Before Laser Eye Surgery - The Initial Consultation

This is carried out to determine your personal suitability for surgery and to determine which type of operation you may be best suited for and give an idea of the likely results.

Initially you are interviewed about your lifestyle, your expectations about laser eye surgery and the results you hope to acheive visually and also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have.

The next stage is to carry out a thorough eye test to determine a current up to date eye prescription and to take precise measurements of the eye structures.

It is normally recommended that you are accompanied by a friend or relative at this examination as part of the procedure involves using eye drops which dilate your pupil and blur your vision for up to 18 hours.

Also it is advised to carry a pair of sunglasses on this day,as bright lights and dilated pupils can cause discomfort.

If you normally wear contact lenses these can affect the corneal curvature and consequently it is necessary if you wear soft lenses to discontinue wear for at least one week prior to,and on the day of consultation,and with hard and gas permeable lenses to discontinue wear at least four weeks prior to and on the consultation day.

Normally you need to complete a general health questionaire.You are then normally given a complete eye examination,including microscopic examination of the eye (often photographed digitally for future comparative analysis post operatively) by an optometrist to evaluate general ocular health and also for an accurate determination of your spectacle prescription.

The other main procedures which are carried out are listed below and for an explanation of the techniques involved and how the results of which are used,simply click the highlighted text

corneal thickness and biometric eye measurements

Pupillometry

Wavefront Analysis

Based on the result of these examinations your eye surgeon will advise you about the most suitable procedure for you,discuss the risks and also the alternatives.You also have the opportunity to ask any further questions you may have.

You can then decide whether or not to proceed to a surgical appointment.

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