Thinking about getting LASIK in Japan, but not sure what happens during the consultation?
Let me walk you through my experience at Shinagawa Clinic in Osaka, so you know exactly what to expect.

Booking the Consultation

I booked my consultation through Shinagawa’s Clinic online form. However, just submitting the form wasn’t enough. They called me afterwards to confirm the appointment over the phone.
If you’re planning to book, make sure you’re reachable by phone!

At Shinagawa Clinic, the consultation was completely free.
However, some other clinics in Japan might charge a consultation fee, so it’s best to check their websites before booking.

Arrival at the Clinic

I arrived around 9:40 AM (the clinic opens at 10:00 AM), and there were already quite a few people waiting.
The clinic environment was clean, organized, but also pretty busy — definitely a popular place!

Regarding language support, during my visit to the Osaka branch, I didn’t encounter any English-speaking staff.
Having a basic understanding of Japanese would certainly be beneficial if you don’t speak the language.
At the Shinagawa branch in Tokyo, English support is likely available, but it’s always a good idea to verify this with the clinic in advance.

Eye Tests During the Consultation

The consultation involved several detailed eye tests to check if I was a good candidate for LASIK, including:

• Vision test (checking nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism)
• Corneal thickness measurement
• Eye pressure test (this one surprised me — a puff of air is blown into your eye!)
• Dry eye test

There were probably even more tests, but those were the ones I clearly remember.
During some of the tests, they also put eye drops into my eyes.

Overall, the tests were straightforward, but the air-puff pressure test caught me off guard a bit!

Meeting the Doctor

After the tests, I had a one-on-one consultation with the doctor.
This happens after you decide to proceed with the surgery.

The doctor went through my test results carefully, explained the available surgery options, and answered any questions I had.
They told me my corneal thickness was good and that I was cleared to have the LASIK surgery.

It was reassuring to have a personal consultation where I could ask everything I wanted to know.

How Long Does the Consultation Take?

The whole consultation process took around three hours.
Since Shinagawa is a very popular clinic, expect to spend a good part of your day there, especially if you plan to do their “One-Day LASIK Program” where the consultation and surgery happen on the same day.

Important Preparation Tips

If you’re planning to have the consultation (and especially if you’re aiming for one-day surgery), here’s my advice based on my experience:

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before.
• Eat a solid breakfast — you’ll be at the clinic for a few hours.
• Wear comfortable clothes — you’ll be doing a lot of sitting and moving between test rooms.
• Bring sunglasses — if they use dilating drops, your eyes might become sensitive to light after the tests.

Also, stop wearing contact lenses for a certain time before the consultation.
Here’s the general guideline:

• Soft lenses: Stop wearing them at least 1 week before.
• Hard lenses (rigid gas permeable): Stop wearing them at least 2–4 weeks before. This is important because contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea, affecting the test results.

If you wear contacts, make sure you switch to glasses ahead of time!

Final Thoughts

The consultation process in Japan, especially at Shinagawa Clinic, is extremely thorough and professional.
Although it takes a few hours and can feel busy, it’s comforting to know that they check your eyes carefully to ensure your safety and the success of your LASIK surgery.

If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to ask me by email! I’m happy to share more tips to help you prepare.