1. Corneal Topography and Pachymetry: This test maps the surface curvature of your cornea and measures its thickness. People with corneal thickness less than 500 microns are not ideal candidates for LASIK and may need to consider other options like Smart Surface Ablation (TPRK) or ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
Oculus Pentacam for Corneal topography
2. Refraction: Determines the exact prescription for your glasses or contact lenses, assessing nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Your refraction should be stable for at least 6 months after the age of 18 years to be considered for LASIK.
3. Cycloplegic Refraction: This test temporarily paralyzes the eye’s focusing muscles to provide a more accurate measurement of refractive errors. You will experience blurred vision for 3-4 hours due to the dilating drops used, so it is advisable not to drive yourself to the clinic.
4. Dilated Fundus Examination: A thorough evaluation of the retina and optic nerve to ensure there are no underlying eye conditions that could affect surgery outcomes. In some patients, there might be Lattice Degeneration (a weak area) or a Retinal Hole/Break, which would require barrage laser treatment prior to LASIK surgery to avoid complications like retinal detachment.
The pre-LASIK workup typically takes around 30-45 minutes to complete. Once all the tests come back normal, you can proceed with LASIK and enjoy a glasses-free life!
