Steps to LASIK LASIK SURGERY Preparation for a preliminary examination. It takes approximately 2 hours for the examination. Refrain from contact lenses wear prior to the examination.      Soft lenses : At least 1 week prior to the examination      Hard or semi-hard lenses : At least 2 weeks prior to the examination This way, the cornea can return to its normal shape, allowing an accurate analysis of the corneal topography and maximizing the potential for an optimal visual outcome. Have someone drive for you as the eye examination involves the use of dilating eye drops, MYDRIACYL (Tropicamide 1.0%). This will affect your near vision and increase sensitivity to light for about 4-6 hours. Please be aware that certain medications need to be discontinued for a significant period of time prior to examination and surgery. Roaccutane ( anti-acne ) needs to be discontinued at least one month prior to the examination. For expected mothers, please be informed that during your pregnancy or breast-feeding period, your eye measurements are subject to fluctuations due to hormonal changes. Hence, you may be not a suitable candidate for LASIK during these periods. Should you have the following; Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Thyroid, Heart Diseases, Rheumatoid and SLE, a complete medical history is required prior to the pre-operative eye examination Step of eye examination. If you are interested in having laser vision correction, you will need to have a pre-surgical examination to determine if your eye is healthy and suitable for surgery. We welcome all walk-in patients. However, in consideration of measurements accuracy and your convenience during spending time in our center, we would greatly appreciate if you could contact us and made appointment. Some specific information is possibly required and to be provided for standard of medical services. In particular cases, special preparation and additional medical summary or treatment are needed for optimal result of eye surgery.  Complete medical and eye history Measurement of Prescriptive refraction Subjective or manifest refraction = A refractive examination performed when the eyes in their natural state without any vision aids or dilated pupils, as opposed to a cycloplegic refraction where the pupils are dilated.  Measurement of Corneal topography, curvature and thickness  Mapping the corneal shape and thickness by the Orbscan II. Having laser surgery done to cornea that is too thin or has irregular shape can produce poor outcomes. Accurate shape measurements are vital to determine how much correction to attempt and where to aim laser. Measurement of pupil size in the dark People with large pupils are more prone to glare and other problems, particularly with night vision, after surgery. This is factor to determine your candidacy or type of treatment that suitable for you. Measurement of Wavefront aberrometry Multi-media Presentation and Individual Counseling with Patient Counselor   Eye examination and Private Consultation with Surgeon  Your doctor will perform thorough eye examination for your general eye health, especially carefully evaluate your corneas make sure your eyes are healthy and stable prior to LASIK surgery. Other eye diseases, for example, cataract, glaucoma are to be ruled out.Then your doctor will discuss: whether you are good candidate what the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the surgery are  what should you expect before, during, and after surgery what should you responsibilities will be before, during, and after surgery You should have the opportunity to ask additional questions to your doctor during this discussion.  Preparation for surgery  No contact lenses in the operative eyes for at least      1 week for Soft contact lens      2 weeks for Hard or RGP lens prior to the surgery No perfume, deodorant, or scents of any kind. No eye make-up. You should not bring valuable belonging. Do not take any medications prior to the surgery without any consultation with the doctor for example : sleeping pills. Please do not consume any alcoholic drinks before the surgery. Please have hair Wash prior treatment. Please bring your sunglasses. Please do not drive by yourself. You will be covered with the eye-shield(s) on the operated eye(s) after the surgery. Although you can see through the eye-shield, you may experience irritation, stinging sensation, watering, hazy vision and may have difficulties opening the eye, which will be the obstacles for safty-driving. We require that all minors under age of 20 have their guardian present to give permission. LASIK operation The surgery itself takes only 15-20 minutes for both eyes. It will require up to 1 hour total in the center including preparations. The schudule in the evening then you can return home/hotel   immediately. Caring your eyes after LASIK After surgery, You should return straight home and have a good night rest for the first night. Do not let the eye come into contact with water. Nevertheless, the patient can still bathe and brush their teeth, but must do so with extra care. On the morning after operation, most of patients' vision has much improved and symptoms are gone but someone may still feel some irritation and stinging in one eye or both.    Follow ups at Phuket Laser Center The patient should turn up at the appointed time. Staff will remove the eye shield and the area around the eye is cleaned. The patient then is examined by the surgeon. You can resume your normal activities with a few restrictions.    You will be mildly sensitive to light and have the feeling that something is in your eye for 1 to 2 days. Sunglasses may make you comfortable during this time.   You will need to schedule a 1week follow-up. This can be somewhat flexible (from 5-7 days after surgery).This 1 week visit is important for checking wound healing.   Another 1 month, 3 months and 1 year follow ups are for observe stability of your eyesight after laser vision correction.   Symptoms After your LASIK surgery, you may notice some of the following normal and usually temporary observations.  During the first several weeks after LASIK you may experience: Fluctuating Vision - Vision may fluctuate from day to day and sometimes from morning to evening as your eyes heal from the surgery. These fluctuations become less noticeable and eventually disappear as the healing process becomes complete.  Halos or Glare at Night - Some patients experience halos around headlights or street lights for the first few weeks to few months after surgery, particularly if they had astigmatism prior to surgery. These halos and glares will improve with time.  Dry-Eye Sensation - You may experience a "dry eye" sensation for the first month or more, especially if your eyes were normally more dry prior to surgery. You may experience mild burning, or a temporary blurring of vision as part of the dry-eye sensation. This temporary effect can easily be corrected by using preservative-free tears as needed for comfort.  While it's possible you may experience some or all of these symptoms, many patients do not experience any negative side effect from their LASIK laser vision correction. Activity Schedule following uncomplicated bilateral LASIK Surgery Day of LASIK Surgery The day of Lasik surgery should be a day of rest  Always be very careful about activities where the eye may be poked, rubbed or touched. Always avoid rubbing eyes for 1 month.  When showering ,do not let water hit your eyes directly. No soap or shampoo in the eyes. Alcohol consumption is not be restricted 24 Hours After LASIK Surgery After having eye examination Start using antibiotic eye drop as directed. Apply face makeup (but not eye makeup or eye cream). No Sun-tanning cream on the face. Driving is acceptable if adequate vision is confirmed at the post-operative evaluation.  Reading and watching TV is acceptable as long as adequate eye lubrication is maintained. Do office work. Use computers (but it is very important to keep eyes well-lubricated). Avoid gardening, grass cutting and dirty/dusty environments for a week. Restrict activities to light activities. With light exercise, keep sweat out of your eyes. A sweat band should be worn for the next 7 days. Flying in airplanes is acceptable but keep eyes generously lubricated (every 30 minutes) - airplanes have very dry air.  1 Week (5 days) After LASIK Surgery   Water permitted to your eyes Stop using antibiotics Use lubricant if necessary or as doctor's suggestion Jogging outdoors. Playing golf Swimming (wear goggles), Snorkeling 2 weeks After LASIK Surgery Eye makeup Racquet sports - tennis, squash, racquetball, badminton  1 Month after LASIK Surgery Scuba diving Parachuting. Skiing. Sailing Contact sports : Baseball; basketball; football; soccer, boxing