{"id":37775,"date":"2026-09-14T12:57:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T10:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/correction-after-laser-eye-surgery-elsewhere\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T06:49:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T04:49:11","slug":"correction-after-laser-eye-surgery-elsewhere","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/correction-after-laser-eye-surgery-elsewhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Correction after laser eye surgery at another clinic"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.page-template-default h1,.single h1,body h1{max-width:1140px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-left:20px;padding-right:20px;box-sizing:border-box;color:#03293b}\n.elx{max-width:1140px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px 50px;color:#555d60;line-height:1.65;font-size:17px}\n.elx h2{color:#2b337b;font-size:1.85em;line-height:1.3;margin:1.8em 0 .3em}\n.elx h3{color:#2b337b;font-size:1.15em;margin:0 0 .5em}\n.elx .sub{margin:0 0 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0;padding:16px 22px;margin:1.2em 0;font-size:.95em}\n.elx-check{display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start}\n.elx-check .ck{flex:0 0 auto;width:28px;height:28px;border-radius:50%;background:#eef8fd;color:#00b4eb;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center}\n.elx-wrap{overflow-x:auto;margin:1em 0;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e6ebf0;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.06)}\ntable.elx-t{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;min-width:520px}\ntable.elx-t th,table.elx-t td{padding:14px 20px;text-align:left;border-bottom:1px solid #eef1f5}\ntable.elx-t thead th{background:#2b337b;color:#fff;border-bottom:0}\ntable.elx-t tbody tr:last-child td,table.elx-t tbody tr:last-child th{border-bottom:0}\ntable.elx-t tbody th{font-weight:700;color:#03293b}\ntable.elx-t td{white-space:nowrap}\n.elx-faq details{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e6ebf0;border-radius:10px;margin:10px 0;box-shadow:0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.05)}\n.elx-faq summary{cursor:pointer;font-weight:700;color:#2b337b;padding:18px 22px;list-style:none;position:relative;padding-right:44px}\n.elx-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\n.elx-faq summary::after{content:\"+\";position:absolute;right:20px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);color:#00b4eb;font-size:1.5em;font-weight:400}\n.elx-faq details[open] summary::after{content:\"\u2013\"}\n.elx-faq details p{margin:0;padding:0 22px 18px;font-size:.96em}\n.elx a{color:#00b4eb}\n.elx-byline{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:14px;margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:.92em}\n.elx-byline img{width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:50%;object-fit:cover;border:2px solid #00b4eb}\n.elx-byline b{color:#03293b}\n.elx-sticky{display:none}\n@media(max-width:700px){.elx{font-size:16px}.elx-cta{padding:22px}\n.elx-sticky{display:flex;position:fixed;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;z-index:9990;background:#fff;box-shadow:0 -4px 14px rgba(3,41,59,.14);padding:10px 12px;gap:10px}\n.elx-sticky a{flex:1;text-align:center;border-radius:999px;padding:12px 8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;font-size:.95em}\n.elx-sticky .b1{background:#00b4eb;color:#fff}\n.elx-sticky .b2{background:#eef8fd;color:#2b337b}\nbody{padding-bottom:64px}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"elx\">\n<div class=\"elx-quote\">A laser procedure at another clinic has not brought the hoped-for result: <strong>a residual prescription, regression, halos or persistently dry eyes.<\/strong> Whether a correction is sensible and safe is decided by measurements of the cornea, not by intuition. We also tell you when we advise against it.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-byline\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/dr-victor-derhartunian-portrait-klein.webp\" alt=\"Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"52\" height=\"52\"><span>Medically reviewed by <b><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/about-dr-victor-derhartunian\/\" style=\"color:#03293b\">Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO<\/a><\/b><br \/>Ophthalmologist &middot; Last updated: 16 September 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stats\">\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>&ge; 3 months<\/b><span>usual interval after the first procedure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>MS-39<\/b><span>AS-OCT: flap, epithelium and corneal thickness visible<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>CHF 300<\/b><span>pre-assessment, credited against treatment<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-stat\"><b>25&#8217;000<\/b><span>refractive procedures by Dr. Derhartunian<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-cta\">\n<p>Looking for a second opinion?<small>Free consultation, also by video call &middot; Records from the first clinic help but are not a condition<\/small><\/p>\n<p><span><a class=\"elx-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/book-an-assessment\/\">Book a free consultation<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class=\"elx-tel\" href=\"tel:+41442219502\">+41 (0)44 221 95 02<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"gruende\">When a correction is an option at all<\/h2>\n<p class=\"sub\">Not every unsatisfactory result is a case for the laser. These four situations are the most common, and they need different answers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"elx-grid\">\n<div class=\"elx-card\">\n<h3>Residual prescription<\/h3>\n<p>Some short-, long- or astigmatic error remains, usually under one dioptre. If the cornea is thick enough and the values have been stable for three months, this can be fine-tuned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-card\">\n<h3>Regression<\/h3>\n<p>The result was good at first and has drifted back over months, more often after higher corrections. What matters is that the drift has come to a stop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-card\">\n<h3>Halos, glare, ghosting<\/h3>\n<p>Typical with a small or decentred treatment zone, a large pupil or residual astigmatism. The cause shows in topography and wavefront, and not every cause needs surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-card\">\n<h3>Dry eyes<\/h3>\n<p>Common after flap procedures and usually temporary. Here we treat first and do not laser. A laser on a dry eye needlessly prolongs recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-note\"><strong>A special case:<\/strong> If the cornea becomes thinner and more irregular after the procedure (ectasia), further tissue removal is ruled out. We then stabilise first, with cross-linking or <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/keratoconus\/\">keratoconus<\/a> ring segments, and correct afterwards, usually with a lens.<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"messen\">What we measure at the pre-assessment<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Corneal thickness and reserve<\/strong><br \/>How much tissue did the first procedure use, how much remains for a correction, and how much must remain afterwards? This calculation decides whether a laser is safe at all.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Flap and epithelium on AS-OCT<\/strong><br \/>The MS-39 shows flap thickness, epithelial thickness across the whole cornea and scar zones. A thickened epithelium can explain part of the regression.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Front and back surface<\/strong><br \/>Topography and tomography reveal irregularities, decentration and early signs of ectasia that remain invisible from the prescription alone.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Wavefront and pupil<\/strong><br \/>Higher-order aberrations and pupil size in the dark explain halos and glare. They also determine whether a wavefront-guided treatment makes sense.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Tear film and ocular surface<\/strong><br \/>Dryness distorts measurements and results. It is treated before any decision and measured again.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-check\" style=\"margin:14px 0\"><span class=\"ck\">&#10003;<\/span><span><strong>Stability<\/strong><br \/>Two measurements weeks to months apart. If the prescription is still changing, we wait.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"wege\">Which routes exist<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-wrap\">\n<table class=\"elx-t\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Starting point<\/th>\n<th>Possible route<\/th>\n<th>Requirement<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Residual prescription after LASIK, flap intact<\/th>\n<td>Lifting the flap and re-lasering, or a surface treatment on the flap<\/td>\n<td>stable values, sufficient reserve, flap clearly assessable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Residual prescription after SMILE or SmartSight<\/th>\n<td>Surface treatment (<a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/lasek-prk-trans-prk\/\">Trans-PRK<\/a>), in selected cases Femto-LASIK over the cap<\/td>\n<td>regular cornea, sufficient thickness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Residual prescription after PRK or Trans-PRK<\/th>\n<td>A repeat surface treatment<\/td>\n<td>stable values after at least six months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Thin or unusual cornea<\/th>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/laser-eye-surgery\/phakic-lenses-icl-in-zurich-the-clear-solution-when-laser-eye-surgery-is-not-possible\/\">ICL lens<\/a> inside the eye, no further tissue removal<\/td>\n<td>sufficient anterior chamber depth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Presbyopia has been added<\/th>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/?page_id=19775\">PresbyMAX<\/a> with a clear lens, otherwise <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/lens-surgery\/lens-replacement\/\">lens exchange<\/a><\/td>\n<td>age, lens condition, expectations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Ectasia<\/th>\n<td>Cross-linking or CAIRS first, then a lens<\/td>\n<td>early diagnosis, no further laser ablation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"ablauf\">How it works with us<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-grid\">\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Initial consultation<\/h3>\n<p>Free, by video call on request. You describe what bothers you and send any records you have. We tell you openly whether the journey is worthwhile.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Full pre-assessment<\/h3>\n<p>About 90 minutes with all the measurements above. CHF 300, credited against a treatment. You receive a written assessment, even if we advise against surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Decision and price<\/h3>\n<p>Procedure, target and price are binding before you commit. No surgery on the same day; you should decide in peace.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-step\"><span class=\"n\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Procedure and aftercare<\/h3>\n<p>Performed personally by Dr. Derhartunian. Checks in the first three months are included, after which the annual check is chargeable. How a day of surgery unfolds is described <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/day-of-laser-eye-surgery\/\">the day of surgery<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"weiter\">Further reading<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/guide\/refractive-revision-surgery-in-zurich-expert-repair-for-eye-laser-lens-complications\/\">refractive revision surgery<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/keratoconus\/\">keratoconus<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/augenlasern\/\">laser eye surgery overview<\/a> &middot; <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/laser-eye-surgery-costs\/\">all prices<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently asked questions about correction after surgery elsewhere<\/h2>\n<div class=\"elx-faq\">\n<details>\n<summary>Can you correct after a LASIK or SMILE at another clinic?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, if the conditions are right: stable values, a sufficiently thick and regularly shaped cornea, no sign of ectasia. The pre-assessment clarifies this. We regularly treat patients whose first procedure took place elsewhere.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>How long ago must the first procedure be?<\/summary>\n<p>As a rule at least three months, for PRK procedures rather six. Before that the values still fluctuate, and correcting a moving target makes no sense.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Do I need the records from the first clinic?<\/summary>\n<p>They help a lot: values before the procedure, the method, the target and the corneal thickness. If they are missing we can measure much ourselves, in particular flap and epithelial thickness on AS-OCT. We only contact the first clinic with your consent.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What does the correction cost?<\/summary>\n<p>We give you the price after the pre-assessment, binding and in writing; it depends on the procedure needed. The pre-assessment costs CHF 300 and is credited against a treatment. Supplementary insurance contributes in individual cases; we issue all receipts.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Is a second procedure riskier than the first?<\/summary>\n<p>The risk depends less on the number of procedures than on the remaining cornea and its shape. That is why we calculate beforehand how much tissue the procedure needs and how much remains. If the reserve is tight, we advise against the laser and suggest a lens.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What if the cornea is too thin?<\/summary>\n<p>Then further laser ablation is not safe. Alternatives are the <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/laser-eye-surgery\/phakic-lenses-icl-in-zurich-the-clear-solution-when-laser-eye-surgery-is-not-possible\/\">ICL lens<\/a>, which corrects without removing tissue, or, with presbyopia, a <a href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/lens-surgery\/lens-replacement\/\">lens exchange<\/a>. Dr. Derhartunian discusses both with you based on your measurements.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What about halos and glare at night?<\/summary>\n<p>First we measure: pupil size in the dark, centration of the treatment zone, wavefront. If the zone is too small or decentred, a topography- or wavefront-guided correction can help. Sometimes time and treating dry eyes is enough.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Who operates?<\/summary>\n<p>Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian personally, from the pre-assessment to the final check. He has been performing refractive procedures for over 20 years, including revisions after procedures at other clinics.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-cta\">\n<p>Measure first, then decide.<small>Free consultation &middot; Pre-assessment CHF 300, credited against a treatment<\/small><\/p>\n<p><span><a class=\"elx-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/book-an-assessment\/\">Book a free consultation<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class=\"elx-tel\" href=\"tel:+41442219502\">+41 (0)44 221 95 02<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"elx-sticky\"><a class=\"b1\" href=\"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/book-an-assessment\/\">Gratis Erstgespr&auml;ch<\/a><a class=\"b2\" href=\"tel:+41442219502\">Anrufen<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A laser procedure at another clinic has not brought the hoped-for result: a residual prescription, regression, halos or persistently dry&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-37775","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37775"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37775\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eyelaser.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}