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Lasik Instructions
Day of Surgery Instructions
- Please eat a light meal before your procedure. Avoid food or beverages containing caffeine.
- Take any medication you normally would.
- DO NOT consume any alcohol or sedatives that could make you drowsy prior to entering the center.
- DO NOT wear any clothing that is fuzzy or restrictive. Dress comfortably and warm.
- DO NOT use any hairspray, perfume, or scented bath gels / soaps.
- DO NOT wear any make up the day of your procedure. Make sure mascara and eyeliner is completely removed
- Plan to be at the center for approximately 4 to 6 hours.
- Have a companion accompany you. Your companion must drive you home. Please do not bring more than one companion with you as seating is limited.
- Before arriving the day of surgery, put one drop of antibiotic in each eye. (Antibiotic is typically Zymar)
- Fill the Valium prescription, and bring it with you. DO NOT self-medicate.
- Fill the steroid prescription. (Typically this is Lotamax, Pred Forte or Econo Pred). You will use this medication after the surgery.
Important Considerations for Surgery with Dr. Shofner's office in Nashville
- Your Pre-Operative Exam has been completed.
- Your Surgery has been scheduled. (1-615-340-4733)
- If you are financing with CareCredit, you have called and have your account number.
- You have your Hotel room booked in Nashville, so that you can return for one-day post operative exam.
Dr. Shofner's Office
- Location is:
2021 Church St. Suite 303
Medical Plaza II
Nashville, TN 37203
1-615-340-4733
- Directions taking I-65 North: Head North and then go to I-40 West. Exit at Church St./Charlotte Ave. exit 209.
Upon Arrival at Dr. Shofner's office
- Sign in at the front Desk
- A technician will call you back to run an auto refraction, and an orb scan. The orb scan is a machine that looks at the status of the cornea.
- Then an on staff optometrist will go over the pre-operative exam, and look for any corneal problems.
- Next you will be checked in by the cashier where she will take your final payment and valium. She will have you sit in the waiting room until it is time to be called back for surgery.
- Your last step is to be called back by the surgery prep, and she will administer your valium, go over your drop schedule and post operative instructions.
After your Lasik Surgery
After the deadening drops where off, the eye may feel tired, scratchy, light sensitive or sore for about 4 hours. This is normal, and allows the cornea to begin to heal the flap back. Generally the eye feels much better after this 4 hour period of time.
It is recommended to go back to your hotel room and take a nap for these few hours. Generally you will feel drowsy because of the valium. This will allow your eye to heal, with the lids closed and in a restful state.
DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES!!! It is recommended that you do not rub your eyes for 3 months after the procedure. Use Artificial tear instead, if there is any burning or dryness. It is especially critical during the first 4 hours after the procedure, as the flap can easily be dislodged during this time. The flap is fairly easy to dislodge for even the first week after the surgery. You will need to sleep with goggles for the first week, to protect this flap at night.
Begin taking the eye drops according to schedule
The typical schedule is as follows, but may very from person to person. Always follow the specific schedule given to you by your doctor.
Antibiotic (generally Zymar) 4 times daily in each eye for 1 week
Steroid (generally Lotamax, Pred Forte, or Econopred) 4 times daily in each eye for 1 week. Then 3 times daily in each eye for 1 week. Then 2 times daily in each eye for 1 week. Then 1 time daily in each eye for 1 week.) Then discontinue. This schedule may change at the follow-ups depending on how the healing is progressing.
Anti-inflammatory drop (generally Acular PF) 4 times daily for 2 days. Then discontinue.
Preservative Free Artificial Tears as often as possible. At least 4 times daily. Many patients find that hourly drops (or even more often) are helpful in the first several days after surgery. Punctal plugs are also very helpful in maintaining moisture, but they do not replace regular tear drops. Preservative Free artificial tears may be used as often as you would like. Even every 15 minutes, if that is helpful. At a minimum use the tears 4 times daily for the first week. Many patients find tear drops helpful even months after the surgery.
Post Operative Examinations
You will need a Post-op exam the morning after surgery. Most patients have this visit at the surgery center. Day 1 post-ops may also be done at Perfect Optical by appointment. Perfect Optical is not open on Saturday's nor Sunday's. So Friday or Saturday Surgery's must have their post-ops in Nashville. Day 1 post-ops are very important for all lasik patients.
If all is going well, most lasik patients come into Perfect Optical for a 1-2 week post-op and then a 2-3 month post op. these are generally short visits. We will evaluate the eyes health and vision. If all has gone well, you will then return for yearly comprehensive eye exams.
Depending on the healing of the eye, more post-ops may be required. Dr. Bagley will let you know.
If at any time you are concerned about the health or vision, schedule a post-op with Dr. Bagley. These post-ops are covered for 90 days. Beyond 90 days normal medical fee's will be charged. It is critical that any problems be evaluated as soon as possible.
What to expect during the post-operative period
Dryness is very common during the post-operative period. Dryness can last from several days, to several months after the procedure. Continue to use tear drops as long as dryness persists.
Mild to moderate vision fluctuations are very common for at least 2 weeks after the procedure. Severe decrease in vision should be evaluated as soon as possible.
Glare, halo's, and star burst effects around lights at night, are also very common for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.
Cautions to take during the post-operative period
Do not rub your eyes for 3 months after the procedure.
Do not swim or use a hot tub for 5 weeks after the procedure.
Do not use a tanning bed for at least 6 months after the procedure.
Do not do heavy exercise or other strenuous activity for 1 week after the procedure. Avoid getting sweat in the eyes during the first week following the procedure. Wear your protective goggles during the first week while sleeping.
Wear UV protecting sunglasses for 6 months after the procedure. This is good to do for the rest of your life, whether you have had lasik or not.
After PRK Surgery
A contact lens will be placed on your eye after PRK surgery. The eyes will be quit uncomfortable for a day or two after PRK. You will not have a 1 day post-operative evaluation. Instead, you will be evaluated several days after the procedure. At this visit, you will likely have the contact lenses removed. Recovery takes longer for PRK, than for lasik surgery, including both vision and comfort. The eye drop schedule varies from person to person. You will be told at your first post-op visit how you should continue taking your drops. Generally you will be on the antibiotic and steroid drops for a longer period of time, then the typical lasik schedule. Do not begin to taper the steroid drops, or discontinue the antibiotic until told to at the post-op. Generally you will have more post-op examinations during the 90 day post-operative period. Other considerations are similar to lasik post-operative period.