THE SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT

People normally become aware of EuroEyes through different channels; which vary from articles or advertisements in the press, as recommendations through friends and acquaintances, by seeing reports on TV or through viewing our website on the net. In our experience many of our patients have considered having their eyes lasered for some time before they take the step to book a LASIK suitability assessment. They have often already requested information material and/or visited us at one of our information evenings.

As LASIK has become more mainstream and widely accepted as a viable alternative to spectacles or contact lenses, people have become more and more informed about exactly who is suitable for this type of treatment and who can be trusted to provide the quality of service our eyes deserve. Nowadays in order to provide even more clarity to the general public as to who to trust, the leading clinics in Germany undergo a regular Quality Management Certification. The most recent development is the undergoing certification of laser clinics in Germany by the TÜV Sud certification institute. Euroeyes were one of the first to obtain this stringent certification in their clinics.

The average person presenting at our clinics is between 19 to 60 years of age and have a stable refractive correction, with their prescription not having changed more than 0.50 to 1.00 Dioptres over the last 2 to 3 years. LASIK is a suitable correction for the following refractive errors; Myopia (shortsightedness) from –1.00 to –11.00 Dioptres, Hyperopia (longsightedness) up to around +4.00 Dioptres (higher corrections are possible should this be combined with astigmatism), Astigmatism up to around 4.00 / 5.00 Dioptres.

The first consultation involves a Suitability Assessment answering the question “am I a suitable candidate for laser refractive surgery, and if not what other alternative refractive surgery procedures will rid me of my spectacles and contact lenses” . People who are out of range of the above values can almost always be very successfully helped with other refractive surgery procedures such as a Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) or an Intraocular Contact Lens (ICL).

We at EuroEyes are dedicated to providing you with a balanced informed consultation with “no strings attached”. The range of tests carried out will include measuring the size of your pupils (using a pupillometer) , measuring the shape and thickness of your cornea (using an Orbscan videokeratoscope) and assessing the quality of your vision. The latter is done objectively using an Aberrometer , and subjectively by means of testing your vision in manners similar to the normal measurements carried out by your Ophthalmologist or Optometrist. After this you receive a detailed consultation with our Ophthalmologist where all aspects concerning your suitablility for refractive surgery will be discussed with you. Should you be suitable and decide to have a treatment, there follows the pretreatment assessment which takes place on the same day or at a later stage. Here your eyes are thoroughly examined and a series of measurements are taken in order to prepare you for the treatment.

Should you be living abroad and are wanting to come to Germany for your treatment, then we have a system in place whereby you are able to forward us by post or e-mail the necessary measurements of your eyes obtained from your local Eye Specialist. This information is then analysed by our surgeons before booking your appointment, ensuring you a smooth and efficient organisation of your planned treatment with us. EuroEyes specialises in treating patients from abroad.

THE PRE-TREATMENT ASSESSMENT

It is important that contact lens wear is discontinued in the period leading up to this consultation (soft lenses 1 week before, form stabile or hard lenses 2 weeks before) This is because contact lenses have an influence on the structure and physiology of the cornea. The basis of this assessment is a detailed consultation and examination by one of our Ophthalmologists. Your eyes will be thoroughly measured, your binocular vision status assessed and your pupils will be dilated using eye drops. The purpose of these drops is to allow us to examine your retina and inner eye, and then to measure your eyes under cycloplegia. This is where your eyes are fully relaxed and the focus mechanism of the eye cannot artificially affect the stability of the measurements taken. One of our ancillary staff will also explain to you the post treatment procedure and how and when to instil the eye drops which you receive to accompany you through the healing phase. The entire consultation takes around 2 hours and you will not be able to drive for the rest of the day.

Should you have any further questions you may first want to read the section FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) or contact us directly using this form. Or telephone +49 (40) 30 39 99 93.