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Lasik Post-operative
Instructions
Use the steroid drops (Predforte, FML or Betnesol ) and antibiotic
(Exocin or chloramphenicol) drops four times a day for 5 days. Be careful not to
poke the eye with the tip of the bottle. You should keep the drops in the
fridge overnight but you can carry them round in the daytime.
It is often quite a good idea to go home after the operation
and have a sleep for a couple of hours. This helps the flap to recover more
quickly and after you wake up you will find your vision a lot clearer and the
eye more comfortable.
Wear the shield to go home and then only at night whilst sleeping for one
week. Do not rub the eye for the first week. You may put on eye make-up at 1
week, go swimming at 2 weeks, and resume contact sports at 1 month post-op.
The most important check up is the day after the operation. This is because
any problems can be picked up then and dealt with early. "Sands of
the Sahara" Syndrome can occasionally present between days 2-5 post op,
so if you feel that your vision is becoming progressively more cloudy during
this time, please contact the clinic as you may need to be seen earlier. The
clinic is open every day except Sunday and we are very happy to see you at any
time should you feel that you have an urgent problem.
It is often useful to use artificial tears fairly often,
usually about 4 times a day, or more often if you need, for 2-3 months. (You can use these in the
first week in addition to your other drops if you want). This is because the
operation reduces the surface sensation of the eye for about 12 weeks and
hence normal tear secretion is also reduced until the corneal nerves recover.
You "see" with your tear film and if the eye is dry, your vision
will be degraded. These are available over the counter and cost between £1
and £3 e.g. Hypromellose, Hypotears, Viscotears. The cheapest
preservative-free preparation is minims hypomellose as each minim can be used
for up to 24 hours. Eye dryness is more prone to happen in older patients, whose tear production
is less than that of younger people. It is important to keep your check-ups at 1
week/month and 3 months post-op in case
you have any late complications.
Dr S J Doyle May 2002
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