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Before Surgery

Contact Lenses:         

  • Remove your soft contact lenses 3 days prior to surgery.
  • Remove your soft toric contact lenses 2 weeks prior to surgery.
  • Discontinue gas perm or hard contact lenses 1 month prior to surgery (or as instructed by the doctor).

Vitamin C                 

  • Take 1000 mg of Vitamin C (any brand), 7 days pre and post-operatively.
  • Although this is not mandatory, it may assist in the healing process.

Supplemental Medications:

  • BioTears 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 – begin using at least one week prior to surgery (if possible), do not use the actual day of surgery, then begin again one week after.  THIS ONLY APPLIES TO YOU IF YOU WERE GIVEN A PRESCIPTION FOR RESTASIS®.


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.

Driver: 

  • Mandatory for surgery and 1 day postoperative visit.

Time Planning:

  • Plan on being in the facility for ~ 2 hours from the time you arrive.
  • Feel free to bring your phone to listen to music to help pass the time.
  • You will not be able to read or work on your computer while waiting for your procedure.

Follow up Visits:        

  • Your next exam after surgery will be the following day.
  • We will perform a complete examination (with dilation) at 3 months after surgery.
  • All of your subsequent follow up visits are with optometrist or one of our associate doctors unless it is necessary to see the surgeon.

After Surgery

Behavior: 

  • 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.
  • DO NOT SQUEEZE YOUR EYES. Just blink normally. Your vision may be blurry during the healing process.

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.
  • Use Preservative-Free Artificial Tears at least 4 times a day for the first several months and more often when looking at a screen for prolonged periods.

Special Precautions:

  • You may return to driving and/or work in 1-3 days, as your vision and comfort allows.
  • No make-up or aftershave for 4 days after surgery. After, 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 EYES FOR 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY.
  • Use caution when participating in contact sports so as to prevent being hit in the eye.

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). Then, 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). Then, 1 drop 3 times a day for 7 Days. Then 1 drop a day for 5 Days.

  • Preservative-Free Artificial Tears – 1 drop 4 times a day for a month. Use more frequently when looking at screens for prolonged periods of time. Start the day after surgery. Refills available over the counter. We recommend stocking up for at least three months after surgery.