Refractive Surgery Consultation and Assessment in Bundoora
Pre-operative workup and post-operative care for LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange at Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora.
If you are considering laser refractive surgery or refractive lens exchange to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, Northern Eye Consultants in Bundoora provides comprehensive pre-operative assessment and post-operative care for refractive surgery patients across Melbourne's northern suburbs. You do not need to travel to the CBD for your consultation, workup, or follow-up visits.
What refractive surgery options are available?
Northern Eye Consultants assesses patients for two main categories of refractive surgery.
Laser refractive surgery, including LASIK and PRK, reshapes the cornea using a laser to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. These procedures are performed at a partnered laser facility. Your pre-operative assessment, including corneal topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, and biometry, is conducted at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora. Post-operative reviews are also conducted at Northpark, meaning your ongoing care remains local throughout your recovery.
Refractive lens exchange (RLE) replaces the eye's natural lens with a premium intraocular lens to correct refractive error and eliminate the future risk of developing a cataract. RLE is performed at Northpark Private Hospital and is an established alternative to laser refractive surgery for patients who are not suitable LASIK or PRK candidates, or who prefer a permanent solution that also addresses presbyopia. The procedure uses the same technique as cataract surgery at Northern Eye Consultants and is suitable for patients typically aged 45 and over with significant refractive error.
What does the pre-operative assessment involve?
A refractive surgery consultation at Northern Eye Consultants includes a comprehensive assessment of your eyes to determine which procedure, if any, is appropriate for you. The assessment includes measurement of your refractive error, corneal topography to assess corneal shape and thickness, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, assessment of your tear film and ocular surface, measurement of your pupil size, and a full examination of the anterior and posterior segment of your eye.
Contact lens wearers should cease wearing soft contact lenses for at least one week before their assessment, and rigid gas permeable lenses for at least three weeks, to allow the cornea to return to its natural shape before measurements are taken.
The assessment takes approximately 90 minutes. Your pupils will be dilated, so you will need someone to drive you home.
Who performs refractive surgery consultations at Northern Eye Consultants?
Refractive surgery consultations at Northern Eye Consultants are performed by Dr Ross MacIntyre, who has subspecialty fellowship training in cornea, complex cataract, and refractive surgery from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He has performed over 7,000 cataract and lens procedures and is experienced in LASIK, PRK, and refractive lens exchange. Refractive lens exchange is performed by Dr MacIntyre at Northpark Private Hospital. For information on the full range of surgical services provided by our subspecialist surgical team, see the Northern Eye Consultants cataract and refractive surgery page.
Where is the laser procedure performed?
Laser refractive procedures including LASIK and PRK are performed at a partnered laser facility. Your surgeon will discuss the location and logistics of the laser procedure at your consultation. All pre-operative and post-operative visits are conducted at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora, so your ongoing care remains local regardless of where the laser procedure itself takes place.
Is refractive surgery right for me?
Not every patient is a suitable candidate for laser refractive surgery or refractive lens exchange. Suitability depends on your refractive error, corneal thickness and shape, age, ocular health, and lifestyle priorities. The pre-operative assessment determines whether you are a candidate and which procedure best suits your individual circumstances.
Patients who are not suitable for LASIK due to thin or irregular corneas, high refractive errors, or significant presbyopia may be suitable candidates for refractive lens exchange instead. Your surgeon will discuss all available options at your consultation and give you a clear recommendation based on your assessment findings.
How do I book a refractive surgery consultation?
A referral from your GP or optometrist is recommended but not always required for a refractive surgery consultation. Contact Northern Eye Consultants to discuss your situation and arrange an appointment. We see patients from across Melbourne's northern suburbs including Bundoora, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Eltham, Diamond Creek, Greensborough, Epping, Mill Park, South Morang, Whittlesea, and surrounding areas.
For information on how Medicare rebates and consultation costs apply, see our costs and Medicare information page, which covers the full range of surgical and consultation fees at Northern Eye Consultants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my refractive surgery workup done in Bundoora?
Yes. Northern Eye Consultants at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora provides comprehensive pre-operative assessment for laser refractive surgery and refractive lens exchange, including corneal topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, and biometry. Post-operative reviews are also conducted at Northpark.
Where is the laser procedure performed?
Laser refractive procedures including LASIK and PRK are performed at a partnered laser facility. All pre-operative and post-operative visits are conducted at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora.
What is the difference between LASIK and refractive lens exchange?
LASIK reshapes the cornea with a laser and does not involve removing the natural lens. Refractive lens exchange removes the natural lens and replaces it with a premium intraocular lens to correct refractive error, eliminating the future risk of cataracts. RLE is typically preferred for patients over 45, those with significant presbyopia, or those whose corneas are not suitable for laser treatment.
Do I need a referral for a refractive surgery consultation?
A referral from your GP or optometrist is recommended and allows Medicare rebates to apply to your consultation. Contact our rooms to discuss your specific situation.
Contact Northern Eye Consultants
Phone: (03) 9466 8822
Fax: (03) 9466 8833
Email: desk@northeye.com.au
Address: Suite 5, Northpark Private Hospital, 135 Plenty Road, Bundoora VIC 3083
Book a Refractive Surgery Consultation
Northern Eye Consultants operates from Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora. Contact us to arrange a consultation with Dr Ross MacIntyre.