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LASIK surgery has revolutionised vision correction, offering freedom from glasses or contact lenses. Whether you’re considering it for the first time or just curious, understanding the process can ease any concerns. Here’s a clear guide to what happens before, during, and after LASIK, so you know exactly what to expect when considering eye care in Austin, TX.
Before Surgery
Patients mainly experience three stages inLasikk treatment. Patients need to undergo a primary or baseline examination by the eye doctor to judge whether or not to carry out LASIK surgery. The patient must know how to prepare for the test and what to expect. If the patient wears contact lenses, it is advisable to discontinue their use before the baseline evaluation. In addition, the patient should wear glasses full-time until the baseline reading is taken. This is because contact lenses alter the shape of the cornea for as long as a few weeks, depending on the types of contact lenses used, making it difficult to judge the actual shape of the cornea before surgery if a trial run is not longer than that. There may be side effects from using contact lenses continuously, such as skipped or poor readings in terms of the outcome, requiring a surgical plan resulting in tissue removal calculation.
On the Day of Surgical Treatment
Finish all last-minute work before arriving to be prepared for this surgery.
- Before entering the center for Lasik surgery, all eye and facial makeup must be washed off completely.
- Patients should also avoid using perfumes, colognes, or aftershave because these might interfere with the laser’s performance.
- Eating a light meal before one arrives to get Lasik treatment is always better.
- It is very important to wear comfortable clothes that can be worn after the procedure and throughout the night.
- The patient will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form. No surgery will occur unless the patient signs that form. Address any doubts during this stage to ensure there are no misconceptions before actually performing the surgery.
During the surgical phase
Numbing drops
First, numbing drops are instilled in the eye for comfort and to encourage patient cooperation in following the instructions during the procedure. No injection or general anesthesia is used in Lasik surgery. The whole procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and numbing drops can be applied even during this time.
After LASIK surgery
The doctor will have outlined an aftercare plan that the patient must follow after the operation. This includes some eye drops that the patient must use about every 2 hours. Avoid rubbing the eyes at all because it may cause the flap to detach.
The doctor must be seen within 24 to 48 hours following surgery. After this, the patient must visit them at intervals of six months. This follow-up is necessary since it helps the doctor know how the recovery progresses post-operation.
LASIK is the great miracle that has provided us with perfect vision without wearing spectacles or contact lenses. Generally, after a refractive surgery procedure, patients have a high chance of achieving 20/40 vision or better.
Ordinarily, this procedure takes less than thirty minutes. In this surgery, the patient will be reclining in a recliner. Sometimes, they give the patient medication to relax. Anesthetic drops would be applied to the eye before the doctor inserts the instrument, which holds the patient’s eyelids open.
This might be due to pathological conditions like improper wound healing, hormonal imbalance, or pregnancy. In certain cases, the vision change occurs due to another eye condition. So, it is better to consult the patient’s doctor regarding any change in their vision.
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