First Consultation - ICL Part 2

After you make an appointment, here's what to expect on your first visit to Dr. Natasha Lim Eye Centre. 

Address: 
101 Irrawaddy Rd, #19-01/02/03/07, Royal Square Medical Suites, Royal Square @ Novena, 329565

Nearest MRT: Novena (Exit B Escalator Towards Velocity, entrance to Royal Square is near Toast Box/KFC)

View from level 19 lift lobby.

Tiny Tip: There are a few lifts but there are SO MANY people using them. Expect to stop on almost every floor, especially during peak hours like the morning~ Plan your time well! I get antsy about being late because medical appointments in general tend to draaaaag out if you're late and miss your slot.

*From previous experience of eye checks, I stopped wearing contact lens for 1-2 days and arrived at the clinic in glasses.* (I've been told that lens tend to 'compress' our eyes?)

I registered at 9:25am for a 9:30 appointment. 

The clinic is pretty busy, with patients of all ages (older patients getting cataract surgeries, the odd teen getting glasses, and people like me getting the eyes checked for eligibility.) Expect some waiting time if the clinic is busy, even though there are already quite a few staff members in white lab coats to assist you.

Before the tests start, expect several eye drops for dilation and etc. (the numbing one in particular STUNG! )

While waiting...

I was given a paper bag of of pamphlets and brochures of various eye procedures like Silk, Lasik and also about the clinic and doctor. You can also watch the TV where more explanatory videos about eye procedures are playing on loop. 

A coffee machine and some light snacks are also available! The toilet is outside the clinic, just a couple of paces away.

Some people brought laptops to work on, but personally I found that after the dilation eyedrops, trying to read or etc isn't very great. 

Time for the eye check!

There's a room where all the machines sit. 

You get:

• an eye degree test (the one with the iconic little red house!)
• an eye pressure test where the machine shoots out a puff of air into your eyes. Open wide...
• a manual eye chart test to ascertain information about your eyes. 
• (can't remember what else I did/ do not have the words to properly explain it)

*Don't drive as the dilation eye drop will affect your vision for a couple of hours*

Eye results and Decisions

After which, the doctor will see you and advise you. First impression of Dr Natasha is that she is very busy~. She's patient in answering any questions you have and during eye checks/surgery she speaks with a firm voice. (I find that reassuring lol) Please clear your doubts and highlight any issues you have.

I told her I had high astigmatism as well and I think she asked me if I rubbed my eyes. (Very guilty of this)

She then advised that if my eyes were itchy I should use a cotton bud and gently work on the areas AROUND the eye.

Turns out the power of my current glasses were much lower than my actual eye degrees D:

Well.. that really cemented my decision as my eyesight worsened from 11.75 to 13.75 despite my age D: All that Genshin in the Covid-19 years were terrible. I apparently only have 6/12 vision.

The only good news were despite my high degrees (and astigmatism), was that I had healthy retinas and no lazy eyes. Thanks.

A staff will then follow up with estimated costs before you make a decision.

I told the staff that I wanted to take some time to consider and stepped outside to clear my head. (~11.05am)

I called my husband and family before going back up to proceed with the cornea scan for ICL.  It's a big surgery to me, after all! Felt really exhilarated by this huge decision! 

Cornea Scan

Did more waiting till 12pm, before being referred to a measurement room for the Cornea Scan. I had to put on a surgical gown and feet covers, as well as put my hair into a cap and tape it down. Was kind of taken aback as I expected more machine checks.

Waited for a pretty long time but Doctor then rushed in and apologised.  I think she probably had a surgery in between? Anyway, she put some eyelid things (possibly an eye speculum) to keep my eyes open. That hurt a little and started to scare me.  She told me to be brave and stare at the light. She also told me not to move but I flinched hard anyway because I was not used to anything/anybody touching my eye. 

Finally when that was over, I went to foot the bill of $323.70 for the day.

Went home with some bagels and coffee from Two Men Bagel House (just downstairs, near the taxi stand)! If you are a new member you can also enjoy a free coffee. Ever since my Aussie trip, I really enjoy St. Ali beans!

And that was my first consultation for my ICL surgery! Overall you might need to clear your schedule a bit because your appointment might drag out.

Updated Tip! (Thanks J!) : You can get MC for doctor's consultation. 

Love,

Skye

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Disclaimer:

I'm not affiliated to the clinic, and this is not a sponsored post. Just sharing my experience and two cents.

I'm also not a medical professional so questions of that nature should be directed to your doctor instead :) 

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Read the whole ICL series:

1. Why I Got Eye Surgery

2. First Consultation 

3. The Actual Surgery

4. After Surgery