Laser eye surgery is an effective and surprisingly quick procedure, but that isn’t the only positive thing to shout out about this. It also makes an impressively dramatic difference to the lives of thousands of people every single day who have this surgery. With that being said, here is a concise guide to laser eye surgery so you can fully understand the ins and outs of this before you go on this life-changing journey.
How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?
With laser eye surgery being one of the quickest operations performed of them all (a typical procedure takes around twenty minutes from start to finish), it is no wonder that so many people, for myriad reasons, elect to book such a procedure.
Essentially, laser eye surgery works by removing excess and unwanted tissue, be that a cataract or not, from the middle layer by first creating a flap to access the eye and then by working to reshape the cornea.
Before the Surgery
The most reputable, renowned, and best laser eye surgery staff will talk you through every step of the procedure on the day of your surgery. Typically, you will be asked to arrive around half an hour before the allotted time of your surgery itself, and importantly, as you may well be in a little discomfort when you leave the clinic, it is strongly advisable to have somebody you trust to drive you there and then take you home. You should be back to driving within 24 hours but not directly after your surgery.
Other tips to prepare for your laser eye surgery include:
- Drink a large glass of fresh water before you leave
- Do not wear your contact lenses for at least a week before surgery
- Wear something comfortable
- Read everything you are given thoroughly and make sure you understand it all
When you are admitted into the room where the procedure will be performed, your surgeon will administer eye drops, which will numb the eye and the area around it.
The Surgery Itself
During the surgical procedure, you will be asked to lie comfortably on the bed, whereby your eye will be held open gently, and the instruments needed will be lined up and checked by the surgeon.
You will then be required to stare straight forward into a specially designed light, and the surgery will begin. Professional and established eye clinics only use the highest quality equipment and, indeed, innovative laser systems to ensure that the procedure is quick and painless.
After Your Laser Eye Surgery
Immediately after your laser eye surgery, you will be given detailed instructions by the surgeon or the aftercare nurse on how to look after your eye and the surrounding area while it heals.
Ensure you follow these instructions to the letter and always use the eye drops and other medications they give you properly and take them at the correct times each day. In the first few days after the procedure, make sure you do not engage in any particularly strenuous activity and rest your eyes and body.
It is incredibly important to avoid getting any dirt, dust, or any other debris anywhere near your eye during this time, so you must avoid activities such as running and gardening.
