Latest studies suggest the average time off work is 3 days after EVLT – compared with 12 days after open varicose vein surgery.

EVLT is a minimally invasive way of treating varicose veins. Instead of making a cut in the groin and stripping the vein from the thigh, the surgeon uses a fine laser fibre to zap the vein from the inside.

The laser energy damages the vein walls, shrinking them and closing the faulty vein so that the blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates the varicose vein problem at it's source.

EVLT is less painful than open surgery and people return to work faster than after open surgery. There is less bruising and there are no incisions in the top of the leg. EVLT can also be done under local anaesthetic without the patient being put to sleep.

Remarkably painless. Most patients find they need to take painkillers for a few days only. Sometimes patients can feel the treated vein as a tender cord in the thigh after the operation, but this feeling goes away within a couple of weeks.

Remarkably few. The commonest complication is a vein irritation that lasts a couple of weeks, but very few patients get this.

The all-important FREE consultation can take up to 2 hours so we can really get to understand your unique eyes. You can return to work after this, but do not drive yourself as we may have to use drops to dilate your pupils and this can make your vision blurry and slightly more light sensitive. Treatment including immediate post-treatment time will be around 2 hours. You should not return to work that day. Each aftercare appointment can take up to 15 mins.

Usually about 4-5 days. Most patients feel some fatigue and weakness for 3-5 days but are able to return to normal functions after about 5-7 days. If you do manual labor, you may wish to stay off of work a little longer.

Not much. Lasers that can close the saphenous vein are diode lasers that fall in the narrow ranges 810 to 980nM of the infrared electromagnetic spectrum. Each company that has developed a laser for this purpose has tacked its own acronym on the procedure. From what I can tell, they all work about the same. The only difference comes when you take the same laser and aim it at spiders and other tiny veins.

The vein is identified just above the knee and the entire leg area is cleaned with an anti septic ointment. The entire procedure is performed with ultrasound visualization of the vein. A small amount of local anesthetic is applied and a needle is place in the vein. Through this vein is inserted a small laser probe. The probe is then identified with Ultrasound to verify its position and then the laser is slowly heated with low energy.

The procedure leaves no scars, is associated with minimal postoperative pain, a rapid recovery period and provides almost immediate relief from symptoms. Minor soreness and bruising can be treated with over-the-counter, pain medication. After the procedure, all patients are encouraged to walk and resume their normal activities. A follow up appointment is made with the doctor in 1-2 weeks.

All data indicate that EVLT is a safe and effective procedure. The procedure does not involve any incisions and is relatively painless and has minimal complications.

The technique does not treat spider veins nor does it treat veins in the lower leg. Today, with an increased emphasis of preserving the veins for future use for either coronary artery bypass or some vascular procedure, EVLT completely destroys the vein and makes it unusable for future use.

Rarely. The vast majority of patients go home on the same day as the treatment with bandages on the legs and painkillers

Theoretically anyone can get a DVT after any surgical procedure. However, the risk of DVT after EVLT is very low (less than 1 in 400).

Not widely at this time. Mr Chaloner and Mr Sweeney do offer EVLT on the NHS at Lewisham Hospital where they treat approximately 25 patients per month