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LASIK Surgery Day
What to Expect on LASIK Surgery Day
LASIK is an outpatient procedure that is performed in our office. Surgery is performed in our custom-designed LASIK suite. Our entire staff will work hard to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible during your surgery day visit. The entire visit will take approximately 2 hours. Although your time in our surgical suite will only take 5-7 minutes/per eye, we will need extra time to re-measure your eyes, complete paperwork, discuss your post-surgery regimen, prepare your eyes for surgery, and rest your eyes after the procedure.
You will be given Valium, a relaxation medication, prior to the procedure.
Here is how the surgery process will go:
- You will relax in a comfortable reclining chair.
- Numbing anesthetic eye drops will be placed into your eyes.
- Several sets of eye drops will be placed in the eyes to prepare them for surgery.
- Valium will be given prior to entering the laser suite.
- A special tool will be placed into your eyes to keep your eyes open.
- Dr. Patel will create a thin flap on your cornea using a femtosecond laser. You may feel a sensation of pressure during this part.
- The flap is folded back to allow access to the underlying corneal tissue.
- An excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea by removing small amounts of corneal tissue according to your unique refractive error. This step takes usually takes about a minute to accomplish. Eye tracking technology will detect the slightest eye movement and stop the laser until the eye is in perfect position again.
- The flap is folded back into proper position where it begins to heal immediately.
- You will then rest in our post-operative suite and Dr. Patel will perform several final checks of your eyes.
- When Dr. Patel gives the ok, you will be free to have a friend/family member drive you home so you can rest.
The next morning most patients wake up to life with clear vision, although it may take a few months for your vision to completely stabilize.
After LASIK Surgery
Some patients experience temporary eye discomfort after LASIK surgery including:
- Mild pain
- Itching or burning
- Hazy vision
- Watering
- Light sensitivity
- Dry eyes
After surgery it is important to avoid rubbing your eyes while your corneal flap heals to avoid complications. Discuss any of these conditions at your post-op appointments and contact Dr. Patel if they persist. Are you ready for clear vision? If so, contact us today to schedule a free LASIK consultation.
