ILASIK Diagnosis and Tests

Advanced mapping to check your surgical candidacy

Understand the diagnostic process for ILASIK. Learn about wavefront mapping, corneal thickness tests, and how we ensure your safety at Liv Hospital.

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Diagnosis and Tests

The Importance Of A Precise Diagnosis

The success of an ILASIK procedure depends entirely on the accuracy of the preoperative measurements. This is not a standard eye exam; it is a comprehensive technical assessment of your ocular anatomy.

At Liv Hospital, we use a series of advanced diagnostic tools to create a mathematical model of your vision. The goal is to ensure that we have a perfect understanding of your eye before the laser is even turned on. This level of detail is what allows us to achieve the high success rates associated with this technology.

Wavefront Mapping: Your Visual Fingerprint

The most critical test in this process is the Wavefront Aberrometry. This machine sends a safe beam of light into your eye and measures how it reflects back out.

Captures over 200 data points across the visual field.
Identifies microscopic flaws known as higher order aberrations.
Creates a unique 3D map that is used to program the laser.

Measures how light travels through the entire optical system, not just the surface.
This map is as unique as your DNA, ensuring that your treatment is tailored specifically to you and no one else.

Corneal Topography And Tomography

Because ILASIK reshapes the cornea, we must have a perfect map of its surface and thickness. Corneal topography uses specialized cameras to measure the curvature of the front window of your eye.

This helps identify any irregularities, such as astigmatism or a condition called keratoconus, which might affect the safety of the surgery.

Tomography goes a step further by mapping the back surface of the cornea, providing a complete 3D view of the tissue we will be treating.

Pachymetry: Measuring Corneal Thickness

Safety is our top priority, and measuring the thickness of your cornea is a vital part of that commitment. During the procedure, a small amount of tissue is removed. Pachymetry uses ultrasound or light waves to measure your corneal thickness in microns. We must ensure that even after the surgery, your cornea remains strong and stable. If your cornea is naturally too thin, your specialist will discuss alternative procedures to ensure your long term eye health is never compromised.

Pupillometry And Night Vision Analysis

We measure the size of your pupils in different lighting conditions, especially in total darkness. This is essential for preventing post operative night vision issues like glare or halos.

Ensures the laser treatment zone is wider than your dilated pupil.
Helps predict how your eyes will perform in low light environments.
Allows the surgeon to customize the optical zone for your specific needs.

By accounting for your pupil size during the diagnostic phase, we can minimize the visual disturbances that were common in older generations of laser surgery.

Slit Lamp Microscopic Exam

The surgeon will use a slit lamp to inspect the health of your eye structures under high magnification. This allows us to check the clarity of your cornea, the health of your eyelids, and the quality of your tear film. We look for any signs of previous infection, scarring, or inflammation that might interfere with the healing process. This physical inspection ensures that your eye is in an optimal state for surgery and that there are no hidden issues that could affect your recovery.

Dry Eye Evaluation

A healthy tear film is necessary for comfortable healing. We perform specific tests to measure the quantity and quality of the tears your eyes produce. If you suffer from significant dry eye, we may recommend a course of treatment to improve your tear film before moving forward with ILASIK. Ensuring that your eyes are well lubricated before the procedure helps the corneal surface heal faster and reduces the intensity of temporary dryness during the recovery period.

Retinal Health Assessment

Although ILASIK is a procedure performed on the front of the eye, we must ensure that the “sensor” at the back of the eye, the retina, is healthy. We perform a dilated retinal exam to check for any signs of thinning, tears, or other diseases. If the retina is healthy, we know that the brain will receive a clear, sharp image once the front of the eye is corrected. This comprehensive approach ensures that we are treating the whole eye, not just its surface.

Final Consultation And Data Review

Once all the tests are complete, your surgeon will sit down with you to review the data. We will explain exactly what the maps show and what kind of result you can expect. This is the time to discuss your lifestyle, your hobbies, and any questions you have about the procedure. By the end of this appointment, you will have a clear understanding of your visual health and a personalized treatment plan that is ready to be programmed into our advanced laser systems.