Description
What to Expect
The Pre-Lasik Evaluation is a comprehensive series of eye tests that will take 2 to 3 hours to complete. An ophthalmologist will perform a detailed eye examination along with computerised assessments of your eye’s cornea to determine your suitability for LASIK / Advanced Surface Ablation procedures / ReLEx® SMILE.
The test results will determine if you are a suitable candidate. Taking into account your work and lifestyle needs, our doctors will then discuss your options for refractive correction and if a particular technique is best suited for you.
The series of eye tests include (but not limited to):
Ziemer GALILEI™ Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer
Abbott WaveScan® WaveFront System
Bausch & Lomb’s Orbscan II
Oculus Pentacam® HR
The test results will determine if you are a suitable candidate. Taking into account your work and lifestyle needs, our doctors will then discuss your options for refractive correction and if a particular technique is best suited for you.
Things to note prior to Pre-Lasik Evaluation:
- If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing soft lenses for at least 3 days and hard lenses for 14 days before you come in for the assessment.
- Do not wear contact lenses during your eye screening.
- Please bring your prescriptive glasses for your appointment.
- We may instil eye drops to dilate the pupils of your eyes and that may blur your near vision for a couple of hours. Dilation of your eyes is an important step during the eye screening. You will most likely resume normal vision within the next 12 to 24 hours.
- Some patients might also experience glare and discomfort during and after the eye screening.
- You are advised not to drive on the day of your eye screening.
Same Day Surgery: Kindly inform our team your request for same day surgery. You will then be scheduled for a morning appointment where your eyes can be prepped for surgery in the afternoon (if you are eligible for laser vision correction). The clinic is also open on Saturdays should you wish to schedule for same day surgery.
What is Lasik?
LASIK (Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is one the most popular laser vision correction procedures, with more than 28 million LASIK procedures performed worldwide to date.
A corneal flap is created using a femtosecond laser or mechanical microkeratome. If the femtosecond laser is used to create the flap, then the procedure is considered ‘Bladeless’.
The corneal flap is folded back to expose the underlying corneal bed and to allow excimer laser ablation to occur. Laser excimer ablation is necessary to reshape the corneal surface so that refractive errors can be treated. The flap is then replaced back into its natural position and smoothened. LASIK is performed with numbing eye drops only and both eyes are usually treated at the same time. The entire process may take around 20-30 minutes.
Typically, visual recovery occurs in the first week following surgery and the eye may feel irritated for a day or so only. Medicated eye drops are prescribed for 1 week afterwards. There is usually little down time after LASIK and patients are able to participate in most activities with the exception of water sports for the first month.
Is Lasik for You?
LASIK is one of the most popular methods for near-permanent vision improvement because of its minimal downtime and quick recovery period. Since it was first approved in 1999, LASIK has been regarded as a safe and successful method of vision correction.
LASIK surgery has also advanced steadily over the years; the technology used to measure your refractive error prior to surgery has become advanced and corrections can be optimised to your needs.
You will be Eligible for LASIK if you:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Have had a stable vision prescription for at least 1 year
- Are in good general health
- Have no existing eye diseases (eg. cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eyes, retina problem)
- Have sufficient corneal thickness
- Are not pregnant. You can, however, proceed with LASIK 2 months after delivery
Possible Risks & Side Effects
Temporary side effects do occur after LASIK, although uncommon. The most common temporary side effect you may experience is dry eyes. This may last a couple of months after the surgery.
Another common temporary side effect is night vision problems, which manifest as haloes, starbursts and glares lasting between 9 and 12 months. The risk of infection after surgery is also possible, though generally low – 1 in 10,000 people. In unlikely instances of infection, seek immediate treatment as delayed treatment may lead to vision loss.
