THE LASIK PROCEDUREThis information is designed to help you to understand the operation itself as well as the aftercare required. If you know what to expect during the operation you should be more relaxed and able to assist in making the whole procedure much easier. The operation will be performed under topical anaesthetic (eye drops) as an outpatient at our purpose built operating theatre. We use a state of the art Bausch & Lomb Technolas® 217z ZyoptixT Excimer Laser. The laser operating room is precisely controlled for both temperature and humidity so light comfortable clothes are all you will require. We recommend you only have a light snack and drink well before the operation as anxiety and a full stomach may make you uncomfortable when lying flat. Before your LASIK Surgery
During the operationYou will then be taken into the laser surgical theatre where you will lie flat on a bed with your head under a microscope. Initially the light from the microscope may feel a little bright but your eyes will adjust quickly and you should feel no discomfort. Your eye and eyelids will then be cleaned with antiseptic and a sterile plastic drape will be used to cover your forehead, eyelids, eyelashes and cheek. To ensure you don’t blink during the procedure a metal speculum is used to hold your eyelids open wide. This will feel slightly tight but does not hurt. Once we are absolutely satisfied with your position the procedure will commence. The process is quite complex so we have a series of safety checks in place. You will hear me talking to the staff as well as to you. We will endeavour to talk to you during every stage of the procedure so you know precisely what to expect and what we would like you to do. You can also ask questions as we proceed. There are times when movement is not allowed and you will be asked to keep still and quiet. Step 1 A suction ring will be placed on your eye. This holds your eye steady and raises the pressure in the eye to enable the flap to be created. As the suction is applied you will hear a sucking sound and feel slight pressure then your vision should grey then black out. This is a good sign as it means that the pressure is correct for creating the flap. The microkeratome is attached to the suction ring and the flap created.
Step 2 If I am totally happy with the flap we can proceed to the laser reshaping. There are a few steps getting organised and setting the laser to track your eye movements, then the laser treatment commences. The computer controlling the laser divides the treatment into a number of fractions and I will be monitoring your eye and telling you how the treatment is progressing. The laser makes quite a loud noise and does smell a bit but is painless and over in about one minute.
Antibiotic drops are instilled and a clear plastic protective shield is applied. Often, despite the after effects of the microscope light and the shield you may see quite well immediately. After the surgeryOnce the anaesthetic wears off the eye will feel quite gritty and irritable for a few hours afterwards. You may find the best solution is to lie down and keep both eyes still and closed. It is imperative that the eye are not rubbed in the first week as this may cause the flap to be dislodged. Leave the protective shield undisturbed as it is best removed during your follow-up visit at the centre. You will notice your vision will fluctuate during the first night, however if there is severe pain along with reduced vision the flap may have been displaced and you should contact the centre immediately. Post Surgery >> |
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On the day of surgery our staff will greet you and prepare you for the operation. 
As the flap is created there is quite a loud vibrating buzz and it is much easier and safer if you do not squeeze your eye or move during the few seconds that this will take. The microkeratome and suction ring are removed. 
Step 3 On completion the flap is repositioned and washed with sterile saline. After about three minutes of drying the flap has adhered so the speculum and drape are removed. 