PROCEDURE DAY
Your LASIK procedure day is finally here! There’s not much for you to do other than show up. There are no food and drink restrictions prior to the surgery. Some of our afternoon patients work right up to the time of their surgery. There is no need to be here hours before your scheduled procedure. You will be scheduled a time to arrive, and usually, within 30 minutes of your arrival, you’re procedure will be started. Amazingly, once you’re in the Lasik laser operation suite, it only takes about 15 minutes to have both eyes treated.
The most common question that our clients ask is, “Does it hurt?” For almost every patient the answer is a resounding “no!” It is generally a painless procedure with a very quick recovery for most patients. We do not use any needles. Instead, we use a drop to numb the cornea to take away any pain sensation. Overall, LASIK is a very easy process as a patient.
The procedure works by reshaping corneal tissue layers just beneath the outer surface of the eye. Dr. Eisner will give you clear instruction throughout the procedure. Your only job is to lay still and follow directions. Don’t worry about blinking. You won’t be able to blink. Don’t worry about moving. Our Advanced CustomVue laser system is equipped with the most advanced 3-D tracking technology to make sure your eye is always in the right spot.
As soon as your procedure is completed, Dr. Eisner will examine your eyes in an exam room to confirm that everything looks good post-operatively. Now comes the fun part—take a nap! It’s the best thing you can do to speed your recovery along. Dr. Eisner prescribes a Valium to ensure that you get a nice, relaxing nap.
Sleeping for 1-2 hours after your procedure will make a huge difference in your vision. It’s normal to feel some degree of scratchiness until you go to sleep and let the natural tears and oils produced in the eye begin to smooth things over. You will not be able to drive home yourself. Please be sure to have a friend or family member drive you home.
Patience is a virtue. Many patients will see an improvement immediately after their procedure. For almost everyone, the visual recovery is more noticeable after 5-6 hours (and a good nap). However, the next day is something to really look forward to.
