Are you planning on undergoing laser eye surgery? If so, you may be wondering about the process. The first step to determining whether it is the right procedure for you is getting a consultation. Understanding it is the best way to be comfortable with the entire process. 

LASIK Consultation

If you are considering LASIK, the first step to better vision will be a LASIK consultation. The purpose of this appointment is to collect patient information so eye doctors can determine their suitability for surgery. The consultation also aims to educate patients about their treatment options. 

What to Expect

Your eye doctor creates highly detailed measurements and a complete assessment of your eye and its capabilities during your consultation. You want it to be accurate and thorough since the information gained will determine three critical things:

• Your overall eye health.
• If LASIK is appropriate for your vision, eyes, and lifestyle.
• If you are a good candidate and choose to move forward with the treatment, the information from your consultation will determine the vision correction treatment.

Some of the things to expect from your consult include the following:

Medical History Review

Once you arrive for your consultation, your eye doctor will ask you several questions and review your medical history. You should answer all questions as thoroughly and as honestly as possible. That is because several eye conditions may disqualify you from laser eye surgery. 

Your eye doctor may recommend other vision correction options if you have any disqualifying condition. Remember to disclose any medications you may be taking, plan on taking, or recently took. Certain drugs can interfere with the surgery's success or healing of your eyes. Your eye surgeon will determine whether you should continue or stop taking your medications.

Comprehensive Eye Exam

A comprehensive eye exam will be the next step in your consultation. Your eye doctor will determine whether your vision is stable enough. During the examination, your doctor will check your vision and eye health and may perform the following tests:

• Vision acuity.
• Dominant eye test.
• Eye dilation.
• Digital images.
• Tear film analysis.
• Eyelid inspection.
• Corneal Mapping

A corneal topography to map the eye’s surface will provide the necessary information to program the treatment laser. That is crucial since the procedure involves using a laser to reshape the front of your cornea. A detailed measurement of the corneal thickness and shape will confirm your eligibility for surgery.

Discussing the Procedure

Following your eye exam, your eye surgeon will walk you through the entire LASIK journey. He/she will discuss how to prepare for surgery and when to stop wearing contact lenses and taking medications. The doctor will discuss your operation day, what to expect during the procedure, what you should bring, aftercare tips, and what to expect after your procedure. 

Question Time

Once your surgeon finishes explaining the procedure, it is time for you to voice any questions or concerns. That will help you clarify any aspects of the preparation, operation, or aftercare that are still unclear to you. 

Conclusion

LASIK can seem complex and intimidating, but it has a very high success rate and is minimally invasive. The goal of a consultation is to collect as much information as possible. That is only possible through diagnostic tests and tools that measure and evaluate every aspect of your eye.

For more on LASIK surgery, visit Montebello Optometry at our Montebello, California office. Call (323) 888-9111 to schedule an appointment today.