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 and the chair will be
adjusted to align the eye that is to be treated
with the laser system. 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 always
treated first.
An instrument called an eyelid
speculum will then be placed between your eyelids
to prevent you from blinking.
Dr. Saimovici will let you know
when he is ready to activate the laser and begin
the treatment. 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.
The laser will then be activated
and you will hear the clicking sound produced
by the 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 laser treatment a special contact
lens will be placed on your eye, as well as
several medication eye drops. The procedure
will then be repeated for your other eye.
What Happens Right After
The Procedure
When the Laser procedure is complete,
you will be escorted back to the post-procedure
room. You will have more eye drops placed in
your eyes.
The soft contact lenses that are
placed on your eyes minimize discomfort after
the procedure. They will remain in your eyes
for 2-4 days. Dr. Saimovici will remove them
during your visit to the office. Do not remove
the lenses yourself. If the lenses should dislodge
and/or come out, please call us right away.
Before you leave you will receive
a Post Operative Kit containing the following:
Anti-Inflammatory
(i.e. Lotemax) ophthalmic drops –
these are to be taken four times daily, one
drop in each eye.
Antibiotic (i.e.
Ocuflox) ophthalmic drops – these
are to be taken four times daily, one drop
in each eye.
Analgesic (pain
killer) (i.e. Acular or Voltaren) ophthalmic
drops – these are to be taken
ONLY if experiencing severe discomfort or
pain and can not be taken more than every
2-3 hours, up to six times a day, with one
drop per 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.
Prescription
for oral pain killers – Tylenol
#3, one to two tablets every 3-4 hours as
needed.
Follow-Up Expectations
And Care
Follow the procedure plan to rest
as much as possible during the next 2-3 days
while the epithelium is healing and the contact
lenses are in your eyes. 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 a Friday so
that they can rest and recuperate during the
weekend. In this case, the first office visit
following the procedure is on Monday.
At the time of your office visit
following the procedure your eyes will be examined
by Dr. Saimovici. By then, most likely, your
corneas have healed and the contact lenses will
be removed. Your vision may still be slightly
blurry, but it will continue to improve. At
this point you will be taking only one eye medication
(i.e. Lotemax) and an artificial tear (i.e.
Refresh). 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 2-3 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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