How much time will you spend with me before my surgery?

There is no official guideline for how much time your clinician, patient care coordinator or surgeon should spend with you before you head into the surgery room; however, this can be an important consideration when choosing the right clinic.

You should feel that you have been given enough time to ask any questions concerning your treatment. You should also receive a full eye health examination, including a wide range of tests during your pre-operative screening appointment. This can take up to 2-3 hours and, generally, the more time taken for this step, the better, as more tests will give your surgeon a clearer picture of your eyes.

In addition, you should also be asked to attend a one-to-one consent appointment with your surgeon. This should take place on a separate day from your initial consultation.

Your “Cooling-Off” Period

Guidelines from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommend a minimum “cooling-off” period of one week between the procedure recommendation and your surgery being performed.

In circumstances where a one-week cooling-off period is impractical for the patient (such as for patients travelling long distances), this may be shortened. The reasons for this will be discussed between yourself and your surgeon and noted in your medical records.

At London Vision Clinic, we require a minimum of one day for your cooling-off period. This allows you the chance to fully digest the information provided during your initial consultation and to consider any concerns or questions you would like to discuss with your surgeon. This period should allow you time to make an informed decision as to whether to proceed with treatment.

You should also be given the opportunity to discuss your treatment with your surgeon before the procedure, as they are the individual who will ultimately be responsible for the outcome of your surgery. Meeting your surgeon before surgery day can also help to make you feel more at ease when going into surgery.