What is Laser Eye Surgery? The Screening Process
If you’re considering going ahead with Laser Eye Surgery treatment, you probably want to know what you can expect from the process. At London Vision Clinic, our friendly and knowledgeable clinic coordinators are on hand every step of the way to answer any questions you might have. But in the mean time, we know how important it is to have informative resources at your disposal.
That’s why we take the time to provide up-to-date information on all things Laser Eye Surgery – and beyond! – including this guide to our comprehensive screening process.
So, let’s start at the beginning: What is Laser Eye Surgery?
An Innovative Solution to Refractive Errors
Laser Eye Surgery has been around for a lot longer than many people realise. In fact, it was first made available to the public around almost four decades ago, and since then, it has helped tens of millions of people around the world to improve their visual acuity (with many of them able to ditch their glasses for years to come!).
Refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism, occur due to an abnormally-shaped cornea. For example, short-sightedness manifests when the cornea is too steep, causing light entering the eye to be focused in front of the retina (the photosensitive layer at the back of the eye).
Laser Eye Surgery uses high-precision lasers to remove an area of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea. This allows light to be focused more directly on the retina, correcting the refractive error.
This innovative procedure can now also be used to correct presbyopia (ageing eyes). By correcting each eye in a slightly different way, we can create a “blend zone” which accommodates clear vision across all distances, often completely removing the need for reading glasses!
But before you can go ahead with Laser Eye Surgery, we need to ensure you are suitable for the treatment. So, what does this involve?
A Rigorous Screening Process
Arguably the most important step in the whole Laser Eye Surgery process, the screening assessment allows our doctors to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. Your suitability can be affected by a number of factors, including the severity of your prescription, the health of your eyes, and the presence of any existing health conditions.
To determine this, we conduct a wide range of eye tests and examinations, in addition to assessing your medical history. At London Vision Clinic, the screening process is particularly comprehensive, often taking up to three hours (much longer than some other providers). This allows us to gather as much information as possible to accurately determine your suitability and create a detailed, personalised treatment plan.
So, what does our screening process involve?
Initial Screening
The initial screening allows us to determine your general suitability for Laser Eye Surgery. While some clinics may turn around up to 20% of patients, the good news is that, with the latest equipment, the vast majority of people can be candidates for treatment. At our Harley Street clinic, we are able to treat around 97% of the patients we see!
This initial appointment will involve several steps. First, one of our friendly Patient Care Coordinators will explain the process and what you can expect. They will be on hand to help you with any concerns or questions and to generally help put your mind at ease.
Next, it’s time for some tests and examinations: A member of our clinical team will measure your eyes using several different technologies and tests. This includes measuring the exact geometry and thickness of your corneas (the clear window at the front of the eye). This is critical as the Laser Eye Surgery procedure involves removing an area of the corneal tissue, so we need to make sure your eye can accommodate this.
We will also check for tiny imperfections in the way your eye focuses light. This allows us to identify any visual defects beyond your prescription. It also helps us to assess your vision in low light conditions, which can improve your chances of achieving 20/20 vision (or better) post-surgery.
Other tests will include measuring your pupil size and how they adapt in different light conditions. This is particularly important for ensuring good night vision after your treatment.
Optometrist Assessment
After these initial tests, one of our expert optometrists will review the results in preparation for a more extensive eye examination. At this stage in the process, we will test a range of things, including the health of your tear film to your ability to distinguish objects in low contrast conditions.
If your vision is naturally deteriorating due to ageing, we will also test your tolerance for PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision – our revolutionary treatment for presbyopia.
In some cases, we may also recommend an Artemis Insight 100™ scan. This ultrasound scanner, co-invented by our very own founder and expert surgeon, Professor Dan Reinstein, is the most accurate corneal scanner in the world. It provides us with detailed measurements of each individual layer of the corneal tissue, showing how their thickness varies across the surface. This can be particularly useful if you have astigmatism or thinner corneas.
For some of these tests, we may need to touch the surface of the cornea. We administer anaesthetic eye drops to minimise any discomfort throughout your examination.
Our first priority is to ensure you feel comfortable and informed at every step of this process.
Ophthalmic exam
If you’re suitable for Laser Eye Surgery, and would like to go ahead with treatment, we will conduct a final ophthalmic exam.
This allows us to gather even more detailed information about your eyes. At this stage in the screening process, we will need to artificially dilate your pupils, using special eye drops. This can affect your sensitivity to light and may cause blurry vision for up to a few hours.
In the video above, London Vision Clinic patient Lucy, explains some of the questions we recommend asking during your consultation.
On the Day of the Surgery
So, you’ve decided to go ahead with Laser Eye Surgery. You have undergone the entire screening process and have been found suitable for treatment. After meeting with your surgeon, we will attempt schedule your surgery for a time that is most convenient to you – hopefully, as soon as possible!
On the day of your surgery, our clinic staff will talk you through what to expect from the treatment itself and provide you with all the information you need relating to your aftercare. You will also be offered complementary drinks, chocolates, and even a head massage to help soother any last minute nerves!
We take a holistic approach to Laser Eye Surgery as we want our patients to feel as relaxed as possible when heading into the treatment room. Still, we understand that you’re bound to feel a little nervous. But by this stage, you can rest assured that we know your eyes in minute detail, and we will have a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcomes!
Nevertheless, the first thing your ophthalmic surgeon will do is a final examination, to double-check previous measurements and confirm the bespoke programming that will be created for each of your eyes. You will then be accompanied to the preparation area before heading to theatre.
The Laser Eye Surgery Treatment
Depending on the type of procedure you have (90+% of patients will have LASIK), your treatment will be typically be complete in a matter of minutes. Your surgeon will talk you through every step of the process, so there will be no nasty surprises!
Moreover, you’ll be glad to learn that Laser Eye Surgery won’t hurt. You can expect to feel some pressure in your eye during the treatment, which can feel a little uncomfortable; however, there shouldn’t be any pain. For the most part, all you need to focus on is looking straight at the green flashing light (but don’t worry if you need to move – our eye-tracking technology will compensate for this!).
Once the procedure is complete, many patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision. However, the procedure will cause some swelling in your eyes, which can cause some fogginess and fluctuations in your vision for the following days. Still, the immediate improvement can be quite overwhelming!
Your Aftercare
In addition to a rigorous screening process, we also provide comprehensive aftercare. This involves a series of follow-up appointments, starting from 24 hours after your treatment. These appointments allow us to track the progress of your healing and recovery, and ensure your procedure went as planned. In a small number of cases, we may feel that more can be done to improve your vision, at which point, you will be offered an enhancement procedure – free of charge.
However, for the vast majority of patients, all there is to worry about is following your aftercare routine. This includes applying lubricating eye drops in the days and weeks following your treatment. This helps to reduce any dry eyes or itchiness as your eyes heal.
Laser Eye Surgery can seem daunting – until you actually know what’s involved. Naturally, the journey is different for every patient, depending on their needs, but in most cases the fundamental process for all laser eye treatments is the same.
So, if you’re feeling ready to take the next steps, we can help. Get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today to start your own Laser Eye Surgery journey.
