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LASIK POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

:: Immediately After Surgery
Your most important goal following LASIK or IntraLASIK surgery is to keep your eyes extremely well lubricated for the first 24 hours. This decreases the friction between the surface of the eyelids and the flap as the newly created flaps’ adherence increases every hour during this critical healing period.

Immediately following LASIK surgery, you are instructed to keep your eyes closed for a minimum of 4 hours, this is especially important if you are not placed in bandage contact lenses overnight. Sleeping or resting comfortably with your eyes closed is preferred. This may make you more comfortable since you may experience irritation or burning and tearing. Tearing after surgery is beneficial since it lubricates and cleans the eyes’ surface. It is okay to open your eyes when ever you walk from room to room or to your car. While awake, you should use artificial tears if your eyes feel the least bit dry or irritated. Preservative free artificial tears such as Refresh eye drops are preferred. You may use tears as often as every few minutes if desired. Some patients with dry eyes may be placed on a schedule for taking their lubricating drops in this first 24 hour period.

You may use extra strength Tylenol to help alleviate this symptom and use the artificial tears, found in your bag, every 15 minutes. As alternatives, you may also use Advil, Aleve, Motrin or similar non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Keeping your eyes closed is the best prevention of pain. You will be given sleeping pills that you may take if you have difficulty sleeping. Clear plastic shields or goggles will be placed over the eyes prior to leaving the office. You must sleep in these shields for three (3) nights. They may be removed while awake. THE SHIELDS/GOGGLES MUST BE REPLACED PRIOR TO SLEEPING. DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES; IT COULD AFFECT YOUR SURGERY OUTCOME.

For the first 24 hours: avoid ceiling fans and squinting or squeezing of the eyes. Avoid heavy lifting in this period as well.

There is no restriction on showering, just keep your eyes closed. If you do get water in your eyes, and they are irritated, use some Refresh artificial tears eye drops to wash out your eyes.

MEDICINES
Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
Use Dalmane (for sleep) as directed.
These medicines are included in your post operative bag.
As an alternative to the Acetaminophen, you may take Advil, Aleve, Motrin, generic ibuprofen or other non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.

DROPS
You will be given instructions on how to use your artificial tears and postoperative drops. Please save the drops for future use as directed. These drops should be more than adequate for your needs. Should you lose them we will be happy to write you another prescription for more.

INTRALASIK PATIENTS SHOULD USE PRESERVATIVE FREE ARTIFICIAL TEARS THE DAY AND NIGHT OF SURGERY. THEY ALSO SHOULD USE ONE DROP OF PRED FORTE (steroid) IN EACH EYE TWO HOURS AFTER SURGERY AND FOUR HOURS AFTER SURGERY.

TRADITIONAL LASIK PATIENTS SHOULD ONLY USE PRESERVATIVE FREE ARTIFICIAL TEARS THE DAY AND NIGHT OF SURGERY.

FOLLOW-UP VISITS
You will be given an appointment time to be seen the day after surgery. This appointment will be scheduled between 8:30am and 11:30am. THIS IS A REQUIRED VISIT. Your next appointment will be scheduled for the week following your surgery. The doctor will let you know what day(s) he wants to see you the following week. Every time you come in thereafter, you will be told when to schedule your next visit.

If you are having any unusual problems, or if you have any questions between your appointments, please call the office. No question is too “dumb”. Our number is answered 24 hours per day. It would be appreciated if you confined after hours calls to emergencies, but do not hesitate to call if you need help. (214) 717-4027