Preparing For Laser Vision Correction Surgery

How to prepare for your LASIK surgery, from pre-op consultation to day of surgery and post op after care.

General Instructions for Your Laser Vision Correction Procedure

Pre-op Consultation

• One of our technicians will perform several specialized diagnostic tests on your eyes.
• Dr. Mark Mucci (optometrist) will review your test results, will check your glasses prescription, and will exam your eyes to rule out any eye disease.
• If you are a good candidate for surgery, Dr. Lane will also see you personally.
• Dr. Lane wants to meet and examine your eyes personally before surgery and will answer any questions you may have.

Before Surgery

• Please ensure that you do not wear your contact lenses prior to your procedure; 2 weeks for soft contact lenses and 1 month for rigid gas permeable lenses.
• You will need to book your procedure day and the following day off work.
• Arrange for a driver for your procedure day at LCC.
• Make day 1 post-op appointment with Dr. Lane, and 1 week appointment with Dr. Lane or your referring optometrist (if you were referred).

Day of Surgery

• Please wear comfortable clothing. Avoid sweaters, and wear a button down top or shirt that is lint-free. For ladies, please avoid skirts or dresses, as you will be lying down.
• Do not wear eye makeup of any kind, and avoid any moisturizing face cream on your procedure day.
• No perfume or cologne on the day of your procedure.
• Take any medications as you normally would. Please advise staff of any medications you may have taken on the day of your procedure.
• We will advise you of your arrival time prior to your surgery day. Please note that the arrival time provided is not your actual procedure time. In general, while the procedure itself takes less than 20 minutes for both eyes, patients should plan on being at the clinic for up to two hours on their procedure day for pre and post-operative care.
• You will require a driver to take you home, and you will not be permitted to leave until your driver arrives.

LASIK Post-op Instructions (medications and sunglasses provided at no extra cost)

LASIK Post-op Restrictions

• Wear post-op goggles when sleeping x 3 days to protect your eyes
• 1 week avoid rubbing eyes
• 1 week avoid makeup
• 1 week avoid workouts
• 1 month avoid swimming
• 1 month avoid hot tub
• 1 month avoid ball sports

What to expect

• SLEEP is the most important part of your visual recovery during the first 6 to 12 hours following your LASIK procedure. Most patients feel emotionally exhausted and also have had sedation for their procedure, and sleep comes easily. Sleep definitely speeds up your visual recovery and assures that the corneal flaps heal perfectly in position. Closing your eyes while resting is not as effective. You will be provided with safety goggles that should be worn while asleep during the first 48 hours to prevent accidental injury to your eyes. Sunglasses are recommended during the day.
• Immediately following your procedure, your eyes will feel gritty, and it is common to feel a foreign body sensation. The eyes will also feel dry, be more light-sensitive, and your vision will be hazy. These symptoms occur in 100% of people during the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
• You may experience some discomfort following your procedure; however, any sudden increase in pain or decrease in vision during the first week should be reported to your optometrist or LCC as soon as possible.
• Excessive TV watching, computer use, or reading will strain your eyes and increase dryness. These activities should be done in moderation for the first few days.
• By the first morning after your LASIK procedure, your vision and comfort level will improve dramatically, however it will not be perfect. This is normal.
• Do not rub your eyes. Be very careful around small children and pets (to avoid getting poked in the eye accidentally).
• You may shower the next morning but avoid the shower spraying directly at your eyes. It is also important to avoid getting shampoo in your eyes.
• Eye make-up should be avoided for the first week.
• During the first week avoid exercise or sports, dusty or dirty environments, and swimming pools. Wait one month prior to any contact sports,  swimming in a lake, an ocean, or entering a hot tub.
• Symptoms of visual fluctuation, blurriness, dryness, and night glare are very common during the first month and typically clear over the first three to six months as the eyes heal.
• It is important to remember that everyone feels differently and has different prescriptions, therefore do not compare your results with others. Your optometrist will monitor your progress and will keep LCC informed every step of the way.
• It is important to follow your recommended eye drop regimen and post-operative instructions

LASIK After Care

• It is very important that you see your eye doctor for the following post-operative appointments
  • Day 1 (Dr. Lane)
  • Week 1 (your optometrist)
  • Month 1 (your optometrist)
  • Month 3 (your optometrist)
  • Month 12 (your optometrist)
• You may require more frequent visits if your eye doctor is monitoring you for changes or if you require an enhancement procedure.
• Most patients have stable vision after 1 month; however, patients with higher or more complicated prescriptions may take 3-6 months. Enhancement procedures to improve the final visual results are performed in a very small percentage, usually those with higher prescriptions or unusual healing patterns. Your eye doctor will ensure you are visually stable before scheduling an enhancement, usually between 3-6 months. Enhancements are performed at no charge during the first year.
• It is common for patients to be referred back to Dr. Lane during their recovery for a consultation or additional testing. Do not be alarmed.

PRK Post-op Instructions

In case of after hours emergency, please call the office number 705-320-8001 and our answering service will get in touch with one of our doctors. If your call is not urgent, please call during office hours 8a.m. to 4p.m., or contact your optometrist.