Your first step is to make a free LASIK consultation appointment with one of our fully trained Patient Counselors, who will be able to answer almost any question in regards to your LASIK procedure as it specifically pertains to you. By evaluating your prescription as it relates to your age, we can determine if your goals can be achieved through laser vision correction. Our number one priority is to provide each individual with ample information in order for the patient to make a well informed decision regarding laser vision correction.
For your convenience, you may download and complete the following forms. Bring them with you to your initial visit to avoid having to do so at the time of the consultation:
The second step is a thorough pre-operative examination to determine if you are actually a true candidate for LASIK. This is a dilated exam (drops placed in the eye to enlarge your pupil) performed by a doctor to test your refraction, corneal thickness, pupil size, ocular pressure, optic nerve, etc. The doctor will record all of your information, as well as, answer any questions in regards to your individual case including your candidacy for the procedure.
The third step is to schedule your LASIK procedure. During the day of surgery, you will be provided with a list of pre-operative instructions–including the fact that you must be accompanied by a driver for a ride home because you cannot drive directly after surgery. Be prepared to be at the facility for about two - three hours on the day of surgery. Although the surgery only lasts for about ten minutes, instructions are given, payment is collected, forms are signed, questions are asked, etc.–many little things that add up to about two hours.
The day following your LASIK procedure, you should be seeing well enough to drive to the one-day post-operative exam (if you feel you do not see well enough to drive, please be cautious and have someone drive you to your appointment). The one-day post-op exam should last no more than 20 minutes and allows the doctor to make sure everything is healing properly. After this exam, you are able to go back to work as long as it is a clean atmosphere like an office setting (dusty and dirty jobs, ie. construction work, we recommend a few days away from your job).
Next are routine follow-ups, usually a one to two week follow-up and a three month follow-up. This again is to ensure proper healing is taking place. Normally, after your three month follow-up, no other precautionary exams are necessary. A yearly eye exam is recommended to ensure there are no other conditions affecting your eyes (a biannual exam is normally suggested for people who have not undergone refractive surgery).
Pre-operative Instructions:
Surgical Center Arrival Time:
… Your scheduled surgical time is your arrival time. It is important for you to make arrangements to arrive at the Surgical Center on time to allow proper preparation for the surgery and to consider the time requirements of others who may be undergoing surgery the same day.
… Please make arrangements for someone to drive you home after surgery, as your eyes may be blurry and uncomfortable.
Medicated Eye Drops:
… You will be provided with a prescription for antibiotic eye drops. Please bring this drop with you the day of your LASIK procedure so our staff can make sure the right drop has been distributed to you.
… You will be given an anti-flamatory drop on the day of your LASIK procedure.
… You will take the above two drops together (allowing five minutes between drops) for seven days, every four hours while awake. Usually, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime are the best way to remember to take your drops.
… Dr. Patel will place your first drops in your eye directly after the procedure. You will not need to administer another set of drops until four hours after you leave our facility.
Make-up/Perfume/Cologne:
… All eye make-up should be removed from the eye(s) being prepared for surgery at least one day prior to your LASIK procedure to insure there is no eye make-up during your LASIK procedure.
… DO NOT WEAR perfume or cologne on the day of surgery because it may affect the beam of the laser.
… DO NOT USE facial creams or moisturizers the day of surgery.
Clothing:
… It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing that buttons up the front on the day of your LASIK procedure.
… Please leave all jewelry at home, with the exception of a wedding bands, all other jewelry will need to be removed.
Operative Procedures:
… When taken to the Laser Treatment Room, eye drops are applied and your eyes are examined by the doctor under the laser microscope.
… Dr. Patel will walk you through each stage of the surgery.
… Your cornea will be delicately marked with ink and the surgery will begin, taking approximately 10 minutes to complete. (The laser will actually operate for less than one minute per eye in most cases.)
… A small lid holder will keep the eye being treated open. It may feel like you are blinking, but you cannot.
… The corneal flap is made with a device called a microkeratome.
... After the flap is created, it is gently lifted and the laser is applied to reshape the cornea. You will hear a clicking sound and may smell some of the gases from the laser.
… After the treatment is completed, the flap is repositioned and cleaned with a balanced salt solution.
… Your fist dose of medications are given to you by Dr. Patel. Drops are to be taken about every four hours-while awake-for seven days (four times a day).
Post-Operative Care:
Sunglasses:
… It is recommended that you wear the wrap around sunglasses supplied by Envision Laser Centers, while outdoors during the post-operative period for approximately 7 days, as you are likely to be sensitive to sunlight and to keep debris from blowing into the eye.
Glare and Starburst:
… You may notice more glare and starbursts than usual, especially at night, in sunlight, or with oncoming traffic. This effect will diminish over the next few months. Most people observe that it is no worse than they experienced with contact lenses.
Fluctuation of Vision:
… This is not a dramatic phenomenon, but you may notice gradual fluctuations from week to week during the first three months following surgery.
Activity:
… DO NOT RUB YOUR EYE(S).
… It is recommended that you avoid contact sports and swimming for two weeks following surgery. Other physical activity is not restricted. If you have any questions, please call and we will gladly answer them for you.
