Pre-surgical instructions:

• There are no restrictions on eating or drinking before your procedure. Please do not consume alcoholic beverages on the day of surgery.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the removal of your contact lenses prior to your procedure date.
• If you would like family or friends to watch your procedure, they may do so from our observation area.
• The total time spent in the laser facility will be about 1.5 to 2 hours.


What to expect the day of your procedure:

• After you check in at the front desk, you will be escorted into a pre-op room where a staff member will explain what to expect during and after your procedure.
• You will be offered a mild sedative to help you relax. Please let the staff and the surgeon know if you have allergies to any medications. Be certain to have all questions answered before accepting any pre-operative sedation.
• You will not be asked to change or remove your clothing, however, you may be asked to remove large earrings, ponytails, or hooded sweatshirts.
• A scrub will be performed to cleanse your lids and eye area. Please do not wear any make-up to the surgery center.
• Several eye drops will be used to prepare your eye for the procedure. It is very rare to react adversely to any of these drops, but please tell us if you have ever had a reaction to any eye medications in the past.
• Your cooperation during the procedure is essential. If you are excessively sedated, it will be more difficult for you to focus on the target light. You must be alert and respond to instructions.



When you enter the laser suite:

• An assistant will help you in to a chair that will slowly recline until you are flat on your back.
• Anesthetic eye drops will be administered and the eye not being treated will be covered with a shield.
• After you are positioned under the laser, you will see a blinking red target light in the center of a white ring. You will need to focus on this red light throughout the procedure. The surgeon will keep your eye centered if you move slightly, but it is important to remain as still as possible.
• An instrument will be placed around the eyelids that will prevent you from blinking.
• The surgeon will make temporary marks on the surface of the eye that are used when repositioning the flap.
• Next, a ring will be placed on the eye to stabilize it. You will hear the sound of the vacuum as the ring is secured and your vision will temporarily fade away. Do not be alarmed; the surgeon has complete control of your eye and your vision will return in just a few moments.
• You will hear the sound of the microkeratome as the surgeon creates the corneal flap. After just a few seconds, the microkeratome will be removed and the suction on the eye reduced. At this point, your vision will begin to return.
• The surgeon will gently fold back the corneal flap. You will hear the sound of the laser as it prepares to treat the eye and you will be instructed to stare at the blinking red light or in the center of the white ring.
• The laser will make a clicking or snapping sound as it painlessly reshapes the cornea. The excimer laser can be stopped and started precisely within a fraction of a second. If your eye moves, the laser will be stopped. Fixation will then be re-established and the procedure completed.
• You may become aware of an unpleasant odor during your treatment, this is the smell of a vapor created by the laser. A vacuum tube will be placed near your eye to minimize the scent.
• After the laser treatment is complete, the surgeon will carefully reposition the flap.
• After the corneal flap has settled into position, the surgeon will remove the instrument retaining your eyelids and post-operative drops will be administered.
• You will be helped out of the chair and escorted into a post-op room where the surgeon will recheck your eyes before you leave the center.
• Before you leave, your post-operative instructions will be reviewed and protective eye shields will be placed over your eyes.


Common symptoms you may experience:

• About 30 to 90 minutes following your procedure, you may experience some discomfort as the anesthetic drops begin to wear off. Please take the medication provided or an over the counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort.
• Other temporary symptoms may include: burning, light sensitivity, watery eyes, runny nose, gritty, foreign body sensation like something is in the eye, irritation, and eye redness. Frequent use of lubricating drops will help with these minor irritations.

Activities:

• Keep the eyes closed as much as possible the day of your procedure. This will speed the healing of the ocular surface and restore your vision faster.
• Watching television and reading is permitted the day after surgery.
• Do not drive until you have been authorized to do so by your doctor.
• No swimming, hot tubs, or whirlpools for two weeks.
• Do not scuba dive for one month.
• Showers and baths are fine, but keep your eyes closed to avoid getting water or shampoo in them for one week. Do not wear eye makeup for one week.
• Avoid a dusty/dirty environment for one week. It is preferable that you do not smoke, since it will irritate the eyes.
• It is best to wait for at least 1 to 3 days before returning to work to allow your ocular surface tissue to heal adequately.
• You may return to your normal exercise routine after three days and once you feel comfortable. However, do not return to high-impact sports, such as boxing, until authorized by your doctor. Always wear protective eyewear.
• If you must travel by plane soon after surgery, use extra lubricating drops for moisture.

Your recovery:

• Your vision will be blurry for 24 hours following your procedure. Your vision may be blurry longer depending on the amount of laser treatment done. This is normal.
• If you choose to have only one eye treated at a time, you may feel a little off-balance after your first eye is treated. Your depth perception may be a little off as well. Be careful performing such tasks as pouring hot coffee, hammering a nail, or driving.
• It is important to remember that your distance vision will clear first and your reading vision last, unless you are over the age of 40. In patients over 40, reading glasses may be needed to read small print unless correction for monovision was performed.
• Night glare is also more apparent during the first couple weeks of your recovery. Star bursting and halos around lights usually occur in patients with more severe degrees of myopia and large pupils. Night glare usually resolves or returns to the pre-procedural level once both eyes have healed.
• Infection is a possibility, although the risk is minimal if post-operative medications are taken and instructions followed. Symptoms of infection may include: increased eye pain, redness, blurred vision and discharge. Do not hesitate to contact us if you feel your eye is not healing correctly.

Follow up care after your procedure:
 

Important Points:

• To avoid contamination of the eye drops, do not touch the tip of the bottle to the eye.
• Use drops at breakfast, lunch, and bedtime. Wait 5 to 10 minutes between different types of drops.
• Do not stop or change the frequency of any medication unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor. Failure to follow directions may influence the outcome of your surgery. Misuse may result in damage to the cornea or a change in your refractive condition.