The Impatient Patient – Is there a waiting list for Laser Eye Surgery?
Many people will spend years considering the pros and cons of Laser Eye Surgery before deciding to go ahead with the procedure. This is usually due to common misconceptions and fears surrounding the treatment. But following hours of research, or perhaps after hearing testimonials from friends and family, you have decided that the benefits outweigh the (extremely small) risk.
Once you have made this decision, you will likely want to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. This begs the question: Is there a waiting list for Laser Eye Surgery?
Waiting for Your Initial Consultation
Until now, it may not have even occurred to you that there may be a waiting period between contacting your clinic and your initial consultation itself. However, in many cases, this is the case.
Generally, this waiting period ranges from 1 to 6 weeks. The good news is that, here at London Vision Clinic, we are often able to see patients within a few weeks of their enquiry. This, of course, varies throughout the year depending on how busy the clinic is, so the best way to find out the current waiting time is by contacting us directly.
It is also important to consider the possibility that Laser Eye Surgery might not be a suitable treatment option for you. This can be frustrating – especially if you have waited weeks to have your comprehensive consultation appointment (which takes two to three hours). But luckily, at London Vision Clinic, we can treat over 90% of the patients we see!
What’s more, while the waiting list for your initial consultation may be longer than you first expected, the wait between this appointment and your treatment is often much shorter.
In fact, in some cases, the procedure can be carried out in as little as two days after you are found to be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery. This means that the initial waiting period for your screening appointment may well be the final weeks of blurred vision and pesky glasses or contact lenses.
Planning for Your Laser Eye Surgery Journey
We always recommend that you begin to contact prospective Laser Eye Surgery clinics fairly early on – this may mean you have not firmly decided to go ahead with treatment. This will not only give you a better idea of how long the wait will be, but it will also allow you to better plan your treatment journey, should you decide to proceed.
For example, if you are travelling to London Vision Clinic from another part of the country, or even from abroad, you will be in a better position to plan your travel arrangements. Being aware of the potential waiting period will also allow you to fit your treatment more effectively around work and other commitments.
Your initial consultation at the clinic will be one of two pre-surgery appointments, with the second generally being booked for the days following. This second appointment allows you to meet your treating surgeon who will be able to talk you through your specific treatment plan. It also allows you to discuss any concerns or worries you might have with them before signing the consent papers to go ahead with surgery.
The truth is that the waiting period between initially deciding you want to have Laser Eye Surgery and walking out of the clinic on the day of your treatment can vary considerably between patients and clinics. But, if you opt to go ahead with a high-quality provider like London Vision Clinic, you can rest assured that you will be kept informed and supported every step of the way.
Our clinic coordinators are always on hand to answer any questions you might have and are always happy to help make any arrangements you may require, from helping you find a hotel to ensuring you have a ride home.
No matter how long you have to wait to have your Laser Eye Surgery treatment, it will almost certainly be worth the wait.
For more information about waiting times at London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book your Initial Consultation today.
