What Can I Expect with Laser Eye Surgery?
Preparing for Laser Eye Surgery
We offer the following guidelines to help you have a positive laser surgery experience.
- Contact lenses must be removed prior to evaluation and surgery
- Remove soft contact lenses 10 days prior
- Remove hard or gas-permeable lenses at least 30 days prior
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Do not wear eye makeup, perfume, scented products, hairspray or earrings. They may cause laser malfunction.
- Plan to see your eye doctor one day after surgery and again within one week after surgery
- Please arrive on time for your scheduled surgery. Your surgeon will review the consent form with you and ensure all paperwork is complete. You will have the opportunity to ask any last-minute questions or address concerns at that time.
- You should plan to be in our surgery center for about two and a half hours.
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You will be asked to pay for treatment at the time of arrival. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. If you have a flexible spending account with your employer, you will need to pay on the day of surgery and get reimbursed by your plan.
Your Procedure
Laser eye surgery has been used for more than two decades to successfully correct vision.
UC Davis ophthalmologists use excimer laser technology when performing LASIK surgery. The excimer laser is a highly accurate, computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light that sculpts the cornea into the shape required to focus light rays precisely on the retina.
Learn more about laser vision correction:
Postoperative Care
After laser surgery:
- Please arrange for transportation home.
- Plan to rest at least two days following your procedure.
- While you may return to work within 2-3 days after surgery, please do not wear eye makeup for one week.
- Refrain from swimming, hot tubs, and contact sports for one month after surgery.
- Avoid eye rubbing at all times.
You will be given a post-operative care kit which includes:
- Sunglasses to help with any light sensitivity
- Eye shields or goggles to wear at bedtime for the first week
- Lubricating eye drops to use frequently as instructed by your surgeon
- Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for one week
You will notice an immediate improvement in your vision; however, it is normal to experience some tearing, discomfort, burning, fluctuating vision and halos. These side effects typically decrease over the first 24 hours and are usually completely gone in the first 3-4 weeks after surgery.
