Preparing for Laser Surgery

• Contact lenses must be removed prior to surgery.

  • Remove soft contact lenses one week prior to surgery.

  • Remove toric soft lenses one month prior to surgery.

  • Remove hard or gas permeable lenses at least four weeks plus one week for every decade of wear before your surgery. Check with your eye doctor as to whether soft contact lenses would work for you during this time.

• There are no restrictions on eating or drinking prior to surgery.

• Wear comfortable clothes.

• Do not wear eye makeup, perfume, scented products, hair spray or earrings. These things may cause laser malfunction.

• Do not take any antihistamines at least one day prior to your surgery, and check with your personal eye care provider about any other medications you may be taking.

• Be sure to schedule your follow up visits before surgery. You will need to see your eye doctor one day after your surgery, and again, three to four days later.

• Please arrive on time for your scheduled surgery. Our staff will review the consent form with you, and ensure all of your paperwork is completed. You'll meet with the surgeon, and have a chance to address any questions or concerns. You may receive a mild sedative and post-operative instructions will be reviewed. Your eyes will be dilated and you will be taken to the procedure room. There, your eyes will be anesthetized and the laser procedure, using the advanced, precise Ladarvision® system, will be completed. You should plan to be in our surgery center for 2 to 3 hours.

After Laser Surgery

• After the procedure, you will be asked to rest for about 20 minutes before going home.

• Please arrange for transportation home.

• Plan to rest at least two days following your procedure.

• While you may return to work within two to three days after surgery, please do not wear make-up for one week. In addition, refrain from exercise, swimming or hot tubs for one week, and avoid contact sports for one month. Avoid rubbing your eye for five months.

• You will be given a post-operative care kit which includes:

  • Sunglasses to wear when you leave and for the first few days, both indoors and outside, for eye protection and light sensitivity.

  • Eye shields to wear at bedtime for the first four nights.

  • Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for four days.

  • Lubricating drops to use as needed.

• You will notice immediate improvement in your vision; however, you may experience watery eyes, discomfort (like an eyelash in your eye), fluctuating vision, light sensitivity and halo effect. These normal side effects decrease over the course of 24 hours and are usually gone in three to four weeks.

• If you have previously had dry eyes, expect to have more severe dryness and an increased need for artificial tears for four to six months after LASIK.