In a healthy vein, blood will flow smoothly to the heart and is prevented from flowing backwards by a series of tiny valves. Sometimes these valves will weaken or become damaged, allowing blood to flow backwards and collect in the vein. When this happens, the vein can become swollen and enlarged - causing varicose veins to form.

EVLT is a minimally-invasive laser treatment for painful or unsightly varicose veins. The treatment typically takes about 30-40 minutes, quickly removing varicose veins while minimising pain and recovery time.

EVLT was recommended as the preferred surgical option for varicose veins by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in 2013. The complication rates are the lower than for the old style ‘high tie and strip’ operation. We’ll make sure that all safety precautions are taken during the operation, including asking you to wear special glasses while your Consultant uses the laser.

Approximately 85% of people with varicose veins are suitable for EVLT, but your Consultant will discuss your suitability with you after assessing and scanning your varicose veins.

Using ultrasound, your Consultant will position an EVLT laser fibre into the diseased vein via a small hole in your skin. The heat generated causes the vein to close and blood is prevented from flowing through the vein which shrinks and fades; your body absorbs it and it disappears naturally.

After treatment, you should wear your bandages for five days before soaking them off in the bath. You can then wear a compression stocking which you should keep on for two weeks.

Studies suggest the average time off work after EVLT is three days, compared with 12 days after open varicose vein surgery. You should have recovered enough to drive a car after five days.

By two weeks after surgery, most patients are back to light exercise.

If, after six weeks, there are still small veins left in your calf, they can be removed by injecting them with a chemical in our outpatients department to improve the appearance of your leg. This is known as sclerotherapy.

Long haul flights (more than four hours) should ideally be avoided for four weeks after surgery.

This used to be very common with the old ‘high tie and strip’ operation, where up to 30% of patients would get a significant recurrence after surgery.

Nowadays, after laser surgery, the risk of a recurrence is about one percent. However, there is about a ten percent chance of another vein on that leg - or the other leg - becoming varicosed over the following decades. But, for most people, EVLT resolves any problems with varicose veins.

Self-paying patients

If you need treatment, but don’t want to wait, you can access EVLT quickly as a self-pay patient without needing a GP referral. Make an appointment by completing our online form or by calling our Private Patient Team on 01580 363158.

Benenden Health members

If you’re a member of Benenden Health, please contact their Member services team on 0800 414 8100 to discuss your treatment. You’ll need a referral from your GP.

NHS patients

You should arrange to see your GP for a referral letter.