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Before Surgery

Contact Lenses

  • If you have traditional soft contact lenses, remove them 3 days prior to surgery.
  • If you have soft toric contact lenses, remove them 2 weeks prior to surgery.
  • If you use gas permeable or hard contact lenses, discontinue their use 1 month prior to surgery.

Vitamin C

  • Take 1000mg of Vitamin C (any brand) beginning 7 days before surgery and six weeks after surgery.

Driver

  • A driver is mandatory to take you from your surgery and to go to and from your 1-day postoperative visit.

Time Planning

  • Plan on being in the facility for 2 hours from the time you arrive. Feel free to use your phone before surgery but you can’t bring it in with you during the procedure.

Supplemental Medications

  • Medrol Dosepak™ – fill the prescription at the pharmacy and bring with you to surgery. Take 3 of the pills for “day one” after you’ve checked in at the center.  The remaining 3 pills for “day one” must be taken later that evening at home.  Follow the package instructions for the remaining pills.
  • TheraTears Gel Caps – begin taking as soon as possible and plan to continue for at least 3 months after surgery. Take one pill in the AM and one pill in the PM each day.
Other Medications

  • Bring your eye drops and a list of your medications with you to your operative visit.
  • You will be provided a mild sedative (ex: Valium) to help you relax during the procedure and a Tylenol PM to help you rest afterwards.

Dress Code

  • Dress comfortably.
  • Bring layers as the treatment area will be cold.
  • Do not wear any perfume, cologne, hairspray or after-shave on the day of your procedure.
  • ABSOLUTELY NO EYE MAKEUP OR FOUNDATION ON SURGERY DAY.
  • The evening before the procedure, soak the eye with a warm wash cloth to remove all eye make-up.

Follow up Visits  

  • We will see you 4 – 5 days after surgery to remove your BCL (bandage contact lens) and will perform a complete examination (with dilation) at 3 months after surgery.
  • All of your subsequent follow up visits are with one of our optometrists unless it is necessary to see the surgeon.

After Surgery

Behavior: 

  • Remain quiet the evening of surgery.
  • A 2 to 3-hour nap is highly recommended immediately after the procedure. If unable to sleep, eyes should be kept closed for 4 hours to improve comfort and help initiate the healing process. You can increase activity as your comfort and vision allows.

Discomfort:

  • It is normal to experience excessive tearing and eye irritation which can be severe on the day of surgery and possibly for several days afterwards.
  • Over the counter medication may be taken to relieve discomfort.
  • The second post-operative day is often when the most significant discomfort occurs and when the vision is at its lowest level.

Light Sensitivity:       

  • You may experience light sensitivity and/or glare around bright lights at night during the first couple of weeks following surgery.

Dryness:

  • It is also normal to experience dryness in your eyes after surgery.
  • Dryness can persist for many months following PRK.
  • Use Preservative-Free Artificial Tears at least 4 times a day for the first several months and more often when looking at a screen for prolonged periods.

Eyelid Swelling:

  • Some patients may experience eyelid swelling on the first day after surgery.
  • The Medrol Dosepack will help.
  • You can also use icepacks over the affected eye to reduce swelling.

Special Precautions:

  • Patients typically do not feel comfortable driving until at least 6 or 7 days following the procedure. Your vision may fluctuate significantly for the first several weeks so use good judgment.
  • No make-up, lotions, hairspray, or aftershave for 4 days after surgery. After, use extreme caution when applying or removing eye make-up.
  • Sleep in the provided goggles or shields for 1 week.
  • Be careful when showering. No direct water in the eye(s) for 2 weeks.
  • No swimming for 2 weeks after surgery.
  • DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES FOR 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY.
  • Use caution when participating in contact sports so as to prevent being hit in the eye.
  • Do not travel out of town for 1 week after surgery.
  • WEAR SUNGLASSES FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY WHEN OUTDOORS TO PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM SUNLIGHT.

Medications
It is important to follow the instructions below. Any prescription medication can have severe side effects if used other than prescribed. Use each eye drop during waking hours. For each dose, dispense one drop in each eye that underwent surgery. Wait at least 5 minutes between each different medication. Drops may sting for a few seconds.DO NOT squeeze your eyes.

  • Vigamox (Antibiotic, Tan top) – 1 Drop twice on night of surgery (once when you wake up from nap and once before you go to bed). Following day, 1 drop 3 times a day for 7 Days.
  • Lotemax (Anti-Inflammatory, Pink top) – Starting the day after surgery, 1 drop four times a day for one month. Then, 1 drop 2 times a day for one week. Then, 1 drop once a day for one week.
  • Medrol Dosepack – Take 3 of the pills for “day one” after you’ve checked in at the center. Take the remaining 3 pills for “day one” later that evening at home. Follow the package instructions for the remaining pills.
  • Preservative-Free Artificial Tears – 1 drop 4 times a day for a month. Start the day after surgery. Refills available over the counter. We recommend stocking up for at least three months after surgery.