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CLEAR SIGHT, CLEAR MIND
Laser Vision Correction
LASIK (femtoLASIK/IntraLASIK)

Definition 

 

With LASIK, a small flap is created in the front portion of the cornea with either a micromechanical device or a special laser system called femtosecond laser (now the standard of care; bladeless LASIK/FemtoLASIK, IntraLASIK). The flap is then lifted and an excimer laser controlled by a computer is applied on the remaining cornea to sculpt a new shape, either decreasing the curvature of the cornea, to correct nearsightedness, or increasing the curvature of the cornea, to correct farsightedness. The reshaped cornea allows the light rays to focus more accurately on the retina.

[LASIK instructions]  [LASIK photos]

 

Before

 

In preparation for surgery, contact lenses should be removed at least 3 days before the procedure, and sometimes up to one to two weeks, if your doctor judged necessary. Also, avoid wearing eye make-ups starting the day before the procedure.

 

During

 

During the LASIK procedure, you will be lying down at all time and looking up at the laser system positioned above your face. Anesthetic drop will be used to numb your eyes and make you totally comfortable throughout the procedure. A small device will be inserted between your eyelids to prevent you from closing your eye. You will be asked to spot a green blinking light. You will then feel a pressure over your eye and vision might become dim or even black out for several seconds. Try not to move during this time. Vision will come back right after. You will then be asked to look at the green blinking light. When it’s time for the laser to work, you will be notified, and you should look at the blinking light at all times. The laser, however, will follow your eye in case it moves, and will completely stop if it moves far out. Once you look at the light again, the laser will continue exactly where it left off. Looking at the light, however, will ensure uninterrupted, smoother treatment. The procedure will take around 5 minutes per eye.



        

LASIK Preoperative and Postoperative Instructions
 
Light focusing before & after Lasik
LASIK step by step
Patient's view of the laser during LASIK
Postoperative Care
Instructions & do's/don'ts

First day

 

After the procedure, you need to wear transparent plastic eye-shields all day long for the first day, and then wear them during sleep for the first week. Try to keep your eyes closed as much as possible for the rest of the day. This will ensure adequate flap healing and maximum comfort. Use antibiotic drops and steroid eye drops 4 to 5" times, equally spaced for the rest of the day, depending on your doctor’s recommendation. Additionally, use lubrication eye drops every few hours and as needed. 

 

Second Day & First Few Weeks

 

You can resume normal activity like driving, reading, and computer work the second day of the surgery. You need to keep your sunglasses when out for one week. After surgery, you will be using antibiotics and steroid anti-inflammatory drops every 4 hours (4-5 times a day each), equally spaced during daytime, and lubrication drops every few hours and as needed. Always allow 5 minutes between any two consecutive drops. When instilling eye-drops, try not to press on the eyeball. Instead, chin up, pull on the lower lid, and instill a drop in the cul-de-sac between the eyeball and the lower lid or directly on the eyeball. The eye drops will be tapered and stopped according to your doctor’s instructions, but the lubrication drops can be used as needed for several weeks to several months. Visual fluctuations are not uncommon for the first few weeks and even months sometimes, especially when staring, reading, or working on computers, and they keep improving with time, especially with frequent lubrication. Preservative-free lubrication drops can come in small unit doses.You may recap them, and re-use them several times as long as you throw them the same day. Other preservative-free eye drops come in special tiny bottles with micro filters or one-way valves. 

 

Do’s and don’ts instructions 

 

Wear transparent plastic eye-shields while sleeping for the first week, avoid eye rubbing for one month, minimize direct water contact like splashing your eyes while washing your face or showering as much as possible for one week, and avoid swimming for 3 weeks. Additionally, no eye make-up should be applied till after 3 weeks. Visual improvement after LASIK is fast, and patients can see very well by the next day, as they can drive and go back to work. Additional visual improvement occurs within a week or two.

How to instill eye drops
 
Chart of do's and don'ts after LASIK