Preparing for your initial Laser Eye Surgery appointment

Being prepared for your initial laser eye surgery appointment will help you comfortably make the decision whether to go ahead with the procedure. We've put together some notes for things to consider and discuss with your surgeon as one of the main purposes of the initial consultation is finding out if the treatment is right for you.

Am I a suitable candidate?

Laser eye surgery corrects vision problems like myopia (short sightedness), hypermetropia (long sightedness) or astigmatism. Laser eye surgery is most suitable for people who have a moderate degree of refractive error and no unusual visual problems. Your eye’s prescription should be stable for at least 12 months before you consider Laser Eye Surgery and you should be at least 21years of age. This is because your vision may continue to change up until that age.

Aside from your prescription, suitability for Laser Eye Surgery also depends upon the shape and thickness of your corneas.

Other factors that your surgeon will assess and ask about are your general eye health and your general health as some conditions can cause delayed healing responses or a poor outcome. Laser eye surgery isn’t right for everyone all the time and alternative options may be more suited for you.

What result are you expecting from laser eye surgery?

Laser refractive surgery is intended to be a once-only permanent correction for focusing errors; the changes made to your cornea are permanent and completely stable. Most people achieve 20/20 vision, however the exact results depend upon factors such as your prescription and your level of vision before treatment. Most people will see just as well, if not better, than what they did when they wore glasses or contact lenses. So you can expect to throw away those glasses for good.

What are your expectations from having laser eye surgery? Do you want to be able to play sport without wearing contacts, swim at the beach, read a menu, recognise people’s faces at a distance - without wearing glasses? Your surgeon will ask you about your lifestyle and what’s important to you when planning your individual treatment plan.

Have you researched the clinic and the surgeon?

There are a couple of things you can do before you even get to the first appointment. Talk to people who have had laser eye surgery and read reviews. What have other people’s experiences been with the clinic, have they felt informed throughout the process, what was the quality of the after care, are they pleased with their results?

One way of spotting a good surgeon is by checking if they have specialist fellowship training in the procedure and a further qualification, such as a postgraduate degree in Refractive Surgery, as this demonstrates they are skilled to the highest level. Have they contributed to research in Refractive Surgery. Does the surgeon take the ultimate care and responsibility for your eyes - are they the same person who assesses you for your suitability or do you first meet the surgeon on the actual day of the procedure. Do they have an active, well established practice and are you comfortable with the professionalism of the staff and the cleanliness of the facility, location and overall surroundings.

Is there free car parking available?

Okay, so this question isn’t as important as the others. But, the point is - has the clinic provided you with all the information that you need to be stress free in arriving at your appointment for laser eye surgery?  The attention to detail and experience you receive from making your initial enquiry and attending the first appointment will help you decide with confidence whether to proceed.

To book a free laser eye surgery assessment with Dr Reece Hall at Bowen Eye Clinic call 0800 69 2020 or email: info@boweneye.co.nz