Lasik surgery is a type of refractive surgery that helps enhance the eyes’ focusing power. The procedure involves use of a special laser for controlled and precise removal of tissue of the cornea and reshaping the cornea, thereby changing its power to focus. In Lasik surgery, the surgeon will cut out a flap in the stromal layer of the eye and then fold it back before using the laser to correct the corneal focus.
The doctor will carry out different tests, check your medical history, and ask questions, etc, before deeming a person fit for Lasik eye surgery.
A day before the surgery, patients need to stop using lotions, creams, perfumes, and makeup. These items and any associated debris on the eyelashes can increase the potential to infections during and post surgery. Doctors may also ask patients to scrub clean the eyes and eyelashes to remove all debris and residues before performing the surgery. It is also important for patients to arrange someone to drive them back home after the surgery is finished.
Lasik Surgery – The Procedure
Lasik surgery takes about 30 minutes or less to complete. Patients will be made to lie on a reclining chair in the operating room. The doctor will place a numbing drop in the eye, clean the region surrounding the eye, and use a ‘lid speculum’ to keep open the eyelids.
The surgeon may use a mechanical microkeratome or a laser keratome to cut a slap in the cornea. This process may be accompanied by dimming of the vision and some discomfort and pressure on the eye. Once the flap is cut patients may experience fluctuating levels of blurred sight for the remainder of the procedure. The surgeon will lift up the flap, fold it backwards on its axis, and dry the tissue that gets exposed.
Patients will be asked to stare at a light; this light is not the laser pulse, but a normal light will helps keep the eye rooted to a single spot after the laser pulses are turned on.
Once the eye is in its proper position, the laser is started and it begins vaporizing corneal tissue. The laser is controlled by a computer and the amount of tissue that needs to be removed is pre-configured into the computer. After the laser pulses have done its job, the surgeon will place the flap back into its original position.
There is no stitching of the flap to help hold it in its place. Hence, after the surgery is over, a shield is place over the treated eye to protect it. The shield prevents the patient from accidently rubbing the eyes, avoiding accidental pokes or hits to the eye, and/or exerting pressure on the eyes when sleeping. The shield is kept in place for a minimum of 4 weeks till the flap heals fully.
After the surgery, it is important for patients to avoid non-contact sports for 3 days; eye makeup for 2 weeks; contact or vigorous sports for 4 weeks; and whirlpool, swimming, and hot tub for 8 weeks.
Lasik Aftercare and Recovery Time
Just after Lasik surgery is over, patients may experience itching or burning sensations in the eye, or as if some foreign matter is present in the eye. There may be watering or tearing in both the eyes. There may also be blurriness or haziness of vision. There may be mild discomfort, and mild pain may be present in some instances. The doctor may prescribe an OTC pain killer for easing the pain.
Patients will instinctively desire to rub their eyes and get rid of the irritation. However, you should refrain from doing so as it can displace the flap and result in additional treatment. Patients may additional suffer from photosensitivity, starbursts, glare, haloes near lights, and bloodshot or excessively red sclera (the whites of the eyes).
The above signs and symptoms normally become better to a great extent after a few days post Lasik surgery. If there is deterioration of any of the symptoms, or if severe pain is experience, the patients need to seek immediate medical attention.
It is important to consult the doctor within 24 to 48 hours after the operation. During the first visit, the surgeon will take out the eye shield, check the eye, and test the patient’s vision. Also, visits to the doctor must be made on a regular basis for a period of at least 6 months following the surgery.
- The doctor will prescribe different kinds of eye drops along with instructions of use. It has to be used by patients to avoid inflammation and/or infection. Doctors may also advise the use of artificial tears so as to maintain lubrication of the treated eye and prevent dry eyes. It is necessary to wash the hands before using the eye drops. It would be a better option if someone else other that you instilled the drops in the eye.
- Patients should not resume the use of contact lenses even when the vision is hazy or blurry.
- The operated eye is sensitive to light and hence sunglasses need to be worn for some days/weeks after Lasik surgery.
- Wear the protective goggles/eyewear suggested by doctor to protect the eyes from injuries when sleeping.
- Depending on your overall health and the level of physical activity needed, doctors will advise you on exercising, etc. It is important to wait for 1 to 3 days after Lasik surgery, before engaging in any kind of non-contact sports.
- Use of hot tubs or whirlpools as well as swimming should be avoided for 30 days to 2 months.
- Patients need to wait for 2 weeks or more, or as advised by the surgeon, before using eye-makeup and/or creams, lotions, etc around the area of the eyes. This will ensure that the risk to infection is minimized. Doctors may also recommend patients to keep scrubbing and cleaning their eyelashes, a few days after surgery to until a few weeks, to ensure that there is no debris in them.
- Patients need to wait for a minimum of 1 to 2 days before taking a shower and/or washing the hair. A sponge was is ok. It is important to take great care when washing the hair or face for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Also, ensure that soap, shampoo, and other such products do not reach the eye or areas around the eyes when washing/showering.
- Consult the doctor for the required time frame before you can begin reading, tanning, using a computer or a smartphone, and driving, etc. Use of sun beds must be avoided for at least 6 months post operation.
- Vigorous contact sports like football, boxing, judo, karate, etc., should be avoided for a period of 4 weeks or more post treatment. Contact sports may result in bumps, pokes, or hits to the operated eye and injure it; hence they need to be avoided till the time as advised by the doctor.
- Smoke can irritate the eye and cause eye distress/discomfort. This may increase the desire within patients to rub the eyes to ease the irritation. Hence, patients need to quit smoking and/or stop being around smokers.
- Avoid exposure to dust for at least 7 to 10 days after Lasik surgery. The eye requires a minimum of 9 to 10 days to heal and any contact with dust during this period may trigger an infection.
- The vision will probably fluctuate for 30 to 90 days post surgery. The vision may stabilize only after 3 to 6 months after Lasik. This period of stabilization of vision may be marked by haloes, glare, problems in nighttime driving, and other sight issues.
- In case, another improvement or correction is required, then the doctor will check the eye measurements for consistency. If the measurements remain consistent for 2 successive visits, which are a minimum of three months apart, then the doctor may go for the corrective re-operation.
- It may be noted that a re-operation will help improve distance vision, but other visual issues like haloes and glare may probably persist.
- Depending on the type of job they hold, patients can return to work in 2 to 3 days after Lasik surgery. It is advisable to consult the doctor about the rest period before joining work.
- Wait for a minimum of ten days (for eye healing) before going on a vacation. It is however advisable to postpone all holidays for a period of 3 months as doing so will ensure that you are near your doctor in case of any emergencies that may arise.
