Laser eye surgery is the most liberating method of eye correction, allowing you to completely abandon glasses or contact lenses, but like any medical procedure, it requires careful preparation.
According to Vaiva Belte, a microsurgeon at Lirema Eye Clinic, the patient should think about the five most important things before coming to the consultation.
1. Consultation with a specialist
The first step is a consultation with an eye specialist with years of experience in this field.
“During the consultation, the condition of the patient’s eyes is assessed, expectations are discussed, and it is determined whether the patient is a suitable candidate for this procedure or whether it will be completely safe,” he says. V. Belte.
According to the doctor, before coming to the consultation, the patient should think about what eye or other related diseases he has had or is prone to, what medications he used or is currently using, what diopters of eyeglasses or lenses he wears, what kind of vision he would expect after the procedure.
“It is important for the patient to cooperate with the specialist during the consultation – to provide accurate information. Otherwise, for example, by concealing other diseases that may affect the healing period of the eyes, it will not be so smooth, and the result will not meet expectations,” warns the microsurgeon.
2. Rejection of contact lenses
If the patient wears contact lenses, replacing them with eyeglasses at least one week before the procedure is important.
“Contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea so that test results can be inaccurate. By not wearing contact lenses for a while, we can ensure that the patient is not prone to diseases like keratoconus, and laser eye correction will be completely safe,” V. Belte shares his experience.
According to the microsurgeon, although this is not a typical case, it is essential to assess all safety factors.
3. Assessment of health status
On the day of the procedure, the patient must be completely healthy, not sick, not coughing, not having a fever, not having cold sores (herpes), etc.
“If you feel symptoms of illness, inflammation in the body or other health problems, it is necessary to inform the clinic or the doctor who will operate on you. Health conditions such as diabetes, disorders of the immune system or some eye diseases can affect the result of the procedure and the patient’s recovery period,” the specialist says.
4. Preparation for the procedure
According to the doctor, you should not use cosmetics around the eyes on the day of the procedure, including creams, make-up and perfume.
“It is very important that the patient arrives prepared for the procedure so that the staff does not have to spend extra time cleaning off make-up residues or airing the room from perfumes. The technologies used during the operation are sensitive, and they respond to minimal changes in the space. If the safe limits of the procedure are exceeded, they may turn off, and the operation will not be performed,” says V. Belte.
According to her, although the procedure is a life-changing event, it is also necessary to dress comfortably, not beautifully, so that the patient’s movements are not restricted, it would be comfortable to lie on the back.
5. Postoperative care and recovery
After the procedure, it is important to follow the doctor’s post-operative care instructions and come to the post-operative examination at the scheduled time.
“During the first days after the operation, discomfort or dryness may be felt. Special eye drops and artificial tears will be prescribed for faster eye healing,” says the specialist.
According to her, it is important not to rub the eyes and avoid intense physical activity and direct sunlight in the early postoperative period. When you feel better, you can do light stretching exercises, but it’s important not to get sweat in your eyes.
Laser eye surgery can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life, but responsible preparation and careful postoperative care are necessary for an excellent result.
Find out whether laser eye surgery is available for you online.