Lens Surgery Patient Journey
Follow the patient journey, from the initial consultation through to treatment day. Achieve the vision you deserve!
Your Free Consultation
At your consultation we will take automated tests of your eyes, which include digital imaging of the eye, computer measured glasses prescription, corneal thickness, OPD Wavefront analysis, iris recognition and internal eye pressure tests.
These tests take around 30 minutes and are pain-free. Your personal consultation will establish if you are suitable for treatment. You will receive a thorough eye examination to ensure the health of your eyes and a second eye test to verify your prescription. We will discuss your general health, lifestyle and personal expectations for good vision.
You will be advised of all relevant risks and alternatives, and have the opportunity to ask any questions. We will then advise you of your suitability for treatment. For high prescriptions, eye drops may be applied to examine the eye and you may be unable to drive for up to 24 hours while your vision is blurred. You are welcome to be accompanied.
Consultations are subject to a booking deposit (£10 weekdays, £30 Weekends) this is refundable after attending the consultation.
Contact Lens Wearers
Contact lenses affect the surface of the eye and they must be removed before your consultation and treatment. Eye tests can be inaccurate if you have not removed your lenses for long enough.
- Soft/disposable lenses: remove for two days before consultation.
- Soft Toric (astigmatic) and extended wear soft lenses: leave out for one full week.
- Hard, gas permeable: remove for three weeks before consultation. Soft lenses may be used instead.
Surgeon Assessment
You will have your surgeon assessment 1-2 weeks before your treatment date. At the appointment, you will meet your treating surgeon who will examine your eyes and confirm the best lens for you according to your lifestyle, prescription, age, and general eye health. This is also when you can ask any questions regarding your treatment.
Treatment
Lens surgery is performed on one eye at a time, one week apart. On your treatment days you will need someone to accompany you and take you home as your vision will likely be blurry and not safe for driving.
Outpatient Surgery
All treatments are performed on an outpatient basis, this means you don’t need to stay at the clinic and can go home the same day. Diabetic patients are advised to have a light snack to maintain their sugar levels.
Preparation
Prior to surgery (approximately 45 minutes) anaesthetic and pupil dilation drops will be administered by the nursing team. The area around the eye is cleaned and your face is then covered with a sterile drape.
Surgery
The operation takes approximately 20 minutes. The eyelid is held open and surgery is carried out under a microscope. Treatment is painless and you are fully awake during the procedure. A mild sedative can be taken to make the surgery as stress-free as possible, which can be obtained from your GP beforehand.
Following Surgery
Once your surgery is completed the eye is covered with a shield. You are advised to rest at the clinic for about 30 minutes before going home. After a few hours the anaesthetic wears off and you may feel mild discomfort in the eye, which should fade within 36 hours. Your Optimax surgeon will prescribe eye drops and medication to take home, together with written instructions on how to use them.
Advice is provided in our Aftercare Leaflet. Our overnight aftercare helpline will give you complete peace of mind. It is important that you are accompanied home after surgery and to your first aftercare appointment.
Your eyesight will be blurred for a few days following treatment, but should be good enough for you to proceed with surgery to your second eye. This usually takes place in the following week. Vision will slowly improve over the next month or so and the final result may be achieved after several months.
Aftercare Appointment Programme
The treatment cost includes all aftercare until you are discharged with a satisfactory result.
| Implantable Contact Lens | Lens Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st visit | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| 2nd visit | 7–10 days | 7–10 days |
| 3rd visit | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| 4th visit | 3–6 months (discharge if satisfactory) | 3–6 months (discharge if satisfactory) |
Refining Your Result
If a prescription remains after surgery, it may be possible to fine tune your result with Laser top up treatment, which is included in your treatment cost. An occasional side effect after cataract treatment is Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) which causes blurry or cloudy vision. This is not an indication that there is anything wrong with the procedure. It can easily be treated using a YAG laser and it only takes minutes to perform. If this is needed, there will be a charge.
