What to Expect

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY LASER VISION ASSESSMENT WITH DR LAHOOD AT ADELAIDE EYE & LASER CENTRE WHERE HE CONSULTS, HIT THE BUTTON BELOW.

BOOK COMPLIMENTARY LASER VISION ASSESSMENT

It is completely normal to be a little nervous about having any kind of surgery.

Ben understands this and takes the time to make sure that you have the chance to ask any questions you may have and fully understand the procedure, what your recovery will involve, and the likely outcome for your vision.

In the meantime, the below provides an idea of what you can expect when considering laser vision correction to improve your vision and your lifestyle.

Pre-surgical appointment

As laser vision correction is elective you do not need to be referred by your optometrist and you are able to book a pre-surgical appointment directly with Ben.

Your first step is a pre-surgical appointment to determine if you are a suitable candidate, and what type of laser vision correction technology will provide you the best visual outcomes.

You can expect this appointment to go for approximately 90 minutes and is complimentary. It is an opportunity to meet Ben and ask any questions you may have. You will also be asked to fill out some paperwork if this is outstanding.

It is recommended that you attend with someone, or arrange for transport home, as you will not be able to drive home from the appointment due to the use of drops that may affect your vision for up to 24 hours.

During this appointment you will undergo several painless tests and eye measurements in preparation for procedure day if you decide to progress. The facility that Ben practices at has a complete suite of ophthalmic technology and so in most cases any testing is able to be undertaken on-site and in the one appointment for your convenience.

You will also be provided detailed information about your procedure, your recovery and following appointments and the outcomes you can expect.

When booking this appointment, you will be instructed about a period of not wearing your contact lenses so that your eye measurements can be as accurate as possible.

Day of procedure

On the day of your procedure, please wear comfortable clothing, flat shoes and no make-up. You are not required to fast and so can drink and eat beforehand. When you arrive, please present to reception and a staff member will assist you.

You can expect to spend approximately two hours at the centre in total. Before your procedure you will be given anaesthetic eye drops and a mild relaxant if you would like it. The procedure itself is quick, on average taking less than one minute per eye and most patients experience mild discomfort and no pain.

After the procedure you are seated in a recovery lounge where you can rest until you feel like going home, where its advised you rest and sleep if possible. The more you can sleep and let your eyes rest and recover in the first 24 hours the better you will heal and feel the day after surgery, and the quicker your recovery.

Post-operative appointment

On the day after surgery you will see Ben for your post-operative appointment where he will check on your eyes and answer any questions you may have.

You will not be able to drive home from your appointment, so it’s a good idea to arrange for a friend or family member to attend or collect you after surgery. We also recommend that you have a responsible adult with you for the following 24 hours.

Recovery

Each patient’s recovery will be slightly different based on the laser vision correction undertaken and the individual nature of surgery.

More information on recovery times and expectations can be found on the pages below:

Risks and complications

It is important to note that any surgery carries a degree of risk and the possibility of complications. As laser vision technology has become more proven, these risks have decreased and complications are rare and are generally able to be resolved through follow up care or on their own, however, it is important to be aware of them.

Some of the risks and complications include:

Over- or under-correction of your refractive error: this means that the focusing power of your eye is slightly outside the target range after surgery. It is uncommon and can almost always be corrected with an enhancement procedure to further refine the shape of your cornea. The rate of enhancement procedures is approximately 1–2% worldwide. Ben offers complimentary enhancement procedures within five years of your initial surgery if required.

Fluctuating Vision: this is when your vision fluctuates and may not be as clear as it was immediately after the procedure. It occurs uncommonly while the patient’s vision is stabilising after surgery and normally resolves within six months. This fluctuation is most often due to surface dryness.

Dry eye: this is a common side-effect for a few weeks or months after surgery but tends not to be an ongoing issue. If it persists, there are usually other underlying issues. Dry eye is more likely after LASIK, so ASLA/PRK may be recommended instead if you have a history of this condition.