Post Refractive Eye Surgery Instructions
About the surgery
Refractive eye surgeries are ambulatory procedures that are performed on a walk-in, walk-out basis. The actual surgery generally takes only 15 minutes.
The most common types are LASIK, Trans-epithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (TPRK) and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
You will be awake during the procedure, but your eye surgeon may give you a mild oral sedative to help you relax. Both procedures are performed under topical anesthesia.
The decision of which type of surgery to perform is made as per the discussion with your doctors. PRK recovery takes longer than TPRK & LASIK recovery. It may take days or a couple of weeks before your eyesight improves, and even longer for your vision to stabilize.
Most patients usually can resume driving a car one week after surgery, but it can take three to six months before vision is completely clear and stable.
Immediately after refractive surgery, your vision will be extremely clear for several minutes. As your eye begins to respond to the procedure, you need to go home to rest.
Your eyes will be very sensitive to light, that is why you need to wear a mask or thick sunglasses to protect them right after the procedure.
Daily fluctuation in your vision is very normal during the first few months, even from morning to evening. The most dramatic change in vision occurs in the first 24 hours. Some observe haze, halos, glare and vision changes that continue to improve over 3-6 months.
What you are likely to experience after the procedure?
Mild or moderate tearing from both eyes is common and can differ from one eye to the other on the day of treatment. In PRK, mild or moderate pain will be there on the day of treatment.
In PRK, mild or moderate pain will be there on the day of treatment
Foreign body sensation or irritation in the eyes.
Occasional appearance of small red spots on the white surface of both eyes.
Sensitivity to bright light.
Dos
Apply your eye drops according to the prescription.
Clean your eyelid margins from the day after your treatment.
Blink your eyes gently and frequently on the day of treatment.
You can watch TV, use mobile phones and computers, read books and have normal food from the day after your treatment.
Use sunglasses when you go out and apply plastic shields while sleeping for 2 weeks.
Don'ts
Do not expose your eyes to dust.
Do not touch or rub your eye.
Do not take head bath or splash water into the eye and face for 2 weeks.
Do not keep your eyes open for a long duration.
Do not clean the eye on the day of your treatment.
Do not swim for one month.
Do not use eyeliner for one month.
Avoid exercises for 1 week.
Avoid self-driving for 1 week.
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