Before the
surgery, local anesthetic (numbing) drops will be placed into the
eye to be treated and you will be escorted into the room with the
laser. You will lie on your back in a reclining chair and look up.
An instrument will be placed between your eyelids to hold them open
during the surgery. There will also be a temporary shield covering
the eye not having surgery. You will be asked to listen to the
sounds of the treatment so you will be prepared for the noise that
the laser makes during the surgery.
The surgery begins with the placement of a suction ring that
elevates the pressure in the eye. The vision in the eye will go
black as the suction increases the pressure in the eye. The movement
of the microkeratome in the track of the suction ring cuts a
circular corneal flap. The doctor will lift this flap of tissue
after the suction is released. Vision will return to the eye after
suction is released.
The doctor will then
reposition your head in the chair and refocus the microscope. You
will be asked to look directly at a blinking light while the laser
is running. It is important to fix your gaze on the light for the
entire laser procedure. Try to open both eyes without squinting, as
this makes it easier to keep looking at the light. Small amounts of
tissue will then be removed from your cornea using the VISX STAR S4
Excimer laser system.
PRECAUTION: It is very important
that you keep looking at the light during the entire procedure, even
if the light fades or becomes dim. You need to concentrate on
looking at this light throughout the entire treatment to ensure best
results possible.
Typically, the laser
beam will be applied to your eye less then 1 minute and, overall,
the surgery may last about 10 minutes.
After the laser
surgery is complete, some eye drops may be placed on your eye. The
surgery is painless because of the anesthetic drop. When the
anesthetic wears off your eye may hurt moderately for 1 to 2 days.
The discomfort is typically described as "a sandy sensation." Your
doctor can prescribe pain medication to make you more comfortable
during this time after the surgery. To promote healing and lessen
the risk of infection do NOT
rub your eye after surgery.
