What will happen at the consultation?

If we invite you for a complimentary consultation with one of our eye care specialists, there is a very good chance that you will be suitable for one or more of the procedures we offer. However, as we don't need to treat great volumes of patients, we can be more selective when recommending laser eye surgery to our patients. You may be more suitable for one of our non-laser procedures, but your eye specialist will be able to advise you on this.

Below, you will read all about what happens at an initial consultation. If you feel that you might not be ready for a consultation, learn more about what we offer by attending one of our free patient seminars.

• Meeting your vision care specialist
• Learning about the tests carried out at the initial consultation
• What happens after the consultation

Meeting your vision care specialist

When you come in for your initial consultation you will be met by your Patient Services Advisor. After a short discussion outlining what to expect, your Co-ordinator will introduce you to one of our handpicked eye specialists. This optometrist will then conduct an extensive examination of your eyes.

Hint: It's a good idea to wear your glasses to this consultation, should you have them. If you wear contact lenses, please let us know when you call us, so that we can advise you on their removal timeframe prior to the consultation.

What types of tests are carried out?

Among the many specialised tests (measuring your eye pressure, assessing the quality of your tears, measuring your pupil size), your eye specialist will carefully measure your eyes on our Orbscan topographer and the Zywave wavefront aberrometer. Don't worry; none of these tests are uncomfortable in any way. This Orbscan creates a three-dimensional map of your cornea. It tells the eye care specialist whether your cornea is healthy and if it is thick enough to perform treatment (and indeed, which treatment). Using an Orbscan is necessary to ensure that your cornea is suitable to perform a safe treatment.

Your optometrist will then perform Zywave wavefront aberrometry. This instrument measures the minor optical imperfections of the eye. There are many benefits of Wavefront guided treatment, but its main advantage is better quality of vision.

After a full review of the front of your eye, your eye care specialist will dilate your pupils so that they can examine the back of the eye. These kinds of tests are important to evaluate the overall health of your eye, just so we can be sure of anything that may influence your decision to have treatment.

You can expect to be at the hospital for at least 1 to 1.5 hours. If we do find you suitable for a procedure, we will then recommend the procedure that is best for you. After they recommend the treatment, your eye specialist will outline for you what you can expect in regards to:

• Healing time
• Any potential side effects
• Any relevant risks and complications

In summary, your eye specialist will ensure that what you want and what we are offering is indeed the same thing. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions and air any concerns you may have. Our eye specialists are more than happy to spend as much time as you need to ensure you aren't leaving with any unanswered questions.

Hint: As we will be dilating your eyes you may be a little more sensitive to light than usual, and your vision may remain a little blurry for up to 4 hours after the consultation. Therefore, it's a good idea to arrange for some alternative method of transportation after the consultation. Even better, bring a friend!

What happens at the end of the consultation?

Once we know what procedure we are recommending, your Patient Services Advisor will provide you with any further advice that you may need, including:

• What happens on the day of treatment (before, during and after)
• What does the laser look like (you can have a look at it beforehand if you wish)

Hint: It's a good idea to bring your diary to this appointment, because you will likely be arranging appointments for your treatment and your initial post-operative dates and times.

After choosing dates and times with your Patient Services Advisor, they will review payment options with you. To secure a treatment date and time, you will be expected to put down an initial investment, which is roughly 10% of the laser eye treatment fee.

Meet our team of laser eye specialists.

Read more about what happens on the day of treatment, or call us on 0845 409 2408 to arrange a consultation.