Pre Lasik Evaluation

LASIK Surgery is the MOST APPEALING option to rid bothersome spectacles sliding off my low and oily nose bridge and dry contact lens wear!
After faithful matt red frameless glasses lost in a war with mishandlement by its careless owner, it 'mysteriously' became one-legged the moment owner jr came back from slumberland. No accidents were reported by sister/room mate of jr. After using one day lenses (which's claims to be damn comfortable) and crippled glasses for a couple of days, i decided on LASIK surgery after success stories of 5 friends. Moreover, im more or less done with school and am training to be a sloth under the influence of significant others. For many, the main reason for LASIK's either comesis or convenience. Me-the latter. I love everything bout my handicapped glasses and dont mind being diggggged at for wearing glasses to an important function.

The analogy of going to a private eye practitioner is similar to an orthodontic consult. A private clinic has shorter appointment waiting lists, shorter waiting time, service orientated pleasant looking staff, no significant differences in prices compared to stat boards, etc.

Located right in the heart of Orchard Road, Paragon is renowned for its upmarket fashion labels and worldclass specialist medical services. It houses The Lasik Surgery Clininc at unit #13-01/06.
An appointment was a phone call away. I was greeted by a courteous operator and given a slot to come in the very next morning at 9.30am!
Upon arrival, I was attended to immediately. I requested for Dr SK Yap. The waiting area's spacious with adequate seats, reading material, internet access and a lil pantry are serving light snacks and instant beverages. A Chinese national was helping herself to all things edible but i had to stay away from cariogenic bad carb snacks. :( I know im getting pudgier as days go by and i dont want Yap to faint from breath odour!

Optometerists did the pre-LASIK eye examination which included the following:
1) vision testing to check the visual acuity
2) testing of the eye power (objective refraction)
3) subjective refraction to fine-tune the objective refraction
4) eye pressure checks for glaucoma (tonometry) [The optometerist let out an accidental shot of air which shocked the both of us. She apologised countless times!]
5) dilated pupil examination of the eye, with special attention to the clarity of the crystalline lens and excluding any retinal problems (such as retinal tears/retinal detachments) [I was momentarily shocked when the hazel wavelets of my irises were replaced by ultra huge pupils! This is what causes the glare, i think]
6) repeat testing of the eye power following the dilated pupil examination to detect any false myopia component (pseudomyopia)
7) measurement of the corneal thickness (pachymetry) to determine suitability for LASIK surgery (I had to repeat this procedure 4times. Ms Optom said either i moved (WHICH I DIDNT) or my lashes were too long ['is that a compliment?', i cheekily said.]
8) computerized mapping of the corneal surface to screen for irregular astigmatism and keratoconus. [Yap commented on my thick cornea!]

Following which was an approx10mins patient education clip on stylo mylo iMacG5, counselling session(think along the sake of informed consent) and a 40min wait for Yap.
The ang moh patient got a lil grouchy bout the long wait and started firing at the poor clinic assistant even after explaining that Yap's doing a procedure and has a patient(me) before him. Apologising for the long wait didnt spare her from the abundant fountain of expat saliva. Throughout, my brows were knitted with digust. I loathe patients who cant wait. Its like, EXCUSE ME SIR, if you aint got the time, reschedule your appointment since lasik's optional! The staff are here to serve but dont treat them like they owe YOU a living. Either you wait and be nice or (insert a vulgarity of your choice) off. Your slot can easily be filled. There they are slogging out and facilitating to serve you the best they know how and there you are, ass on the fluffy cushioned couch with a cuppa coffee watching Martha Stewart, totally uncouth!

Anyhows, Yap's a nice humble looking ophthalmologist who greeted me "Hello, hello, ni hao" which shook off all the tension in me. He did a detailed examination of the front part of the eye using a special instrument called a slit lamp biomicroscope, paying special attention to the cornea. He gave clear instructions. I was dismissed 5mins later to the payment counter.

An attractive staff came and instilled 2 kinds of eye drops after explaining the breakdown of charges.
A zillion thanks to Susanna Wong who told me bout SAFRA discount, slashing a significant (approx) SGD400 off the total bill! HAPPINESS + + + !!!
An even earlier appointment was given(Sat 1115am!) thou i prebooked a slot on Mon.

:)

Overall customer satisfaction (to date): 4.5 out of 5 dilated pupils.

The Lasik Surgery Clinic should use this as personal relations and give me a token of appreciation for such a whole and awesome review. Dont you agree?

Everyone's more worried than i am, esp Mum who kept grumbling bout the poor system at work cuz leave wasnt approved, who went on and on and on asking me to rest, post op care, finding someone to accompany me down, bringing sunglasses (OH YES! I CAN FINALLY PUT MY OAKLEY SHADES TO GOOD USE!!!!) mode of payment, and everything that i thought and knew what to do. Im not a lil girl anymore! I grew up long ago, momma. I think im THE KID who gives my parents the least worry. But the one who spends the most money (by working for herself okay! Aint no wastrel), although sometimes, being viewed by others as parsimonious.

Thanks to all my friends who apparantly are a lil like mum(Laughs out LOUD), i appreciate the thought. :)

Ok larh. I've to admit im a lil worried post op. =X

N's up next for LASIK pre evaluation on Wed! Grey irises the camera cant see.