Pre-Operative Information
- Patients are usually asked to arrive at Brookfield Sight Lab 30 minutes before scheduled surgery
- Plan on having driver stay at center — will be here for approximately 90 minutes total
- Eat lightly before arrival — No caffeine 3–4 hours before arrival
- Wear loose fitting clothing
- No make-up or scented products applied on day of surgery
- Will be given 5 mg Valium upon arrival to center
- Pre–op drops will be given as preparation to surgery (antibiotic and topical numbing drops)
- Nurse will review all post–operative instructions with you at surgery center
Surgical Process
Phase I: Creating the Flap
- Positioned under the Intralase
- Use speculum to keep eye open
- Use Suction device for stabilization of eye
- Typically 35–40 seconds to create flap, need to hold still
- Carbon Dioxide gas bubbles separate tissue
- Return to pre-operative room for 10–15 minutes
- Vision will be blurry — and possibly a little sensitive — during this time
Phase II: Visx S4 IR Laser Treatment
- Position in laser chair
- Mark for Astigmatism as needed
- Sterile scrub applied to eyes
- Speculum used to keep eye open
- Vision becomes blurry when flap is lifted
- Focus on orange flashing light
- Eye tracker engaged
- Iris registration activated if applicable (CustomVue)
- Treatment performed
- Flap returned to postion
- Let flap dry
- Vision will be blurry/watery upon discharge
Post-Operative Information
- Pain pill given before discharge at surgery center
- Need to go right home upon discharge and sleep for about 3–5 hours
- Will be given sleeping pills to help go to sleep
- Vision will be a bit hazy and possibly light sensitive
- Do not rub eyes for 1 month following surgery
- No eye make-up for 2 weeks following surgery
- No use of hot tubs or swimming for 2 weeks following surgery.
- Doctor will see you the day after surgery and will determine further post-op care at that appointment