The First Step-
The first step to determining if you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery is a consultation. Depending on where you are in your exploration of LASIK, you may want to start by scheduling a Free Screening to determine candidacy or proceed to the Full Dilated Exam to prepare for surgery.
You can reach our Patient Care Team at 866 DR LASIK or 573.271.2178. If you prefer email communication, you may complete the Schedule A Consultation form. Just be sure to let us know which initial visit you would like, your method of vision correction, and what days/times work with your schedule. Our patient care team will contact you and guide you along the next step in your LASIK journey.
Consult Request
The First Step-
The first step to determining if you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery is a consultation. Depending on where you are in your exploration of LASIK, you may want to start by scheduling a Free Screening to determine candidacy or proceed to the Full Dilated Exam to prepare for surgery.
You can reach our Patient Care Team at 866 DR LASIK or 573.271.2178. If you prefer email communication, you may complete the Schedule A Consultation form. Just be sure to let us know which initial visit you would like, your method of vision correction, and what days/times work with your schedule. Our patient care team will contact you and guide you along the next step in your LASIK journey.
Free Screening
Am I a Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?
At this exam, a LASIK technician measures your prescription (refraction) and corneal thickness (pachymetry). Dr. Parker conducts a slit lamp exam to check the overall health of your eyes and describes the steps of the LASIK procedure. You also meet with Katie or Kim, our LASIK Patient Care Team, to answer scheduling or financing questions. This exam typically takes about an hour and you would not need to discontinue contacts prior to this visit. The purpose of the screening exam is to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery.
Free Screening Availability
We schedule free screening exams in Cape Girardeau, and Marion.
Free screenings are scheduled during Dr. Parker’s clinic days. He *typically* has clinic in Cape Girardeau on Mondays, every other Wednesday, every other Thursday, and on non-LASIK surgery Fridays. Appointments in Cape Girardeau are made between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm. Dr. Parker sees patients most every Tuesday morning between 8:30 am and 11:15 am in Marion.
Full Dilated Exam
Obtaining Your Measurements for LASIK Eye Surgery
If your regular eye doctor has already qualified you as a candidate for LASIK eye surgery and you are ready to move forward with the procedure, you may choose to combine your free screening and pre-operative exam. At this exam, measurements and scans are taken to create your customized treatment plan for surgery. Since your eyes will be dilated, we recommend a driver. You will also meet with Kim or Katie to discuss your pre- and post-operative care and payment options. For this exam, you will need to discontinue contacts at least two weeks prior to this visit dependent upon the type of lenses you wear (see details below).
Full Dilated Availability
Due to the intricate equipment used to capture measurements for surgery, Dr. Parker only conducts this exam in our Cape Girardeau office. The purpose of the full dilated exam is to prepare for surgery and is typically scheduled in close proximity to the surgery date, even as soon as the day before.
Discontinuing Contacts
Glasses are Purrrrfectly Annoying!
It’s not to be mean, we promise! When giving up your contacts it is helpful to know the “why”. Contacts actually change the shape of your cornea. In order to obtain the most accurate measurement possible for your LASIK eye surgery, your cornea needs time to relax back to it’s most natural shape.
If you are in soft contacts, discontinue them two weeks prior to your Full Dilated Exam; toric lenses for astigmatism, three weeks; gas-permeable or hard lenses, a minimum of four weeks, depending on how long you have worn these lenses.
Scheduling Factors to Consider:
Whether you start with a Free Screening exam or a Full Dilated Pre-Op exam, there are a few factors to consider when planning your surgery date:
- Although you are only in our office for about one hour the day of surgery, you should plan to have the entire day to rest and relax. You will need a driver the day of surgery.
- Surgery days are typically on Fridays followed by a quick but very important 1-day post-operative exam. You will need a driver for this visit. After your exam, Dr. Parker will release you to drive and enjoy your new vision.
- You will be able to return to most daily activities the day after surgery. However, Dr. Parker wants you to refrain from swimming, horseback riding, or using a tanning bed for two weeks. Ladies need to not wear eye makeup for one week.
- You have the option of conducting your post-operative care with your regular eye doctor or Dr. Parker. There are six post-operative exams over the next year: 1-day, 1-week, 1-month, 3-months, 6-months, and 1-year.
Dr. Parker’s Tentative Surgery Schedule
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