Did You Know?
LASIK is one of the most popular elective procedures in the United States.
LASIK is a popular laser eye surgery designed to correct refractive errors, which are common vision issues such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The procedure involves reshaping the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye, to allow light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina for clearer vision. During LASIK surgery, a precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by the iLASIK excimer laser reshapes the cornea. This method is 100% blade-free.
1. Check-In
Please bring with you the day of surgery:
We ask you to arrive ten minutes prior to your appointment time on the day of surgery. Please come without any makeup, hair products, cologne, or fragrance. Dress for your comfort; the laser room is kept at a chilly 68˚.
Our Front Office Staff will check you in at the front desk and accept your Consent Form and method of payment. You should also have your prescriptions with you for use during your procedure.
Please note regarding payment:
2. Preparation
Once you are checked in, a member of our Patient Care Team will welcome you to the corneal area. Your family may come back with you; in fact, we will have refreshments for you and your support team! A member of our Patient Care Team will review your post-operative instructions, your upcoming appointments, and have you sign one last form before giving you a 5mg Valium. Your prescription drops will be instilled (an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory), and we will sterilize around the eye area. You are now officially ready for vision correction!
You can relax with your family in the waiting area before Dr. Parker comes to take you to the laser room.
3. Your Procedure
Since you will not have your glasses on, Dr. Parker will personally guide you to the laser room. Your family will get to stay behind and hang out with a member of our Patient Care Team.
The IntraLase laser is used first to create the corneal flap. Then the bed you are lying on will pivot to the excimer treatment laser for vision correction. Dr. Parker will talk you through each step of the procedure so you always know what to expect.
4. Relaxation
A member of our Patient Care Team will get you comfy and reclined in an exam chair and offer you a drink or snack if you wish. Your family may join you in the exam room to hear all the details. Although you may already notice a difference in your vision and be inclined to look around, Dr. Parker asks you to keep your eyes closed so they can rest. Your eyes may be burning, scratchy, and watery, which is to be expected.
Before your departure, Dr. Parker will perform a quick exam, use your prescription drops, and instill another numbing drop before sending you home for your nap.
5. Recovery
Once you are home, it is not necessary for someone to monitor you while you recover and take your nap. However, you will need to awaken after 2-3 hours to use your prescription antibiotic drops and steroid drops. Continue your steroid drop every two hours until bedtime and use your antibiotic drops once more before bedtime. Rest and relax the rest of the day and limit your “screen time” (tablets, phones, computers, TV, and limited reading) as your vision continues to improve.
6. Enjoy Your New Vision!
The next day, you may reach for your glasses on the bedside stand, but you should be able to read the clock just fine without them!! Don’t forget to meet Dr. Parker at the office for a quick one-day post-op exam. You will still need a driver, but you will be released to drive after this exam. In fact, you will receive a “get-out-of-driving-restrictions free card” to negate what is on your license.
Continue using your antibiotic and steroid drops four times a day for one week and your preservative-free artificial tears at least every two hours and as needed in between. Enjoy your new vision and be sure to share with your friends and family everything you know about LASIK and what it is like to have the freedom to do the activities you love!
Full vision correction can take several weeks to become apparent. Like LASIK, many people who undergo PRK have excellent results. This is something you can discuss with Dr. Parker about at a Free Screening.
