What to Expect Before and After LASIK Eye Surgery
The experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to share what you can expect before and after LASIK eye surgery. In LASIK, your ophthalmologist will create a corneal flap using a minimally invasive laser treatment to correct any vision problems you may be having. Though the LASIK eye surgery success rate is 96% and is effective in more than a majority of patients, it is still a good idea to educate yourself on the surgery’s procedures so that you can be as well informed as possible.
The LASIK before and after results can be life-changing for individuals who need glasses, contact lenses, or other correctional devices to see clearly.
Before LASIK eye surgery
The evaluation exam
Before a doctor can recommend LASIK eye surgery as an option for your vision problems, you will need to undergo a thorough evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK.
If you wear contact lenses, your doctor will recommend that you stop wearing them for a few days prior to your baseline evaluation and wear your glasses instead. Why? As a part of the exam, a digital 3D map of your eye will be made to design a custom treatment for each of your eyes. Contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea, which can lead to inaccurate measurements and a poor surgical plan. These measurements help the surgeon decide how much corneal tissue needs to be removed in order to fix your vision problems, so remember to take them out if you wear contact lenses!
Procedure preparations
Before the surgery begins, you will be given numbing eye drops to prevent any pain and will be offered anti-anxiety sedatives to reduce any pre-surgery jitters and nervousness (if you so desire). This is to ensure that you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Once the surgeon is ready to begin, you will be seated comfortably underneath the laser’s microscope and a device called a speculum will be gently placed on your eyelids to prevent unnecessary blinking. Don’t worry, this device is situated comfortably and will feel painless. The LASIK procedure should last for about 30 minutes or less.
After LASIK eye surgery
Here is what to expect after LASIK eye surgery.
Post-surgery
When the surgery is complete, you will be put in an examination room where you will relax for about 10-20 minutes. During the procedure, you will be given a mild sedative and your vision will be blurry following the procedure, so it is incredibly important that you find someone to drive you home after your LASIK eye surgery.
Please note that Eye Center of Texas cannot release you to a taxi driver, Uber, or Lyft driver. We want to ensure that our patients get home safely, so find someone trustworthy to take you home.
Recovery
Rest is key for the first few hours after your LASIK surgery. At a minimum, you should get 2-4 hours of rest once you return home from the facility. Don’t schedule any parties or social gatherings for that night –– get as much rest as you can! While you’re resting, wear an eye mask over your eyes to block out dust and debris and to avoid rubbing them –– rubbing your eyes can reopen the corneal flap as it heals. It is also beneficial to take a few days off of work so that you can focus on resting and letting your eyes heal completely before returning to normal activity.
How long does LASIK flap take to heal? Your corneal flap begins healing immediately after the procedure. It will be mostly healed 24 hours after your procedure. You may not notice improvements in your vision until a week after the surgery. In the meantime, here are some ways to ensure a safe and healthy recovery post-LASIK:
- Do not do any vigorous exercises or activities
- Do not shower, swim, or get water near your eyes for the first 24 hours post-op
- Do not wear contact lenses while your vision is blurry (you shouldn’t need them anymore, anyway!)
- Do not wear makeup, perfumes, or apply any creams to your face
- Take any prescribed medications and use the preservative-free eye drops after LASIK to keep irritation and inflammation at bay
We recommend waiting at least two weeks before resuming any of these activities to ensure the best results.
Side effects
Here are some common LASIK eye surgery side effects:
- Blurry vision
- Dry or itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Bloodshot eyes
- Mild discomfort
- Sensitivity to light
If you are experiencing severe pain or these symptoms do not subside after a few days, contact your doctor immediately for an evaluation.
The lasting effect
How long does LASIK last? LASIK lasts a lifetime. Studies show that 94% of patients were satisfied with their surgery results and did not have to go back to wearing glasses or contact lenses afterward.
You will want to do regular checkups for at least six months after the surgery to ensure the surgery was a success.
Eye Center of Texas Will Take Care of You Before and After LASIK Eye Surgery
Now that you have a better idea of what happens before and after LASIK eye surgery, you can decide whether or not LASIK is right for you.
If you’re searching for a top LASIK surgeon in Houston, look no further than Eye Center of Texas. Our surgeons have performed over 75,000 successful LASIK eye surgeries that have not only improved our patients’ vision but improved their quality of life.
If you have any other questions regarding the LASIK before and after process, contact us to speak to a specialist today.
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
Pasadena
4415 Crenshaw RoadPasadena, TX 77504
Medical Office:
281-977-8800
Medical Fax:
281-977-8877
Sugar land
15400 S.W. Freeway, Suite 301Sugar Land, TX 77478
Medical Office:
281-277-1010
Medical Fax:
281-277-4504
Clear Lake
455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
Medical Fax:
281-282-9152
Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620
