treated generally does not return, provided your prescription was stable before the procedure. What does change over the course of life, however, is the natural ageing of the eye. From about the age of 45, almost everyone develops presbyopia, which may require reading glasses. This is a separate, natural process that laser treatment does not stop. For this need, however, we offer specialised solutions such as PresbyMAX.

What risks are there really, and how are they minimised at EyeLaser?

No surgical procedure is completely risk-free; however, laser eye surgery is among the safest medical procedures worldwide. At EyeLaser, we minimise this residual risk through three key pillars: 1) an extremely thorough preliminary examination to identify potential risk factors; 2) the use of the latest technology with 7D eye tracking, which compensates for any involuntary eye movement in real time; 3) the extensive experience of our lead surgeon. The most common side effect is temporary dry eyes, which we treat effectively with eye drops.

When can I do sports again—for example skiing or swimming in Lake Zurich?

Returning to sport is surprisingly fast and a major advantage for an active lifestyle in Switzerland. With minimally invasive procedures such as SmartSight or Femto-LASIK, you can resume light activities such as jogging or going to the gym after just a few days. For intensive sports, contact sports, as well as swimming in the lake or chlorinated water and sauna visits, you should wait about 2–4 weeks to allow the cornea to heal optimally and safely.

Are both eyes treated on the same day?

Yes, in over 99% of cases, both eyes are treated one after the other in the same session. This has the advantage that you only go through the entire process—preparation, procedure and healing—once. Modern procedures are so safe and recovery is so fast that bilateral treatment is the global standard.

Why is laser treatment not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the female body undergoes significant hormonal fluctuations. These can temporarily affect the stability of your prescription and alter wound healing. To ensure an absolutely precise and long-term stable result, we only perform the procedure once hormone levels have normalised again. We recommend waiting about 3–6 months after weaning before scheduling a preliminary examination.

Can laser treatment cure a “lazy eye” (amblyopia)?

No. It is important to understand the difference here: amblyopia is a neural developmental disorder in which the brain has learned to ignore the visual input from one eye. Laser treatment perfectly corrects the refractive error of the eye itself (the “hardware”), but it cannot restore the learned neural connection between the eye and the brain (the “software”). This means that after the procedure, the visual performance of the amblyopic eye cannot be better than it was before with the best possible glasses or contact lens correction.

Laser eye surgery Zurich-Switzerland

Eye laser surgery in Zurich: methods, procedure & costs at EyeLaser

At EyeLaser Zurich, you will find the method that truly suits your eyes: SmartSight, Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK, ICL or premium lenses – with personal care from Dr Victor Derhartunian, FEBO.

Over 20,000 successful procedures
State-of-the-art SCHWIND technology (ATOS, AMARIS)
Key Opinion Leader & Reference Center of SCHWIND
Central Location: Strehlgasse 33, just 2 min. from Paradeplatz

Book an Appointment Show me my suitability

Process – your Path to Clear Vision in 4 Steps

Excellence in refractive surgery: Why Zurich?

When it comes to your eyes, “good” is not good enough. As a specialised centre for eye laser surgery in Zurich (District 1), we do not focus on volume, but on medical precision. We use only technology from the global market leaders (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions) and deliberately avoid discount offers at the expense of safety.

The EyeLaser concept for Zurich:

Technology leadership: We are one of the few centres in Switzerland offering SmartSight – the advanced, tissue-sparing lenticule extraction (successor to ReLEx SMILE).
Safety architecture: Every laser pulse is monitored by 7-dimensional eye tracking. Involuntary eye movements are compensated for within milliseconds.
Honest indication: We only perform laser treatment if corneal topography and biomechanics allow it 100%. Otherwise, we offer ICL lenses as a safe alternative.

What Vision Defects Can be Corrected?

Ein Leben ohne Brille – Erfolgsgeschichten aus Zürich

Laser vision correction is highly effective for the most common types of refractive error. At our clinic in Zurich, we successfully treat:

Nearsightedness (myopia): up to -10.00 dpt
Farsightedness (hyperopia): up to +4.00 dpt
Astigmatism (astigmatism): up to 6.00 dpt

The suitability and the choice of the optimal procedure are always determined individually after a comprehensive diagnostic examination.

What is laser eye correction? A simple explanation

Imagine your eye as a high-quality camera. The cornea is the outermost, clear lens that focuses incoming light so that a sharp image is formed on the retina (the camera’s “film”). In cases of refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, this focusing is faulty.

The goal of laser eye correction is to precisely and gently reshape the cornea so that light is once again perfectly focused on the retina. The result: a crystal-clear image without corrective devices.

The Technology behind it: Femtosecond and Excimer Lasers

Modern Refractive Surgery Relies on Two Highly Specialized Laser Systems

The Femtosecond Laser: This precision instrument works with ultra-short light pulses in the femtosecond range. Its task is to prepare the cornea for the actual correction. Depending on the method, it creates an ultra-thin corneal flap in the Femto-LASIK procedure or a precise lens-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) inside the cornea in the SmartSight method. Its use makes mechanical instruments unnecessary and ensures maximum safety and predictability.
The excimer laser: It is responsible for the actual vision correction. Using a process called photoablation, it removes microscopically thin layers of corneal tissue without heating or damaging the surrounding tissue. At EyeLaser, we use the SCHWIND AMARIS 7D laser, which compensates for even the smallest eye movements in real time thanks to its 7-dimensional eye tracking, guaranteeing unrivalled precision.

The path to clear vision: your treatment process at EyeLaser Zurich

From the initial consultation to the full restoration of your vision, your journey with us is clearly structured to provide you with maximum safety and comfort.

SmartSight (KLEx)

Minimally invasive, without flap incision
Lower risk of dry eyes
Quick return to sport & everyday life
Mehr erfahren

Femto-LASIK

Globally proven and safe technology
Very fast improvement in vision
Ideal for many types of visual impairment
Mehr erfahren

A Life without Glasses – Success Stories from Zurich

Case study 1: The sporty marketing manager

Patient: “Laura S. (32), Marketing Manager from Zurich”
Problem: Severe nearsightedness (-6 dpt) and dry eyes from contact lenses in an air-conditioned office. Jogging and swimming with visual aids was always cumbersome.
Solution: After a thorough analysis of the cornea, the minimally invasive SmartSight method was chosen because it is particularly gentle on the tear film.
Quote: “The freedom to wake up in the morning and see the clock on the wall clearly is indescribable. I finally feel unrestricted when playing sports. The care provided by Dr. Derhartunian was extremely professional and personal from the start.”

Experience Visual Freedom through your Lenses or Laser Eye Surgery

Case study 2: The experienced project manager

Patient: “Michael B. (48), Project Manager from Winterthur”
Problem: The onset of presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) made the constant switching between distance and reading glasses at work a torment.
Solution: A premium lens replacement with EDOF multifocal lenses, which corrected the farsightedness and restored sharp vision up close and on the computer.
Quote: “I was skeptical whether you could really see well again at all distances. The result exceeded my expectations. It is an enormous increase in the quality of life, not only at work, but also when reading the menu in the restaurant.”

Prices & Methods Overview

Method	Price per eye (CHF)	Advantages	Ideal for …
Trans-PRK	1,500 – 2,000	Touch-free, superficial, gentle	Thin cornea, sensitive eyes
Femto-LASIK	1,800 – 2,200	Proven standard, very fast recovery	Many diopter ranges
SmartSight (KLEx)	2,500	Minimally invasive, no flap, dry-eye-friendly	Sports, active professions, dry eyes
ICL (phakic lens)	from 3,500	Reversible, excellent optics, high diopters	Very high myopia/astigmatism, thin cornea
Premium lens replacement (RLE)	from 4,000	Permanent solution incl. Presbyopia	From approx. 45 y., presbyopia, early clouding of the lens

Methods in Detail

SmartSight (KLEx)

Minimally invasive, without flap incision
Lower risk of dry eyes
Quick return to sport & everyday life
Mehr erfahren

Femto-LASIK

Globally proven and safe technology
Very fast improvement in vision
Ideal for many types of visual impairment
Mehr erfahren

Your Ophthalmologist – Expertise and Trust in the Heart of Zurich

Trans-PRK

Surface procedure, completely touch-free
Particularly gentle on thin corneas
Healing takes a few days longer
Mehr erfahren

ICL (Phakic Lens)

Ultra-thin, biocompatible additional lens
Correction of very high diopter values possible
Reversible & excellent image quality
Mehr erfahren

Premium lens replacement (RLE)

Replacement of the body’s own lens with an EDOF/multifocal lens
Permanent solution that also corrects presbyopia
Particularly useful from the age of 45 years
Mehr erfahren

Presbyopia Treatment in Zurich

PresbyMAX (Laser concept) – Extends the depth of field and thus improves the near and intermediate range while maintaining distance vision.
Lens replacement (EDOF/Multifocal) – Premium lenses for the greatest possible independence from glasses at all distances.
Allotex Transform – An innovative, additive (tissue-sparing) inlay concept; only with specific suitability and availability.

Schedule your preliminary examination now

Experience Visual Freedom through your Lenses or Laser Eye Surgery

In this video, Dr. Victor Derhartunian explains which laser eye treatments are available at EyeLaser Zurich: