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CONGRATULATIONS on your decision
to undergo Laser Vision Correction. The following
is an overview of what your experience is likely
to be before, during, and after the Laser treatment.
We wish to provide you with this information
in order to better prepare you for what may
be the most valuable experience in your life:
Restoring your vision!
It is understandable to feel a
little nervous or apprehensive when the time
for your procedure arrives. You will likely
feel excited, too. This mixed emotional response
is completely normal and natural. However, we
will make every effort to make you feel comfortable
and relaxed.
You may eat and drink whatever
you want prior to the procedure. In addition,
if you are on any medications, you may take
them as you normally do. However, do not consume
alcohol or take any sedative or similar medication
that could make you drowsy before or during
the procedure.
You will be staying in your street
clothes, so be sure to wear something comfortable.
Do not wear any facial or eye makeup, moisturizer,
perfume, cologne, or after-shave. Do not wear
your contact lenses.
You are invited to bring a companion
with you. If you choose, your companion may
stay with you during the entire procedure.
The Procedure
Please arrive on time for your
scheduled appointment. You will begin receiving
medication eye drops to numb the eyes about
30 minutes prior to the procedure. You will
not receive any injections or general anesthetic.
The anxiety you may feel can actually prove
beneficial because it will keep you alert so
that you will be able to concentrate and follow
Dr. Saimovici's instructions during the procedure.
What Happens During The Procedure
After all the pre-procedure medication
eye drops have been administered, you will be
taken to the laser room. You will be seated
in the reclining procedure char. At this point,
the laser computer will be programmed with your
prescribed correction, the chair will be adjusted
to align the eye that is to be treated with
the laser system, and all the instruments will
be prepared. All information is checked and
cross-checked for accuracy. This takes a few
moments. Most patients undergo a bilateral procedure,
in which case the right eye is treated first.
An iodine swab stick will be used
to wipe the area around your eyes. Then an instrument
called an eyelid speculum will be placed between
your eyelids to prevent you from blinking.
At all times you should make every
effort to keep your eyes from moving by staring
at the red fixation light overhead. Occasionally,
the light may become blurry as the procedure
progresses. This is normal.
A metal “ring” will
be placed on your eye, after which you should
feel a little pressure, and in the next moment
the vision in that eye should get dark. Dr.
Saimovici will then create a flap and remove
the ring, returning the vision to your eye.
The top layer of the cornea will be flapped
over and then you will hear a clicking sound
produced by the activated laser.
While the laser is in use you will
be asked to keep your eyes as still as possible.
Concentrate on keeping both eyes open and focus
on the red fixation light. A small amount of
eye movement will not typically affect the outcome
of the procedure. However, the laser can be
stopped at any time during the procedure. Total
laser time for most patients is less than one
minute per eye.
During the procedure, you will
notice distinctive sounds and smells. For example,
the laser makes a clicking or snapping noise
whenever the laser is in use. Dr. Saimovici
will let you know before the treatment begins
so that the noise will not startle you. At the
end of the treatment, the flap will be put back
into place and a lot of cold water will be used
to make sure that it will smoothly go back into
place. About four minutes later, several medication
eye drops will be placed on the eye. The procedure
will then be repeated for your other eye.
What Happens Right After
The Procedure
When the LASIK procedure is complete,
you will be escorted back to the post-procedure
room where you will be seated for a while in
order to make sure everything is all right.
Before you leave you will receive
a Post Operative Kit containing the following:
Antibiotic
(i.e. Ocuflox) ophthalmic drops – these
are to be taken every two hours, one drop
in each eye. (You do not have to wake up every
two hours during the night, but if you wake
up, do take the drops.)
Anti-Inflammatory
(i.e. Lotemax) ophthalmic drops
– these are to be taken every four hours,
one drop in each eye.
Artificial tears
(i.e. Refresh) – use these drops freely,
as needed for comfort.
UV Shields
– to be used when outside, for protection
against dirt, dust, and debris.
Follow-Up Expectations
And Care
Follow the procedure plan to rest
as much as possible during the next two days
while the epithelium (the “flap”)
is healing. You should also use your eye drops
as instructed. Your eyes may water, sometimes
excessively, and you may start feeling some
discomfort 30 to 90 minutes after the procedure
as the anesthetic drops wear off.
You, like most patients, may experience
mild discomfort for a few days. However, patient
reactions range from no discomfort to moderate
pain. Discomfort is described as the sensation
of having something underneath a contact lens
or of having an eyelash or sand in the eyes.
You may also experience a gritty sensation,
an increased sensitivity to light, and/or redness.
Take your eye drops as instructed above. You
can also ease these symptoms by placing a cool
cloth over your eyes and resting in a darkened
room; however, take care to avoid getting water
in your eyes.
The day after the procedure, continue
using your eye drops as instructed. Your vision
will probably be blurry, but for most people
vision will be better than prior the procedure
without glasses. Continue to rest as much as
possible.
It is not unusual for your vision
to remain blurry for the second day following
the procedure. Vision generally starts to improve
once the epithelium, or “skin,”
of your cornea has grown back, which in most
cases takes 2-3 days.
Most patients elect to undergo
their Laser Vision Correction on Thursday, have
the first post-op on Friday, and rest over the
weekend.
At the time of your first office
visit, the next day after the procedure, your
vision may still be slightly blurry, but will
continue to improve. At this point you will
be instructed to take the Ocuflox, as well as
a new anti-inflammatory drop (i.e. Lotemax)
four times a day, about 15 minutes apart from
each other. Keep using the artificial tears
when needed. By now your vision should be good
enough for you to function on your own. You
should refrain from driving until your vision
is sufficiently restored to make driving safe.
What Happens In The Coming
Weeks
Your vision will continue to improve.
For many patients, stable, clear vision is achieved
within 1-2 weeks. However, a few patients may
take six months or longer to achieve their best
vision.
Some patients, especially those
who have had severe nearsightedness corrected,
may experience night glare after the procedure.
Night glare generally disappears over time.
Activity Restrictions
Avoid getting water and shampoo
in your eyes while bathing or showering during
the first week.
Do NOT drive for the first 2-3
days. Thereafter, refrain from driving until
you are SURE your vision does not create a safety
concern.
Do not swim or use hot tubs or
whirlpools until you are instructed that you
may do so, usually one month after the treatment.
Avoid any activities that could
cause you to get dirt or dust in your eyes.
In Appreciation
We know how much you value your
eyes and we are grateful that you have placed
your trust in us. Rest assured that we are committed
to providing you with the best possible care
and the most advanced laser equipment and techniques.
Achieving your most complete vision correction
is our goal. We are proud of our results, and
hundreds of happy, satisfied patients are witnesses
to our successful efforts. We sincerely hope
that you will be one of them as well!
Yours in good health,
Dr. Saimovici and Staff
“Experienced doctors who care.”
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