The main reason that patients choose to have Laser Refractive Surgery performed on the same day as their assessment is that both the assessment and the surgery require the patient to be off their contact lenses for a minimum of 1-2 weeks (1 week for soft contact lenses, and 2 weeks for RGP lenses).
We have many patients who simply cannot tolerate using spectacles for an extended period of time, and want to minimise the duration of time that they are in spectacles. Hence they choose to only have one period of 1-2 weeks where they are spectacle dependent. This obviates the need to have a second duration of spectacle-use only.
Having the assessment and surgery performed on the same day is a common request, however this makes the day extremely long. Some patients choose to have surgery performed on a different day as they cannot spare an entire-day in the clinic. The advantage of splitting the examination and the surgery into 2 half-days instead of a long-day, is that it allows another refraction to be performed on the day of surgery itself. This advantage lies in the consistency of another refraction performed that is separated by date and time.
Either option is perfectly acceptable, and we help patients who choose both options in equal measure. Discuss your concerns with your ophthalmologist, and together you’ll decide whether surgery on the same day is suitable for you!
