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Before Surgery

Contact Lenses

  • If you have traditional soft contact lenses, remove them 3 days prior to surgery.
  • If you have soft toric contact lenses, remove them 2 weeks prior to surgery.
  • If you use gas permeable or hard contact lenses, discontinue their use 1 month prior to surgery.

Driver

  • A driver is mandatory to take you from your surgery and to go to and from your 1-day postoperative visit.

Time Planning

  • Plan on being in the facility for 2 hours from the time you arrive. Feel free to use your phone before surgery but you can’t bring it in with you during the procedure.

Supplemental Medications

  • TheraTears Gel Caps – begin taking as soon as possible and plan to continue for at least 3 months after surgery. Take one pill in the AM and one pill in the PM each day.
  • Restasis® eye drops – THIS ONLY APPLIES TO YOU IF YOU WERE GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION FOR RESTASIS®. Take one drop twice per day beginning one week after surgery.
Other Medications

  • Bring your eye drops and a list of your medications with you to your operative visit.
  • You will be provided a mild sedative (ex: Valium) to help you relax during the procedure and a Tylenol PM to help you rest afterwards.

Dress Code

  • Dress comfortably.
  • Bring layers as the treatment area will be cold.
  • Do not wear any perfume, cologne, hairspray or after-shave on the day of your procedure.
  • ABSOLUTELY NO EYE MAKEUP OR FOUNDATION ON SURGERY DAY.
  • The evening before the procedure, soak the eye with a warm wash cloth to remove all eye make-up.

Follow up Visits  

  • We will see you the day after surgery, 1 month, 3-6 months (comprehensive exam including dilation) and 1 year following surgery.
  • All of your subsequent follow up visits are with one of our optometrists unless it is necessary to see the surgeon.

After Surgery

Behavior

  • Do not squeeze your eyes. Just blink normally.
  • Your vision may be blurry during the healing process.
  • Remain quiet the evening of surgery.
  • A 2 to 3-hour nap is highly recommended immediately after the procedure.
  • If unable to sleep, eyes should be kept closed for 4 hours to improve comfort and help initiate the healing process. You can increase activity as your comfort and vision allows.

Discomfort

  • Discomfort may vary. It is usually described as a slight burning or foreign body sensation for a few hours.
  • Over the counter medication may be taken to relieve discomfort.
  • If you have sudden, prolonged pain after the first day, call the office immediately.

Light Sensitivity

  •  You may experience light sensitivity and/or glare around bright lights at night during the first couple of weeks following surgery.

Dryness

  • It is also normal to experience dryness in your eyes after surgery.
  • Dryness can persist for many months following Lasik.
  • Use Preservative-Free Artificial Tears at least 4 times a day for the first several months.

Special Precautions:

  • You may return to driving and/or work in 1-3 days when your vision and comfort allow.
  • No eye make-up or aftershave for 4 days after surgery. Use extreme caution when applying or removing eye make-up.
  • Sleep in the provided goggles or shields for 1 week.
  • Be careful when showering. No direct water in the eye(s) for 2 weeks.
  • No swimming for 2 weeks after surgery.
  • Do not rub your eye for 3 months after surgery.
  • Use caution when participating in contact sports.

Medications
It is important to follow the instructions below. Any prescription medication can have severe side effects if used other than prescribed. Use each eye drop during waking hours. For each dose, dispense one drop in each eye that underwent surgery. Wait at least 5 minutes between each different medication. Drops may sting for a few seconds.DO NOT squeeze your eyes.

  • Vigamox (Antibiotic, Tan top) – 1 Drop twice on night of surgery (once when you wake up from nap and once before you go to bed). Following day, 1 drop 3 times a day for 7 Days.
  • Durezol (Anti-Inflammatory, Pink top) – 1 Drop twice on night of surgery (once when you wake up from nap and once before you go to bed). Following day, 1 drop 3 times a day for 7 Days.
  • Preservative-Free Artificial Tears – 1 drop 4 times a day for a month. Start the day after surgery. Refills available over the counter. We recommend stocking up for at least three months after surgery.