• You will have a pad or a clear shield in front of the eye(s).
• Try not to move your eye under the pad.
• Have somebody with you to take home if you are having both eyes treated.
• The anaesthetic drops instilled for the LASER will wear off after about half an hour and you will feel the discomfort.

At Home

• Relax and rest in a dim light room and avoid watching TV or reading for a couple of days.
• The treated eye may cause discomfort or gritty sensation in the first 24-48 hours following treatment.
• Apply the antibiotic drops with care. Wash your hands, look up and instil the drops inside the lower eyelid.
• Make sure that the tip of the ointment tube does not touch the lid.
• Do not wear the patch for longer than 24 hours. Remove the patch gently from the top downwards after 4-6 hrs.
• Most people can cope on their own within 48 hours of treatment but do not meet driving standards (ability to read a car number plate at 67 ft/20.5m.
• Avoid driving for approximately one week unless you are certain you meet those standards. Be very careful when driving, as your 'binocular vision' (two eyes working together) will be disturbed. Judging distances will be difficult.
• Your Vision may fluctuate and you may experience a 'ghosting effect' around all objects. This is normal and is due to the healing process.
• According to the level of correction, patients tend to be slightly long sighted/ short sighted immediately after treatment. This may last a few weeks. You may need to wear for close work if you are above forty years.
• Generally vision tends to stabilise 1-3 months following treatment.

Healing

• As the cornea heals there may be some 'haze' formation at about three to six weeks following surgery.
• Most haze tends to be so slight that people do not notice it. For higher prescription there are possibilities of a dense haze.
• Sometimes weak steroid drops are prescribed.
• You can use preservative free artificial teardrops (Viscotears or Optive or Celluvisc or Artelac or Hylotears) if you experience gritty or dry sensation. These are freely available over the counter.

Advice

• Expect the eyes to be light sensitive and slightly watery for upto seven days.
• Occasionally you may have a stinging or gritty sensation, which will improve gradually.
• Do not make any important plans for approximately one week.
• If you have small children you may want to arrange practical help from relatives or friends for a couple of days.
• Do not swim for approximately 4 weeks.
• Do not do any contact sports for approximately one month or as advised by the doctor.
• If you work in a dusty environment (i.e. building site), protect your eyes wearing safety glasses for about a month.
• If you use a VDU screen at work you may find it more tiring (due to the glare), for the first 2-3 weeks. You do not harm your eyes by using a VDU screen, but you may need more regular breaks than normal to rest your eyes.
• Your First aftercare appointment should be within 7-10 days of treatment.
• Your second aftercare appointment will be within 2 months.
• Third appointment will be around 3 months after this you will be discharged if all is well.
• Do not use sun beds for at least 6 months.
• If you have any problems please contact us.

Contact Lenses

• The bandaged contact lens (lenses) will be removed on your first visit.
• Do not attempt to remove contact lens yourself as it may result in severe pain if the epithelium is not well healed.