Diagnostic Evaluations

Before any procedure is suggested or performed, a patient needs to go through the correct channels of diagnosis.

Initially, when first enquiring about treatment at a clinic, you will go through a series of tests usually performed by an ophthalmologist, ophthalmic assistant or an optometrist. All our facilities are equipped with specialised eye testing equipment. State of the art equipment is used to guide our ophthalmologists in order to determine the most appropriate treatment which is to be administered to a particular patient. Some of the diagnostic tests which are to be conducted are explained below.

Corneal Topography (mapping the cornea)

An accurate corneal topographical map will allow your ophthalmologist to gather essential information on the precise thickness of your cornea and the measurements of both the outer and inner surfaces.

Pachymetry (measuring corneal thickness)

In addition to the corneal thickness measurement obtained by the corneal topographer, we can measure corneal thickness using an ultrasonic pachymeter.

Pupillometry (pupil size)

It is very important that an accurate measurement is made of your pupil size in complete darkness. This will give your surgeon the necessary information on the size (in diameter) of your required treatment area.

Refraction (determining your prescription)

A refraction is measured using a series of powered lenses through which a patient would study a chart, and choose the lens which enables them to see most clearly. The optometrist or ophthalmologist is able to write up a three part prescription based on the lenses chosen for the patient.

A prescription with three parts looks like this: -2.00/-1.25 x 90.

The first part (-2.00) shows us the amount of power (in diopters) you need in correction to focus your vision.

The second part (-1.25) represents the amount of astigmatism (also in diopters).

The third part (90) represents the axis (measured in degrees) of the astigmatism.

Tonometry (measuring ocular pressure)

Tonometry is the measurement of eye pressure. The measurement is used to rule out Glaucoma in patients seeking surgery and to ensure stability during surgical procedures.

Wavefront aberrometry for Lasik treatment (measuring optical errors)

Until recently, most refractive laser related corrections were based solely on the prescription of a patient. The prescription was entered into the laser and the treatment was calculated to re-shape the cornea appropriately.

However, nowadays there is a way of measuring the optical error of the eye in addition to the prescription using wavefront aberrometers. This allows for more detailed information to be included in the treatment plan, thus customising the treatment to suit the eyes of each patient.