FAQs

Preparations for LASIK

Q1. How do I know if I’m suitable?

Not everyone is a good candidate for laser eye surgery. To ensure you are suitable, you must first undergo a LASIK suitability assessment, or a full eye examination at OPTIMAX.

The eye examination also includes a very thorough counseling session where the following will be explained to you:

  • What method of surgery you are suitable / not suitable for
  • The way the surgeries are done
  • What to expect after the surgery
  • The risks and side effects that may apply to your individual condition
  • Aftercare
  • Pricing of surgeries and payment methods

Yes, you do.

  • For semi hard or RGP contact lens wearers, we recommend that you lay off your lenses for at least a month before your eye examination.
  • For soft contact lens wearers, we recommend that you lay off your lenses for 1 to 2 weeks before your eye examination.

Yes, an advanced appointment booking is recommended to avoid any waiting time or disappointment (eg: availability of optometrists or surgeons)

The eye examination takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete.

Because we practice a NO COMPROMISE policy when it comes to your safety. Therefore we need to ensure that:

  • you are really suitable for treatment, and that the surgery can be performed on your eyes safely, and with minimal risk.
  • you understand the risks that may apply to your eye condition
  • Amblyopia/ lazy eye assessment
  • Visual acuity
  • Refraction – eye power measurement
  • External ocular muscle assessment
  • Intraocular crystalline lens examination
  • External eye examination
  • Ocular crystalline lens examination
  • Fundus eye examination
  • Corneal topography (corneal mapping)
  • Corneal pachymetry (corneal thickness)
  • Color vision test
  • Dry eye assessment

That’s a lot of tests. What are the significance of all those tests? More info at EYE EXAMINATION explanation page

No. We cannot vouch for the accuracy and reliability of tests performed elsewhere.

OPTIMAX offers other refractive procedures for those who are not suitable for LASIK treatment, it includes Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lens and Ortho-K lens.

Early onset of presbyopia (difficulty in reading) can be corrected with LASIK treatment. However, OPTIMAX also offers other ocular surgeries for those who have more serious reading problems.

LASIK Risks and Side Effects

Q1. Does LASIK surgery come with any risks?

Yes, of course. Every surgery has its own risks, and all these risks will vary among individuals.

Which is why our NO COMPROMISE, pre-treatment eye examinations take 2 to 3 times longer, or require more measurements than other clinics. We need to make sure that

  • you are really suitable for treatment, and that the surgery can be performed on your eyes safely, and with minimal risk.
  • you understand the risks that may apply to your eye condition.

Yes, they do. The side effects that come with LASIK are normally short-term, and during the recovery process.

Some of the common ones are:

  • temporary dry eyes, which can be overcome with the use of artificial tears or lubricant drops
  • minor vision fluctuation during the recovery process

Which is why your post operative checkups are scheduled in a such way that we can monitor your recovery

Travelling or Overseas Patients

Q1. What kind of documents are needed for registration?

For Malaysians, please bring along your MyKad for registration. For non-Malaysians, please present your passport during registration.

Follow up visits are usually scheduled 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the treatment day.

It is advisable to come back for your 1 day and 1 week post-operative check up. However, if you are unable to attend every visit, you may continue your checkups back in your home country on the recommended check up date.

Not to worry, we have had many patients who could only stay for their 1 day check up, and were given the approval to fly back the next day by our surgeons (after assessing their eye condition during the 1 day checkup).

These patients will then continue their 1 week check up at their respective home countries. However, the above situation is normally applicable for ZEISS SMILE® and Femto-LASIK patients. If you are undergoing an ASA treatment, we recommend that you stay to see us for your 1 week post op check up.

If you are unfamiliar with the area, we can suggest some nearby hotels and arrange transportation for you.

The Do’s and Don’ts after Lasik

How soon can I travel on an airplane?

Depends on method of surgery. For quicker healing methods such as the Femto-LASIK and ZEISS SMILE®, you can even fly the next day (provided you are given the green light to do so by your doctor during your one day post op check up).

The altitude will not affect the flap in your eye, however, your eyes will feel rather dry when you are on board the airplane. Just use your lubricating eye drops and you should be fine.

For slower healing methods such as ASA, it is recommended that you remain on ground for at least a week.

For the first week, we recommend that you:

  • Don’t rub or squeeze your eyes
  • Don’t allow sweat to get into your eyes
  • Don’t use any makeup around the eye area
  • Don’t engage in any rough or body contact sports
  • Avoid dusty or smoky places

For the first month, we recommend that you refrain from:
Swimming, sauna, and facial treatment