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LASIK
Eye Surgery Information to help the
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Next, a delicate retaining device is placed around the edges of your
eyelid to remind you not to blink during your procedure. Do not be
concerned as this device will be gentle but firm enough to help
prevent you from blinking. You will feel some light pressure around
your eyes as various instruments are moved in and out of use by the
surgeon. It is completely normal and expected that your vision will
be blurry and at one point will actually go dark during the creation
of the flap if you are having LASIK. You may hear various sounds of
the instruments going on and off, however it is generally less noisy
than a visit to the dentist.
Once the flap is created, the surgeon will instruct you to look at a
small fixation light on the laser. You should expect this light to
be blurry. This is normal. The laser is actually going to be aligned
with your eye and will be tracking your eye movement as it delivers
the laser energy to reshape your cornea. The entire laser process
will take less than a couple of minutes depending on your
prescription. Again you will hear some ticking or clicking noises as
the laser is applied. This is normal. After the laser has been
applied the surgeon will replace the flap and use some cool solution
to irrigate the surface of your eye. Since the cornea and the flap
interact like a Velcro pad and tend to stick to each other, no
stitches will need to be placed. This entire procedure is then
repeated for the second eye. It is likely that the surgeon or staff
will be talking to you the entire time. They will reassure you that
everything is progressing as planned. They do not expect or want you
to converse with them. Your job is to relax and stay still.
Before leaving the laser suite it will be necessary to check and
make sure that the flaps are in the right position and are sealed so
that they can begin to heal. Once this is completed you will sit in
a comfortable recovery area for a short while before you are
dismissed. While you are waiting, your instructions for how to use
the various drops you will be supplied will be reviewed with you.
After You Leave Your LASIK Surgery Day
You will have clear protective shields placed to protect your eyes
from being bumped or rubbed--these should not be removed until your
doctor tells you that it is okay, which will usually be the next
morning. You will be given artificial tears to lubricate your eyes
with. Even if your eyes do not feel dry, you should use them as they
help the healing process. You may be given some sleeping pills and
some pills in case there is any discomfort. The best thing you can
do when you arrive home is to take a long nap. By keeping your eyes
closed for the immediate 4-6 hours after your surgery, you will
actually help the healing process as the position of the eyelids
acts to further seal the flap. Again, use the artificial tears as
often as possible even if your eyes do not feel dry, gritty or
irritated. When you awaken from your nap you can participate in any
non-strenuous activity. You will need to relax and follow your
surgeon's instructions regarding showering and avoiding getting
water directly in your eyes for some period of time.
Post Operative Care
Immediately after your LASIK procedure the first few hours are the
most important for healing. Remember to keep your eyes well
lubricated with artificial tears even if they do not feel dry.
Follow the instructions you were given carefully and completely. In
most cases, within a day or two you will be able to return to your
normal routine, with the exception of participating in very
strenuous activities and avoiding splashing water directly in your
eyes.
Your follow-up visits are an important part of your care. Most LASIK
surgeons like their patients to return for follow-up at 1 day, 1
week, and sometimes 1 month, 3 months and then at either 6 months or
12 months after their procedure. The exact schedule and number of
visits can vary from patient to patient depending on their
particular healing pattern. Do not be concerned if you are asked to
return on a different schedule than someone that you know. You
should expect to see a dramatic improvement in your distance vision
the very first day after your LASIK procedure. However this is not
an indication of how well you will ultimately see when your eyes
have healed completely. In general by about three months after your
procedure you will have a pretty good sense of how your vision will
be. Do not spend time comparing the vision in one eye against the
other. Your eyes heal at different rates and you do not normally
walk around closing one eye-so why do it after LASIK?
We hope you found this information useful and helpful in making your
LASIK experience a smooth and fulfilling one.
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Initial Patient Education
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Before Your Evaluation and Consultation ;
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At Your Consultation ;
Your LASIK Decision Process ;
Arranging Your LASIK Surgery Day ;
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