How do i know which procedure will suit me?
As there are a variety of refractive procedures available, the procedure best suited to your individual eyes ad needs will be determined after a thorough assessment with special instrumentation and counseling about your visual requirements.
What is the success rate of the surgery? Is it hazardous?
In our experience with laser refractive surgery, it is very rare to have an unsatisfactory outcome. The process of laser vision correction is not perfectly predictable and it is not unusual to need an adjustment procedure a few months after initial treatment. This is included in the cost of the procedure. Incidence of secondary treatment is about 5%.
All surgical procedures including laser vision correction carry risk of complications some of which could cause permanent damage to vision. Severe or debilitating complications such as infection, kerectasia (corneal distortion), corneal scarring or retinal damage are extremely rare.
What is monovision?
Monovision, or blended vision, is when one eye's focus is set for distance and the other for near. The brain blends the vision to give a good overall visual outcome. This method of correction greatly reduces the need for glasses and can be achieved using LASIK, PRK , lens exchange or cataract surgery.
What is wavefront analysis and custom corneal ablation?
Improvements in technology and instrumentation in refractive surgery have allowed much more refined definition of focal imperfections in the eye (wavefront analysis) and more refined reshaping of the cornea for correction (custom corneal ablation). We have the latest technology in our Centre for carrying out these processes.
What happens if I look around during the laser treatment?
The laser has a state of the art eye-tracker that will track each and every minute movement that your eye makes. The laser only works when the eye is perfectly aligned so there is no chance of your looking around affecting the procedure. The good news is that most people find it very easy to keep the eye still by focusing on the target fixation light.
Why would someone not be a good candidate?
There are a number of reasons, they include their prescription is either too high, or their corneas are too thin, or their eyes are too dry. Another reason being they have an underlying corneal condition that prevents them from having laser eye surgery. All of these conditions are determined on a one-to-one basis during your comprehensive one hour assessment with our team of Orthoptist/Surgeons.
Will I have to stop wearing contact lenses before the operation?
It is desirable that use of soft contact lenses cease a few days prior to you consultation and surgery. Hard or rigid contact lenses need to be removed at least 2 weeks prior. If you are unsure of what to do our staff can advise you further.
Will I feel any pain during the procedure?
There is a very high margin of safety and remarkable freedom from discomfort with these procedures. You may experience some post-operative discomfort which is managed by eye drops and medications.
How much time will I need to take off work?
Most people do not go to work the day after LASIK surgery. Following surface laser ablation (PRK / LASEK) we advise one week off work.
Does my health insurance cover the procedure?
Many refractive surgery procedures are not covered under private health insurance and Medicare. Costs and possible rebates are always fully discussed on the day of your consultation.
I don’t have any health insurance; do you have a payment plan?
Yes, we have a payment plan with Certegy Ezipay. For terms and conditions, please speak to our Bookings staff.
Does the sydney eye specialist centre treat oveaseas patients?
We regularly receive email enquiries and have treated many overseas patients from Europe, United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia & Pacific Islands.
Overseas patients find our centre suitable for their treatment for several reasons; we are very flexible with appointment and treatment schedules and the relatively low pricing structure in Australia is attractive for visitors. It is also well known that medical standards in Australia are very high.
Please be in touch if you need any advice about coming to Sydney for eye treatment.
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