Posted by: Manhattan LASIK Center

What Happens at a LASIK Consultation?

A LASIK consultation is the first step in the LASIK eye surgery process. Most laser surgeons, including the experienced team at Manhattan LASIK Center, offer free LASIK consultations, so you can get more information about the procedure and candidacy at a no-obligation consultation. You can expect the consultation to last for about two to three hours. This comprehensive consultation aims to evaluate if you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery.

In turn, your LASIK surgeon in Roslyn will get vital information about your overall eye health. These details are crucial when performing your personalized surgery. So, what can you expect during a LASIK consultation?

A Review of Your Medical History

The first step in a LASIK consultation is reviewing your medical history. Your LASIK surgeon will ask you some questions in this regard. You should be open and honest about your and your family’s medical history. 

It is necessary because some conditions are not compatible with LASIK surgery. In case you have any of these conditions, your LASIK surgeon can recommend other options. These may include contact lenses, eyeglasses, or other refractive surgeries.

Also, inform your LASIK surgeon of the medications you are taking or recently took. If you are planning to take other medicines, disclose this information too. Some medications are detrimental to the success of LASIK or the healing process. Your LASIK surgeon will advise you accordingly.

A Comprehensive Eye Exam

The next stage will be a comprehensive eye exam. It is similar to other eye exams you have ever had. Your Roslyn LASIK surgeon will determine if your vision is stable enough to give accurate results. He/she will examine your vision and overall eye health. Some of the tests your surgeon may perform include:

  • A standard vision test
  • Measuring corneal thickness
  • Refraction to determine the prescription/amount of correction needed
  • Eye pressure
  • Pupil dilation
  • Ultrasound Pachymetry to determine the corneal thickness
  • Inspection of your eyelid
  • Digital imaging
  • Tear film analysis

Mapping Your Cornea

Next, your LASIK surgeon will execute a corneal topography, completely mapping your eye’s surface. This provides your surgeon with essential data to program the laser during the surgery. This is a very important step since it will help customize the laser that will be reshaping your cornea. 

Detailed dimensions of the thickness and shape of your cornea will also determine your eligibility for LASIK surgery.

Discussing the LASIK Surgery

After the comprehensive exam, your surgeon will explain the whole LASIK procedure. Your surgeon will discuss how you need to prepare for the procedure—for instance, informing you when to stop taking medications or wearing contacts. 

You will also discuss the LASIK surgery day, what to bring, and what you can expect. Your aftercare will also come up. Other discussions include the risks and cost of the procedure.

Asking Questions

After enough explanation, you can ask questions or express your concerns. If you need any clarification on any of the issues discussed above, this is your chance. You could ask questions like:

  • Are the results guaranteed?
  • Is there a need for a second surgery?
  • Are there things to avoid during recovery?

LASIK is a minimally invasive procedure that has a high rate of success. Seek the assistance of a professional LASIK surgeon when you are considering getting the surgery. To get a FREE Virtual LASIK consultation, contact Manhattan LASIK Center at our office in Roslyn, New York, at (516) 461-2300 today.