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I. INTRODUCTION:

Congratulations! You have just joined over 1 million patients in the US alone who have had successful Laser Vision Correction (LVC)! Soon after your procedure, you'll be on your way to seeing better without glasses or contacts!

This information is designed to help you prepare for what may be the most remarkable experience in your life: restoring your natural eyesight!

We have found that his patients who do best during Laser Vision Correction and see best results afterwards are the ones who understand the procedure, and directions.

It is understandable to feel a little nervous, and even a little excited. Following our simple instructions will help you feel relaxed!

II. PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:

Dress in comfortable clothing for your procedure. For women, remove your eye makeup extra thoroughly the night before, and do not wear any eye makeup the day of your procedure. You may eat whatever you want, and take your regular medications.

Do not wear your contacts before your LVC procedure! Contacts may warp the cornea, and interfere with a perfect result. Soft contact lens wearers should not wear their lenses for 3-7 days before. Hard and RGP contacts should not be worn for 10-21 days.

Clean your eyelids and lashes with a hot compress and mild soap, like Baby Shampoo for 3 days prior to your LASIK. This will make the eyes as clean as possible before your surgery.

Bring a companion on the day of your LVC, perhaps a friend or family member interested in LASIK, themselves. Although you will be able to see much better immediately after your LVC than you do without glasses, it will take you a few days to achieve clear vision. Therefore, it is not recommended that you drive yourself home after LVC. Tell the person you bring that they may watch the procedure. This will make it more interesting for them, especially if they wear glasses, too!

You will be given prescription eye drops. After your LVC, you will be instructed you how to take these drops.

III. THE PROCEDURE:

Please arrive on time for your LVC! There may be some waiting, but it is better to arrive a bit early.

You may have further testing done just before your LVC, such as corneal topography (a color map of the front surface of your eye) or pachymetry (a measurement of corneal thickness). You will not be given any injections or general anesthesia for your LVC. Your eye will, however, be totally numbed with anesthetic drops. You can request a small dose of Valium if you are nervous when you check in to help calm you down.

The most important thing you can do to ensure a good result is to keep your head and eye still during the procedure.

You will be given at least 3 sets of numbing drops before LVC, plus additional drops during the procedure. You will feel no pain during your LVC.

During the procedure, a lid speculum will help keep your eyes open. Please open your eyes as wide as possible, even if it hurts a little, as this makes the procedure easier.

Your eye lids will be cleaned, the laser will be tuned and calibrated the laser. Get used to the snapping sound of the laser. It is normal to smell a slight burning sensation during laser operation.

During LASIK, a suction ring will be placed on your eye. Then, the microkeratome will be used to create the corneal flap. It is normal for you to feel some pressure during this part, but no pain. Your vision will go dim or black during this step, do not be alarmed.

Then the laser will be used to precisely reshape your cornea. Basically, the laser is putting your eyeglass prescription directly onto your eye! To properly center the laser treatment, it is very important that you look at the center blinking green or red light, and don't move. If you move a little, we can follow your movements or pause the procedure without a problem.

The total time of the laser treatment is about 1 minute for most people,
slightly more if you are very nearsighted or if you are farsighted.

Hold still for 5 minutes per eye, and lie down for 15 minutes, and you're done!

IV. AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

You will be given a set of eye drops after the procedure to start you on your way.

Take 2 Motrin/Advil/ibuprofen the night after the procedure for comfort and to prevent inflammation.

For PRK and for a LASIK enhancement, a bandage contact lens may also be placed. This is a thin soft contact lens without any power, that helps your eye heal and feel more comfortable.

V. POSTOPERATIVE CARE:

It is perfectly normal for your eye to have some discomfort, tear, redness, and for the vision to be blurry for a few days after LVC. Every day, these symptoms should get better, as will your vision.

If you notice any increase in symptoms or decrease in vision, you must make an appointment.

In an emergency only, you may page the Doctor at 812-467-3937. Try to do this during daytime hours, if at all possible. If you are unable to reach the Doctor, please go to
the nearest Emergency Room and ask them to page the eye doctor on call.

You should use artificial tears 4x/day whenever your eye feels dry or irritated for the first few weeks after your LVC. You will be also be taking prescription eye drops:

After your LASIK, you will be given the following eye drops to take:

1. Antibiotic (Ocuflox, Ciloxan, etc.) - 4x/day until it runs out.

2. Steroid (Alrex, Lotemax, PredForte, PredMild, FML, etc.) - Every hour while awake for 24 hours, then 4x/day until bottle runs out (usually in 1-2 weeks).

Do not rub your eyes after the procedure for the first few days! This is especially important, as the LASIK flap has to fully heal. If you need to wipe your eye after drops, blot gently!

Do not swim, use hot tubs, or get water in your eye for 1 week after LVC. You may do all your other normal activities, including reading and flying in a plane.

Use sunglasses with 100% UV block for 1 month after PRK or LASIK! Also avoid tanning beds.

Do not get pregnant for 3 months after surgery (to avoid refractive changes).

Keep your follow-up appointments.

VI. CONCLUSION:

Thank you for choosing me as your LVC specialist.
I appreciate your trust, and promise to provide you with my best care.
I hope to be able to help you see 20/20 after your LASIK.