Before and After LASIK Surgery

Is Preparation Necessary for the Pre-surgical Exam?

Preparation is minimal but important. Your eyes must be allowed to return to their natural shape for accurate dilated measurements.

Soft lenses must be removed 2 weeks prior to your pre-surgery dilated exam. After your dilated measurements are taken, do not reinsert your lenses at all prior to your procedure.

Hard, semi-hard, rigid, and gas-permeable lens wearers will have 2 pre-surgical exams. Because hard lenses alter the shape of the eye more than soft lenses do, they must be removed 3-4 weeks before your first exam and must not be reinserted at all before your procedure. You may wear glasses or be fit with soft contacts during this period. Your second exam will be scheduled 3-4 weeks after the first. Do not reinsert your hard lenses at all prior to your procedure. If your measurements are stable at your second exam, you can expect to be dilated for complete measurements.

Dilated Exam

Your pupils will be dilated and we will take extensive eye measurements specific to your procedure. You can expect to be in our office for 1-2 hours during this exam and will need to be driven home after your appointment. Your dilation will cause light sensitivity for 1-2 days following the exam. Please don’t hesitate to call us with questions at any time.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your vision will be blurry after surgery, and you will need to be driven home. We recommend that you not return to work for 1-3 days, but some people feel ready to get started again the next day. Consider taking a few more days off if your job poses any risk to your eyes.

Visual recovery time varies by individual, and most people experience vision changes from 2 - 4 weeks after surgery. No swimming, hot tubs, or saunas are allowed for the first week. Achieving your final results can take up to 3 months. There are no post-surgical physical activity restrictions. You can play sports after LASIK, but should wear safety glasses during contact games, most definitely during the first month after the procedure.

Normal side effects occur during the post-surgery period. These can include:

• — Watery eyes, especially in the first few hours after surgery
• — Irritation or discomfort (like having an eyelash in your eye)—usually only up to a day after surgery.
• — Fluctuating vision, normally for about 3-4 weeks
• — Light sensitivity, usually only for the first few weeks
• — Halo effect, most noticeable around bright lights during nighttime, and generally diminishes over time.

Follow-up care is very important to achieving your best possible outcome. During your recovery, you will have a number of examinations scheduled in order that your healing progresses properly. The following are closely monitored:

• — The healing of the corneal flap — Near vision problems
• — Any infection or complication possibilities
• — Your eye medications
• — Your uncorrected and best corrected vision
• — Your general eye health
• — The possibility of your need for surgical enhancements

After your eyes have fully healed, your eyesight should not change except as a result of the aging process (presbyopia).

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