Laser eye surgery - should I get paid sick leave?

[antsinmypants]

Having never needed specs, I've had an eye test and now I do need them. But I've decided to go for laser surgery instead (too vain!). I'll need about 5 days off work afterwards to recover - should I get paid sick leave?

[Pinkchampagne]

Do you not get a certain number of days covered for sick leave?

I had laser eye surgery around 9 years back.
I had mine done on a Thursday & was fine to go back to work the following Monday.
That was with the old kind of surgery.

[hairymclary]

hmm i don't know as it's cosmetic. i'd be interested to find out though

[kid]

I'm sure this would come under self inflicted as you are choosing to have the treatment, its not vital. If that is the case, you would not get paid for the time off. You could always fib about the reason you are off and they will be none the wiser. I think it will take more than 5 days to be fully recovered though, I thought it was nearer 2 weeks.

[hatwoman]

dh had his eyes lasered on a saturday and was at work as normal on monday. are you sure you need 5 days?

[Pinkchampagne]

Don't know about the new laser surgery (thought recovery time was quicker though tbh), but I was fine to return to work 4 days after surgery.
My eye was pretty painful for the first 2 days, but felt much better by the Sunday & I was fine to return to work on Monday. (I worked in a primary school) I did have to apply eye drops every few hours though.

[kid]

I thought your eyes were sensitive to light for a while after surgery. I did look into having it done myself but I am a big wimp!

[edam]

Check your contract of employment. But am puzzled, like the others - why five days? Are you having CK rather than Lasik?

Check your surgeon is in the GMC's specialist register and is a consultant opthalmic surgeon, a fellow of the Royal College of Opthalmology, preferably recognised by the NHS, who has considerable experience of performing laser eye surgery and performs these operations at least weekly. Ask to see his/her results - for people with similar prescriptions to you - no point looking at a table which includes people with very minor short sight if yours is extreme, will not give a good comparison.

these people produce a useful guide to laser eye surgery. I'm not in a position to recommend this particular clinic but their guide is, I believe, reputable.

[SoupDragon]

I was under the impression that your prescription had to have been stable for a certain period of time before you could have surgery.

I don't actually think you should get paid sick leave though. It's cosmetic.

[Pinkchampagne]

I think there is a chance they can be, but mine were ok.
When I had my surgery done, they only did one eye at a time & you had to go back 3 months later to have the other one done.
I was a total wimp & was dreading going back for my second eye to be done!
Really glad I had it done now though, as my sight is perfect!

[edam]

That should read 'Royal College of Ophthalmologists' btw.

[edam]

Oh, and Soupy's right, your vision should be stable - doesn't sound as if yours is if you have only just got to the point of needing glasses? There are clinics which are very keen on getting business. I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole, personally. The side-effects of laser eye surgery, if it goes badly, can be permanent i.e. beyond correction. You could, for instance, be left unable to drive at night.

There is a reason why most eye surgeons either have naturally perfect vision or wear glasses...