Am I suitable?
This can only be ascertained at a preop consultation which includes a full eye examination and careful anaylsis of eye structure, ideally this should be carried out by the eye surgeon who will be performing the procedure. Good health, a stable eye prescription and being aged over 21 are all recommended.
I can see fine in the distance but need reading glasses,can surgery help me?
If you require spectacles for reading only, the laser eye surgery is unlikely to be the best option but you can undergo CK Treatment to correct your reading/close vision problems.
How successful is laser eye surgery?
Over 90 % of patients who receive wavefront laser eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better. And the same percentage of patients are 'satisfied' with the overall results.
Is the treatment permanent?
NO. your eye will change naturally due to ageing which will necessitate a reading correction in later life. Some 3% of patients require follow up enhancement surgery within one year. There will be changes in your eye in the future after surgery which may require spectacles or contact lenses to be worn.
What is the overall risk of something going badly wrong?
As with all surgery no procedure is completely risk free. A very small percentage < 1% of patients have persistent post operative complications which can include glare, hazy vision, dry eye and other problems. The chances of post-op complications are considerably reduced if using an experienced surgeon, clinical team and the latest techniques. As with all surgery no procedure is completely risk free.
Does the treatment hurt?
No as local anaesthetic eye drops are usedthe procedure is painless. There may be some slight discomfort for up to 48 hours post surgery.
How long does surgery take?
A pre-op exam normally 1-2 hours. The actual procedure takes 15-20 min. but normally the patient would wait in the clinic approx. 2 hours after surgery.
What is the age limit?
There is no upper age limit as long as your eye precription is stable and you are in good general health. The lower age limit is usually 21 and the eye prescription MUST be stable for at least one year (preferably longer)
Why can I see blood vessels on my eyes after the PRK surgery?
The blood vessels appear as a natural side effect of the eye drops given before the surgery; they will spontaneously disappear within 1 or 2 days.
How long does it take for the epithelium removed after the PRK surgery to be restored?
The first layer of epithelial cells will be restored in 3-4 days, that is how long the uncomfortable period with the feeling of a foreign body in the eyes and in some cases, pain, lasts. The next 2-3 layers of cells will be restored in 3-4 weeks.
Why do I need a protective contact lens after PRK surgery, and what should I do if it falls out of the treated eye?
After the PRK surgery, the surface of the cornea has no epithelial layer, its nerve endings are in direct contact with the environment. The contact lens covers the nerve endings, and allows you to open your eyes. If the lens falls out, you should not replace it, because it may cause infection, if it is not sterilely placed in the eye. If this happens, try to keep your treated eye closed until the next check-up, because the movement of the eyelids may erode newly built epithelial cells and extend the recovery period.
How long does the effect of the anaesthetic eye drops lasts after PRK surgery?
The effect lasts for about 3-4 hours, after which, depending on individual sensitivity, you may feel like there is a foreign body in your eye, or even experience pain. Taking oral painkillers helps ease these symptoms. The discomfort disappears when epithelialization is complete. The first night is usually the worst, and afterwards, symptoms gradually wane.
How important is it to use the Ciloxam eye drops every 2-3 hours at home after PRK surgery?
Ciloxan is an antibiotic drug, which protects the eye from infections. Even if you do not have any symptoms, eye drops must be continued, because otherwise, severe cornea inflammation may develop. Usually, sleeping on the first and second nights is restless. If you awake, use the eye drops in your treated eye. This should also be the first thing you do in the morning.
What should I do if serious pain develops in the first or the second day after PRK surgery?
Pain usually lasts 3-4 days, for the period of epithelialization. If the character of the pain changes, please notify your doctor, because it may mean that foreign material (like dust) got under the lens.
How will the clarity of my sight change after PRK surgery?
1-2 hours after PRK surgery, the cornea will quiet down, and vision through the contact lens will be significantly clearer than it used to be. Afterwards, as epithelialization begins, vision clarity will decrease again, because of the thin, irregular first cell layer, sometimes, double vision may also appear.
Why can I see blood vessels or bleeding on my conjunctiva after IntraLASIK surgery?
The blood vessels appear as a natural side effect of the eye drops given before the surgery; they will spontaneously disappear within 1 or 2 days. The vacuum used during the surgery may cause smaller cornea bleeding, which will diappear within a few days.
How important is it to use the prescribed eye drops at home after IntraLASIK surgery?
Usually the first night's sleep is restless; if you are awake, use the eye drops in the treated eye. This should also be the first thing you do in the morning. The eye drops protect the eye from infections and inflammation.
How will the clarity of my sight change after IntraLASIK surgery?
When you get home after the surgery, you should get a few hours'sleep. By the evening, your sight will be clearer.
The advantage of IntraLASIK procedure is that your vision will continuously and rapidly improve after the surgery. Vision clarity will stabilize at the 3rd or 4th week, and you may experience some smaller changes in the first 2 months.
How long do I have to avoid strong sunlight and wear sunglasses after the IntraLASIK surgery?
After the IntraLASIK surgery, the refraction of the cornea will stabilize in 1-3 months. During this period, UV radiation is very harmful and may compromise the outcome of the treatment. If UV radiation hits corneal cells, they try to recreate the pre-surgery - faulty - structure of the cornea. That is why we ask you that for your own sake, please avoid strong sunlight for at least 3 months, and if possible, avoid tanning beds for at least six months.
