Preparing for Your Laser Eye Operation
After youve found a reliable doctor with solid references and recommendations from friends and family, you should begin to make some preparations for your laser eye procedure. Laser eye surgery is a very common procedure today and 80% of those who undergo it never have to wear corrective lenses again. Following a few tips can help to raise that level of success and make the operation comfortable for yourself.
The first thing to be prepared for is being able to cover the expense of your procedure. Laser eye operations aren’t cheap. The doctor will be asking for anywhere from several hundreds or thousands of dollars for his work. If you can pay up front, the doctor will be happy to continue through the initial examination to the actual surgery. Some doctors even have a payment plan option that splits up the fees into 3 or 4 payments. Ask your doctor for details on financing and payment options. You should also be aware that after the surgery, it is recommended to take a few days off from work. If you dont have any paid leave available, be prepared to lose 2 or 3 days pay due to not working. Ensuring that you are prepared and able to cover the cost of the surgery will help eliminate any extra stress at the time of your procedure. It can also help you avoid spending unnecessary time at consultations if you aren’t in a position where you can cover the cost of the procedure through insurance or your own finances.
You’re My Better Half
Next, if you wear contact lenses, you will generally be asked to discontinue using them for 2 or 3 weeks prior to your initial appointment. Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea and bring blood vessels to the surface of the eye. Both of these situations may hamper or delay the laser surgery. Before the laser operation, eyes will be checked with a thorough eye exam. At this time, the doctor should also discuss the risks and benefits involved with your particular type of eye surgery. If you understand and agree to the terms, go ahead and sign the consent forms. Be sure to check with your surgeon for complete instructions relevant to your individual type of surgery. Your eye surgeon will be able to determine any additional specific things you need to do.
The day before surgery, patients are typically told to stop using any types of lotions, creams, or perfumes. If any of these foreign substances are present, the risk of infection grows greatly. Some doctors give specific instructions on how to wash or scrub the areas of the face around the eyes for the days prior to the surgery. Follow these directions for best results.
On the day of the surgery, you should have someone who can drive you to the doctors office and return you home when finished. A follow-up may be needed the next day and you will need a driver at this time also. It can take a few days to a few weeks for the eyes to adjust after the procedure. Directly after the laser eye operation, there will be some pain and discomfort but an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil is usually enough to take care of it. Ask your eye doctor for specific instructions. After most procedures, your eyes will feel like something is in them. It is only a feeling and you must resist any urges to wipe or rub your eyes. Most doctors will provide an eye shield to help prevent any disturbances. The shield will have to be worn for a few days up to a few weeks.
After the surgery, many surgeons recommend that you not wear make-up for two weeks. You may also be told to avoid sports and strenuous physical activity for three weeks. You will have to refrain from swimming or immersing yourself in water for eight weeks after most laser eye surgeries. After this, it may still be three to six months before your eyes are totally healed. Each type of procedure is different and your eye surgeon can provide you with more customized details of what to expect with your specific procedure. Overall, the most important thing is to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. He or she will best know your individual situation and can give you customized recommendations pertaining to your procedure