Many people’s vision can become impaired due to various factors. There is now a great opportunity to address this problem with laser correction. Such a procedure is highly effective, but often comes with excitement and many questions for people. Patients want to know and understand the medical aspects of the procedure and real-life experiences - before, during and after surgery.
Modern technology has made LASIK one of the safest and most predictable procedures in eye care. However, the patient’s personal experience begins long before he or she is in surgery. If you are considering the option of having LASIK in Naples, then be sure to study the entire route beforehand. We’ll explain how the preparation, operation and recovery process work. This will help you feel confident at every step.
Start before sunrise, how to prepare in the week leading up to LASIK
LASIK is a popular and safe laser eye surgery. Many people have LASIK to correct astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. It involves the use of a microkeratome (or femtosecond laser) to make a rosacea flap and an excimer laser to shape it. This allows for better focusing of light on the retina.
In fact, the preparation for LASIK begins a few days before the scheduled surgery. The doctor makes all necessary recommendations, which should be strictly followed:
- avoid wearing contact lenses 5-7 days beforehand;
- do not apply makeup to or around your eyes;
- do not use eye creams;
- limit alcohol consumption.
This will help the cornea of the eye to regain its original shape and to make an exact diagnosis.
Furthermore, it is essential to arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery (you will not be able to drive), to have suitable sunglasses and also to take time off work for recuperation.
Walking into the clinic, what happens when you arrive at Frantz EyeCare
On the day of surgery, thanks to the smooth organisation of the processes at the Frantz EyeCare clinic, it all goes very smoothly. The patient is greeted by doctors and a pre-surgery check is conducted:
- data confirmation;
- repeat vision measurement;
- step-by-step explanation of the procedure;
- answers to important questions.
Then the patient is administered pain-killing drops in the eyes, which guarantee a pain-free surgery.
Prior to entering the operating room, protective clothing, a hat and a guide to how to behave in the operating room are required. All steps of the procedure are designed so that the patient in Frantz EyeCare feels calm and confident.
Inside the laser suite, what you see, hear, and feel during LASIK
The most common question for patients is what a person feels during a laser correction procedure. In fact, LASIK lasts only a few minutes for each eye. The patient is fully conscious and lying on a special comfortable couch.
- What you will see. You can see a bright light or a pinpoint when the laser is on it. Blurred contours will also appear during the procedure;
- What will you hear. The LASIK machine works quite quietly, so all you will hear is a quiet sound. Of course, you will also hear and understand what the medical team is saying;
- What will you feel. A person feels a slight pressure on their eyes when exposed to the laser. There is no pain due to the painkilling droplets and gentle LASIK.
In some cases, short-term feelings of discomfort may occur and pass very quickly. The most important thing is to strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and stay calm.
The first twenty-four hours, what recovery is honestly like for most patients
For having LASIK in Naples, it is worth considering that the first day after the operation will be the most critical. At that time you might have the following symptoms:
- burning and dryness in the eyes;
- increased sensitivity to light;
- a feeling of "grit" in the eyes;
- mild discomfort when blinking.
This is a natural response to laser eye correction. And the LASIK technology is as safe as possible.
To treat these unpleasant symptoms, the doctor may advise you to use lubricants, anti-inflammatory medicines and rest.
It's important you don't lose your sight for the first 24 hours, don't look at bright screens and rest. It often takes a few hours for people to notice an improvement in their vision. But remember it takes time to stabilise.
The first month, how your eyes keep healing after life has gone back to normal
Your vision will continue to recover and stabilize for a month after laser correction. Therefore, you should expect that the dryness of the eyes will decrease markedly and the clarity of the image will increase. In addition, the body will gradually adapt to change.
With such positive dynamics after LASIK, a progressive return to everyday activities, such as working, driving and playing sports, is possible.
But in the initial month it's necessary to follow simple instructions: use eye drops, attend a clinic's check-up and avoid exposure of eyes to strong light.
Despite the fact that you feel your vision is back to normal, never forget that the "work" of healing continues in your eye.
When to call your surgeon: signs that deserve quick follow-up
LASIK is a relatively safe procedure. But even so, it is vital to know when to see a doctor:
- severe, stabbing pain in the eyes;
- sudden deterioration in vision;
- severe redness of the eyes;
- unusual discharge.
Such symptoms are rare with laser correction, but still possible and require special attention.
It is almost always a painless recovery if you do what your doctor tells you. You have to wait and you have to keep in touch with the doctor.
LASIK is a fast and efficient method of restoring your vision, but it never hurts to be well informed. The more you know about what to expect, the better the surgery and recovery will be.
