LASIK Preparation for Surgery and Post Surgery
Before LASIK surgery your doctor will perform
measurement tests to determine the shape of your eye and your
pupil size. The doctor will analyze the results and review them
to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. It is
up to you to make the final decision however.
If you are through the planning and decision phase, now is the
time to consider your options. You want to look at your financial
options to make arrangements for LASIK surgery. Your Coordinator
will help you learn and explore your payment plans to help you
find affordable plans that work for you. Many LASIK clinics offer
“no-money down” offers and payment plans. Ask your
Coordinator about the different types of payment plans. Your employee
insurance may provide you with Flex Plans, which gives you the
option to pay for your surgery through the “pretax”
or “payroll” deductions. You can find out if you’re
eligible by speaking with your employer, reading your health plan,
or asking the Coordinator to assist you.
Surgery Arrangements
To prepare for LASIK, you may want to set a date that does not
interrupt your work life, or families’ life. A qualified,
license driver should drive you to your surgery appointment. Talk
with your family or friends to find out what is the best time
for them to drive you to LASIK surgery. The driver will need to
wait 20-30 minutes until after your surgery to drive you back
home. Let your driver know that he or she should expect to spend
a couple of hours with you.
Make sure that you wear comfortable clothes to the appointment.
Bring a jacket with you to keep warm. Surgery rooms tend to be
a little chilly. In addition, do not bring personal belongings
or no more than you have to since on surgery day, you will be
visiting a few different rooms.
The Final Day of Surgery
Now that you have learned and prepared for LASIK, it is time to
go through the procedure. The clinic’s staff will help prepare
you for the event. The crew will work hard to make you feel at
ease. A consent form must be signed before you go to surgery.
The consent comprises of documentations that verify that you had
the opportunity to ask questions, got answers, and learned about
the benefits and risks of LASIK. It should also contain verification
that you were warned of the potential risks, and have discussed
all of the LASIK details with your consultant. The doctor should
have informed you about your options, and helped you with making
your final decision, as well as determined if you are a good candidate
for LASIK surgery. If you have any questions, ask them before
you sign the consent.
Once you sign the consent one of the surgeon’s staff workers
will prepare you and put several eye drops in your eyes, which
may feel uncomfortable. The medicine may cause numbness. Some
medications that surgeon’s give are designed to help prevent
infections. The medicine may also be used to dilate the pupils
and prepare them for surgery. Following the eye drops you will
take a sedative to help you relax. Once the pill starts to work,
the staff will take you into a laser room where several people
may be working to prepare the surgeon.
You will be seated in a recliner and asked to
recline in order to prepare for LASIK, more eye drops maybe giving
to numb your eyes, preparing them for surgery. Once the staff
and surgeon cleans the areas around your eyes with surgical sterile
pads and liquid, the doctor will then use a soft “retaining
device,” placing it around the edges of the eyelids in order
to help you avoid blinking.
At most you will feel some pressure, but nothing to worry about.
The doctor will use several instruments during this time to prepare
you for LASIK. You may experience blurred vision, this is common
however. The room may go dark, making it difficult for you to
see, but this is common also. The doctor at this time is probably
cutting the flap at the corneal. Any person whether they are sedated
or not will close their eyes, especially if some strange object
touches the area.
Throughout the process laser sounds will blend in the backdrop
and can be a little noisy. Do not feel alarmed.
Once the doctor cuts the flap, creating it to reshape your cornea,
you will be instructed to look into a fixed light situated on
the laser. It may seem blurry, but this is common also. The laser
is aligned so that it meets your eyes in order for the doctor
to track any eye movement while the energy of the laser is set
into position to determine the alignment in order to reform the
cornea of the eye. It depends on your prescription, but most times
it takes a few minutes to complete. Noises will be heard throughout
the process, so don’t feel alarmed. Once the surgeon places
the laser in its position, he will then replace your cornea flap
and then apply some solution to the eye, which may feel cool.
The purpose is to irrigate the eye’s surface. Stitches are
not needed as the flap and cornea do not stick together. The two
components of the eyes are like Velcro Pads. The doctor will proceed
to do the same thing on the other eye. Most doctors will talk
to you through the procedures to help you stay calm. The goal
is to help you remain calm. Do not feel impulsive to communicate
with them, as you are not obligated.
After surgery is completed, the doctor will ensure that your flaps
are properly sealed and positioned to ensure that your healing
process moves along smoothly. The doctor will then send you to
a quite, recovery room where you will sit until the staff releases
you. During this time the staff will go over your healing procedures
to make sure you understand the instructions and nothing was missed.
You will be instructed to use eye drops for a few days after your
surgery.
Leaving LASIK Surgery
Once you have completed surgery and left the office, you must
used the clear protective shields giving to you by the doctor
to protect your eyes. Make sure you wear the shields until you
have thoroughly healed and re covered from surgery.
Artificial tears are prescribed or given to you before you leave
surgery to help you avoid or cope with dry eye. Not everyone experiences
dry eye after LASIK, but it is important that you use the drops
anyway. Use the drops even if your eyes feel moist.
The doctor may prescribe pills to help you relax and sleep. Take
them as prescribed and rest when you arrive at home. You can heal
faster by keeping your eyes closed for a few hours after the surgery.
Your flap will seal properly if you follow instructions closely.
After you have slept for a while after surgery, avoid strenuous
activities. Only participate in relaxing activities instead. Relax
and follow the instructions provided to you for the most part.
You will also need to avoid showers, pools, or similar activities
that put you at risk of getting water in the eyes. Avoid using
lotions, creams, and other products until you have completely
healed.
Now comes your post-operative care
The healing process will go along smoothly if you follow instructions.
The first few hours are the most crucial part of the healing process.
Your eyes should stay lubricated at all times. Use the artificial
tear drops giving to you by your doctor. Be sure to follow all
aftercare or post-operative care instructions to the letter. You
can return to your daily, normal arrangements sooner by adhering
and following the instructions. Do not participate in strenuous
water sports or activities for a short while after your surgery
to avoid injuries and infections.
Ensure that you follow up with your doctor as prescribed. This
is the most crucial point of your post-operative care. After LASIK
most patients must follow up with their doctor the next day after
surgery.
You will need to return in a week, or month for other follow up
visits. It depends on your doctor how many visits you will need
to follow up on your eye care. For the most part, you should notice
some great changes in your vision after your surgery. Some patient’s
have experienced reverse reactions after surgery however. If you
notice any changes that seem peculiar, consult with your doctor
immediately to avoid further complications. Use common sense to
determine if you need to revisit your doctor and don’t take
anything for granted.
