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The Day of
Surgery
LASIK
is performed at the Lipstock Laser Center at 10120 W. Broad Street, Suite E, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. [View Map]
Upon arrival you will be given a mild oral sedative to aid in relaxation and then anesthetic eye drops will be given. Next you will be brought into the laser room where you will lie face-up on a comfortable bed and your head will be positioned under the laser. Dr. Lipstock will be seated at the head of the bed viewing your eye through the laser microscope. A cloth drape with an opening in it for your eye will be placed over your face to keep the area sterile. Then a small plastic drape will be placed over your eyelids to keep your lashes out of the way. A small eyelid holder with a spring mechanism will be placed between your eyelids to gently hold them open during the treatment. You will see a red blinking light directly in front of you coming from the laser microscope. This is the laser fixation light. You are to look at the center of this red light throughout the procedure. At times it may appear pinpoint and at other times it may appear diffuse; just look at the center of this light.
The
microkeratome will next be used to create the protective corneal
flap. You will feel a pressure-like feeling for about 10 seconds
and during this time you won't see the microscope light. Then
the red blinking light will reappear. Once again you are to
look at the center of the red light. Dr. Lipstock will then
lift the flap which has a hinge on one side and folds it back
out of the way. He will then activate the laser tracking device
to assure the treatment will be well centered. The laser,
having been computer programmed for your optical correction,
will remove microscopic amounts of the underlying cornea in
order to eliminate your refractive error. As you view the
red light, which appears somewhat more diffuse at this stage
of the procedure, you will hear the clicking sound of the
laser when Dr. Lipstock activates the laser with a foot pedal.
Remember this laser does not burn or cut; it actually breaks
apart individual chemical bonds. You may even be able to smell
the corneal atoms being dispersed into the air (some patients
have described a burnt hair type of smell). As you fixate
on the red light the laser treatment is being centered on
your cornea. Dr. Lipstock's view of your eye through the laser
microscope has several concentric rings centered around your
pupil. If Dr. Lipstock sees you wondering off from the fixation
light he will take his foot off the laser pedal stopping the
laser treatment momentarily; he will allow you to realign
your fixation of the light and then proceed again with the
laser treatment. Even though the eye tracker will have the
laser follow your eye even if it moves it is best to try to
look at the center of the red fixation light. The laser treatment
usually takes about 30 seconds, so there is no need to rush.
In fact, Dr. Lipstock routinely stops the laser treatment
about every 10 seconds and asks you if you can see the fixation
light. Thus as you simply fixate on the center of the red
blinking light throughout the procedure, Dr. Lipstock is communicating
with you explaining each step of the procedure and checking
that you are doing well.
When
the laser treatment is done, your eye will then be cleaned
with sterile water as you continue to look at the fixation
light. The protective flap is simply folded back in place
and then air is gently blown on the surface to help it dry
and stick down. No stitches are required. The entire procedure
takes about 5 minutes per eye. Both eyes are done the same
day.
You will
experience a mild irritation, tearing and blurriness immediately
after the laser treatment. Soothing eye drops are given to
minimize any discomfort. See-through protective eye shields
are provided to wear the first day and night after surgery.
You are to go home and take a nap for at least several hours,
since rest aids in the healing of your eyes. Vision is usually
significantly improved after awakening a few hours later and
again upon awakening the next morning; it will continue to
improve over the following week. Most patients' vision is
clear enough to function reasonably well without glasses the
next morning.
Your
eyes will be evaluated the next morning. Evaluations are needed
at approximately 1 to 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and as needed
thereafter.
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