Once the LASIK is completed:

• You will be taken to a dark room and instructed to close your eyes for 20-30 minutes.
• Dr. Kursar will then inspect your eye and give you final instructions.
• You will wear plastic eye guards home and continuously until the next morning. They may be lifted while instilling the eyedrops.
• Your driver will then be able to take you home to rest.
• Dr. Kursar will ask you to go directly home and sleep or at least close your eyes for two hours. No alcohol the night of surgery. This will allow your corneal flap to stick tightly in the position Dr. Kursar positioned it at the end of your surgery.

Your Recovery and Common Symptoms:
Listed below are symptoms you may experience after your LASIK:

Pain: After 30-90 minutes you may experience a slight scratching sensation. The application of extra Celluvisc will help this greatly.

Eye Irritation: Mild scratching is expected, anything more should be reported to Dr. Kursar (314-822-3776) day or night.

Blurry Vision: Your vision will be blurry during the first 1-3 days. This is normal. Your vision should be good by one week and quite good by one month, but it is important to remember that everyone heals at his own rate. Achieving a good result safely is the primary goal, not speed.

Depth Perception: You may feel a little off balance after your first eye is treated. Your depth perception may be a little off as well. Be careful pouring hot coffee, hammering a nail or driving a car (leave more space). Most people adjust within 1-2 weeks. There are no balance problems when the second eye is treated.

Double Vision: Some patients experience double vision or lack of sharpness, which usually resolves over 1-3 months. If your double vision has not resolved in 3-6 months, an enhancement LASIK is possible to improve sharpness. This rarely happens. Have patience.

Reading Vision: You will be slightly farsighted immediately following LASIK. This will make your vision blurrier for seeing things at close range (i.e. reading or threading a needle). It is important to remember that your distance vision will clear first and your reading vision last. Your age and strength of your focusing muscle determine when reading vision returns. In patients over 40 years of age, readings glasses are usually needed, unless monovision is planned pre-operatively.

Night Glare: This symptom is most apparent during the first several weeks of your recovery. Starbursts and halos usually occur in patients with more severe degrees of myopia and large pupils. Night glare usually resolves and returns to pre-surgery levels once both eyes have been treated.

Practical tips on the care of your eyes following LASIK:

• It is best to rest as much as possible. Sleep helps to speed recovery.
• No swimming, hot tubs, or whirlpools for 7-10 days after LASIK.
• Showers and baths are fine, but try not to get water in your eyes.
• No gardening and avoid dirty environments for one week.
• Smoking is permitted, but any smoke is irritating to the eye. • Excessive TV or reading may irritate your eye. Moderation is best.
• Driving may be unsafe for the first day or so after LASIK, depending on how rapidly your vision improves.
• Some patients may go back to work in 1-2 days if feeling up to your usual activities. Excessive use of the eyes or not using your prescribed eyedrops may slow the healing process or make complications more likely.

Medical follow-up cares after surgery:

Day 1: An appointment will be scheduled for you on the day following your surgery to ensure the surface of the eye is healing properly and to ensure there is no evidence of infection.

About 7 days after: LASIK, then monthly, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months to ensure proper healing, measure visual progress and check eye pressure.

To Use Your Eyedrops:

• Pull lower eyelids down to instill drops.
• Place eyedrops in lower eyelid sac.
• Wait 3 minutes between different eyedrops.
• Either drop can be instilled first.
• Instill drops at meals and at bedtime.
• Do not wake up to instill drops.
• Close eyes for 30 seconds after putting in drops.

Realistic Expectations:

It is important for you to have realistic expectations after refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK). Not everyone gets 20/20 vision after surgery.

Between 58-69% achieve 20/20+ vision, 82-85% achieve 20/25 to 20/30+ vision, 98% achieve 20\40+, and 99% achieve 20/80+. A realistic goal is to get through most every day without thinking about your vision.

20/20 vision alone does not define success.

Each person heals at his own rate with some healing more slowly. Patients in their 40's, 50's, and 60's will most likely require reading glasses after LASIK, unless monovision is planned.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY you may call our office for any assistance you may need. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day. (314) 822-3776