LASIK Surgery Information - Gailey Eye Clinic

Important Information – Please Read Carefully!

Before Your Surgery

Please have someone drive you to and from Gailey Eye Clinic on the day of your procedure.
Wear clothes that do not need to be pulled over your head and remove all make-up, perfume and body lotion prior to arrival.
Discontinue wearing contact lenses at least two weeks prior to treatment.
Be sure to eat something light before arriving.
Payment is due in full prior to the procedure. If you are taking advantage of our affordable payment plan, please set this up in advance your procedure.

You will be in our office about 90 minutes on the day of your procedure. You will be in the laser room for about 15 minutes.
During your treatment you may feel slight pressure, which is mild pressure and will only last about 5-10 seconds. The doctor will be talking to you during the laser treatment and someone will be holding your hand the entire time.
Immediately following your laser surgery, your vision will be blurry and may feel like “you are looking under water.” Your eyes may tear and feel slightly scratchy. This is completely normal.
We will provide you with sunglasses for your comfort when you leave our office.
We recommend you go directly home and begin using your eye drops according to the instructions given to you after your procedure. Take a long nap. After a few hours, the discomfort will be reduced, if not completely gone.
Put one more set of drops in your eye(s) prior to going to bed and apply goggles as instructed.
You should not drive a car, operate machinery or attempt to climb stairs the same day as surgery because of the relaxation medication we’ve given you.

Carefully remove goggles and put one set of drops into your eyes as instructed.
Your post-op appointment time at Gailey Eye Clinic is usually first thing in the morning.
Use your prescribed eye drops four times a day in the operated eyes for one week. Wait 2 to 3 minutes between drops. Systane tears may be used as needed for comfort.
Your eyes will be light-sensitive and may be scratchy. Red blotchy areas on the white of the eyes, if present, may take 10 days to resolve and are normal. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR RUB YOUR EYES.
Your vision will be foggy at first, but will improve as the day goes on, and each day thereafter. Redness and irritation will subside after you begin your drops.
Your vision will typically fluctuate during the first few weeks. This is part of the normal healing process, and usually indicates that your eyes are dry. This is an indication to use your artifical tears more frequently.

You may drive if you feel comfortable and safe with your vision.
Wear protective eyewear in all activities that could result in rubbing or bumping your eyes. Be extra careful if you have small children or animals at home.
No swimming for one week.
Do NOT use mascara or eyeliner for one week.
Avoid strenuous activities for one week. Jogging and aerobics are OK, but cut back on weights by half for one week.

The most important instruction to remember is DO NOT RUB OR TOUCH YOUR EYES.
It is normal for your eyes to be slightly sore and somewhat light sensitive. The drops will help relieve this.
Your eyes may feel scratchy and irritated. This is normal. Artificial tears should be used as often as necessary to relieve this irritation. Blinking frequently also helps.
Expect your vision to fluctuate for the first few weeks. It will probably be blurry in the morning but clear in the afternoon. You can expect glare and halos from lights in the evenings. This will improve each week.