What Happens On the Day of Your Treatment?

• Try to avoid caffeine, diet pills, workout stimulants or antihistamines as these substances may affect pupil size.
• Wear comfortable clothing.  All make up should be removed from the operative eye(s) prior to treatment.  Also, you should not wear any perfumes or colognes on the day of your treatment.
• Prior to your treatment, you will receive drops in the operative eye(s) to prevent discomfort.  You may experience some discomfort during the laser treatment.  You may be offered medication to calm you during the procedure, which you are free to decline should you so choose.
• The non-operative eye may be patched or taped closed to better align the eye being treated.
• It will take a few minutes to properly position you under the microscope.  Your physician will then insert an eyelid holder to prevent blinking.
• You will be asked to focus on a flashing light through the procedure.  Your physician will monitor your eye through the microscope at all times.
• If you are undergoing LASIK, there will be two parts to your treatment.  During the first part, the physician will place an instrument on your eye that will hold your eye still during creation of the flap.  You will hear a sound and feel suction on your eye.  Your vision will begin to dim and you will lose sight of the flashing light. Your vision will return after the suction ends.
• In the second part of the Lasik Procedure, you will hear another vacuum sound accompanied by a metallic tapping sound as the laser gently alters the refractive curvature of your eye.  After the laser treatment, your corneal flap will be repositioned.
• Immediately after the treatment, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are place in the treated eyes(s).  A shield may be placed over treated eye(s).
• For PRK and Epi-Lasik procedures, the procedure will be much the same, except in PRK no flap is being created and in Epi-Lasik a small surface flap is created instead, just over the area of the eye to be treated with the laser.  A "bandage" contact lens will be placed over treated eye(s) after the procedure is finished to aid the eye's healing process.
• You may be asked to remain at the laser surgery center for a short time after your procedure so that your eye doctor can ensure that everything is stable before sending you home.
• Please go directly home after your treatment.  Arrange for friend or family to drive you home after the procedure.  Do not drive yourself.  You should rest for about 4 hours.