Before, During and After LASIK

It’s the day of your LASIK surgery. You’ve already met with your eye doctor. It’s been determined that you’re an ideal candidate for LASIK surgery. You’re over 18, your eye development has stabilized, and you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts. So you’re undergoing LASIK. But what, exactly, does that mean?

First, you’ll want to show up right when the doctor tells you to, because there’s important preparatory work to be done. You’ll go to the laser center. Your doctor may have a laser in his office, or the laser may be somewhere else, such as at a medical center. Regardless, you’ll need someone with you to drive you home, and you both should plan to spend about two hours in the doctor’s office.

When you first arrive, you’ll undergo a personal examination. This is also your last chance to ask any questions (although, if you have a qualified doctor, by this point you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect). Eye drops will then be administered. If you choose to, this is when you can take a mild sedative. (In some cases, doctors will prescribe a sedative, especially for patients who are overly anxious about the procedure.)

It depends on the specific type of laser that is used, but, in simplest terms, a three-dimensional model of your eye is taken. This model is input into the laser. The laser is more or less completely computer controlled. While your doctor does operate the laser, the laser also uses the 3-d model of your eye to insure accuracy. This virtually eliminates human error, and even accounts for any inadvertent movements on your part.

Throughout all this, you’ll be staring at a red dot. There is no pain. Most patients report a minor cooling sensation, or no sensation at all. While it’s important to keep your eye as still as possible, because the computer-guidance system can account for minor movement, one small “slip” on your part will not damage the procedure. The surgery itself takes only a few minutes per eye – it’s so quick most patients don’t have time to worry.

After, drops will be placed in your eyes. You may be given a prescription (for eye drops, or other medication – it depends on your situation). An eye shield will be placed over your eye, which you’ll wear for the first 24 hours. Then your friend will drive you home.

For the next week or so, you may experience a few mild after-effects. The most common are blurred vision, dry eyes or excessively teary eyes. You’ll also wear the eye shield, at night, for about two weeks (or more or less, depending on your doctor’s orders).

You’ll go back to your doctor a few times, so he or she can check on your progress as you heal. For most patients, the recovery process is quick and easy. And the end result of LASIK surgery? Clear vision, with no more glasses and contacts.

Most patients have at least 20/20 vision – and for some patients it’s even better.
Click here for more information on the LASIK procedure.