The Benefits of Co-Management for LASIK PatientsBrowse Eyewear

While most people need lenses to correct their eyesight, others require eye surgery to achieve optimum vision. Refractive surgery can help you enjoy good vision without wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. But as with any form of surgery, deciding to get LASIK can be overwhelming. Working with the surgeon and your eye doctor can make the process less daunting. 

LASIK Co-Management 

Co-management is a process where two doctors work as a team to ensure the patient receives the best care. LASIK surgery usually involves an eye surgeon and your eye doctor working together to ensure you get the desired results. 

Your eye doctor will conduct an eye exam and offer any information you require to decide. If you decide to get the surgery, your doctor will refer you to a LASIK surgeon. The doctor will also provide postoperative care.

Evaluation Before LASIK

Eye doctors must evaluate the patient’s suitability for LASIK through the following:
 

• A health assessment to check for systemic diseases that can affect recovery

• Corneal health examination to check for thin or irregular corneas, corneal disease, or dry eye syndrome

• Retinal health analysis to check for ocular conditions that can make it hard to achieve 20/20 vision

• Vision stability evaluation to check for eyeglass prescriptions

Sometimes, the patient’s occupation or lifestyle can make them ineligible for refractive surgery. If you are a good candidate for LASIK, the eye doctor will refer you to a surgeon. 

Preoperative Evaluation 

Before the procedure, the surgeon will conduct a preoperative evaluation. It involves an examination of vision and eye health. The surgeon will analyze 3D maps of the patient’s cornea. The detailed exam will allow the surgeon to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the procedure. The surgeon can establish what the best vision outcomes may be after LASIK.

Benefits of LASIK Co-Management 

When an eye doctor and a surgeon comanage, the patient benefits. It provides a central hub for coordinating the patient’s care. The eye doctor will refer the patient to a professional partner surgeon. 

The established setup makes it easy for the two to communicate and work together to develop the best treatment plan. They discuss the patient’s eye health history and other factors to determine the best procedure. They also come up with the best post-surgery recovery plan.  

Postoperative Care After LASIK 

The same eye doctor who provided the preoperative care will perform the postoperative care. LASIK postsurgical care involves the development of a recovery plan and follow-up appointments with the surgeon. 

The patient will receive instructions and specific guidelines based on their eye condition. Each patient’s post-op plan is unique. The patient must visit the eye doctor within 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. It allows the doctor to monitor their healing and vision. 

The doctor can determine if there should be changes to the recovery plan. LASIK is a relatively straightforward procedure. Cooperation between the eye doctor and the surgeon helps ensure the patient achieves optimal vision. 

For more on the benefits of co-management for LASIK patients, visit Canterbury Vision Care at our office in West Boylston, Massachusetts. Call (508) 500-1562 to book an appointment today.