The LASIK Experience

Complimentary Consultation
The first step for every patient should be to come in for a complimentary screening consultation. At this visit, we take some eye measurements needed to determine if you are a candidate. We utilize the Obscan Iiz, one of the most advanced corneal mapping devices available, to measure the front surface, back surface and the thickness of the cornea (clear window of the eye). We also measure pupil size, verify your prescription and take a brief medical history. Next, our experienced patient counselor will sit down with you and review your candidacy and answer any of your questions. This visit usually lasts 1 hour. Contact lens wearers learn why and how long they need to be out of their lenses before the next step. The general rule is two weeks for soft lenses and at least 4 weeks for RGP or hard lenses. At the close of your screening, if you are a good candidate and would like to proceed, your patient counselor will schedule the next three appointments for you:

1) Pre-operative Exam
This is typically your next step after the complimentary screening consultation. At this visit, your primary eye care doctor will take the balance of the measurements that will be used for the surgery, evaluate the data collected at your screening appointment, and perform additional diagnostic tests to ensure that you are a good candidate. This visit will include measuring your optical prescription with your eyes undilated and also with them dilated.

2) Surgeon Consult
NuVision offers the unique advantage of providing every patient with two medical opinions at no additional cost. Each surgical candidate will have a consult with the surgeon prior to surgery. The surgeon will thoroughly review the data collected at your screening and your pre-operative exam. He/She will also evaluate your general ocular health for diseases or abnormalities. This includes checking for cataracts, increased eye pressure, retinal problems, and corneal irregularities.

3) Surgery
Once your pre-operative visits are complete, you are ready to undergo your refractive surgery on the scheduled day. You will arrive at the Surgery Center prepared to spend approximately two and a half hours. Arrangements must be made for someone to drive you home. You will also need to dress comfortably (i.e. no pull over shirts and dress warm, our laser surgical suite ranges between 66-70 degrees). We also ask that you not bring young children with you as a consideration to other patients who will be anxiously anticipating their surgery. Your surgeon and the highly trained staff are focused on safety and performing their job to the best of their abilities. Every effort is made to keep you comfortable and informed before, during, and after your LASIK procedure.

Just prior to surgery, you will be given Valium to help reduce any anxiety and to help you relax. One of our staff members will also carefully review your post-operative instructions with you and answer any questions you have. You are then ready to move into the surgical suite. The laser suite is busy with activity as your surgeon and the technicians go about their work. Once you are in position on the laser bed, the technicians will administer the necessary topical anesthetic. There will not be any shots of any kind.

A small retaining device is placed around the edges of your eyelid to keep them open and prevent blinking. During the creation of the flap it is normal for your vision to gray out or go dark, and you may also feel some pressure. We ask that you lie still and not talk as the surgeon guides you step by step through the rest of your procedure. The first step will be the creation of the corneal flap. The second step will be the laser treatment. The laser's work is usually complete in a few minutes or less. Finally, the corneal flap will be carefully smoothed back into its original position by your surgeon.

If you are having both eyes done, the procedure is repeated on the other eye. Throughout the entire process you are conscious of what is going on and are able to follow all events of the procedure. While you may feel differences in pressure, there is minimal if any discomfort. Our friendly and attentive staff will talk you through every step of the procedure. The last step of the day will be for the doctor to make certain that both corneal flaps are perfectly sealed back in place. Once this step is complete, you will be given your surgery packet of drops, eye protection and instructions and are ready to leave.

After Surgery
We strongly recommend that you keep your eyes closed or sleep for most of the remainder of your surgery day. It is recommended that you do not watch TV, read, or do any extensive computer work on the day of your surgery. The natural position of your eyelids remaining closed helps the corneal flap to smoothly and permanently affix itself to your eye and to speed the normal healing process. You will also instill artificial tears at least every hour or if your eyes feel the least bit dry or irritated.

The day after surgery you can take part in any activity that is not strenuous. Most of our patients usually take it easy and prefer to spend most of the following 24 hours sleeping or relaxing.

Post Operative Care
The first hours immediately following your LASIK procedure are the most critical for healing. You should keep your eyes well lubricated with tears and follow your post-operative instructions. The next day patients are able to return to almost all of their normal activities.

Post-operative care is an important part of your surgery. Make sure that you have good, quality follow-up after your refractive surgery. At a minimum your refractive surgery should be checked at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. This can vary based on your individual healing response. Close monitoring of the way you heal can make a difference in the way you ultimately see.