Before the surgery, you will first need to undergo a pre-LASIK
evaluation test to determine your suitability and the exact
type of LASIK surgery that is most appropriate.
Prior to this pre-LASIK evaluation, you will need to forgo
contact lens wear for at least five days (or ten days if you
are wearing hard contact lens).
This is because contact lens change the shape of the cornea
and not leaving them out long enough for the cornea to resume
its natural shape will pose negative consequences, and the
tests conducted will not yield accurate results. This will
initiate a poor surgical plan, resulting in poor vision after
the surgery.
The pre-LASIK eye examination will include
the following:
vision
testing to check the visual acuity
testing of the eye power (objective refraction)
subjective
refraction to fine-tune the objective refraction
eye
pressure checks for glaucoma (tonometry)
detailed
examination of the front part of the eye using a
special
instrument called a slit lamp biomicroscope, with
special
attention to the cornea
dilated
pupil examination of the eye, with special attention to
the clarity
of the crystalline lens and excluding any retinal
problems
(such as retinal tears/retinal detachments)
computerized
testing of the eye power following the dilated pupil
examination as this will detect any false myopia
component
(pseudomyopia)
measurement
of the corneal thickness (pachymetry) to
determine
suitability for LASIK surgery
computerized
mapping of the corneal surface to screen for irregular
astigmatism and keratoconus.
The risks and benefits
of LASIK surgery will be explained in detail to you. You
will also have the opportunity to ask and address any concerns
you may have during consultation with our eye surgeon. Please
bring along a pair of sunglasses as your eyes will be light
sensitive and vision slightly blurred after the dilated
pupil examination during the pre-LASIK evaluation.
The pre-LASIK evaluation
is best done in the morning, to give you the option of performing
your LASIK surgery on the same day, should you be suitable.
You are advised to stop creams, lotions, make-up and perfumes
on the day of the surgery as these products as well as debris
along the eyelashes may give rise to complications during
the surgery and increase the risk of infection during and
after surgery.
