North Yorkers ask us all the time what the laser eye surgery process is like and what happens throughout. We don’t do the surgeries at SeeRite Eye Clinic, but we do help patients understand the whole process from start to finish. We know the process well and can answer your questions with confidence because we get you ready for the treatment and take care of you while you recover.
Laser eye surgery is now one of the most common elective surgeries and new technology has made it safer and more successful than ever. LASIK is the most common type, but there’s PRK and SMILE too. All of these procedures work a little differently but they all have the same goal: to change the shape of your cornea so that light that enters your eye focuses correctly on your retina and you have clearer vision without glasses or contacts.
We do full exams through our before and post-op LASIK and cataract management services before you even get to the operating room. We take lots of measurements of your eyes to make a detailed map of your cornea and figure out exactly how it needs to be reshaped. We also do a full eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy enough for surgery and that you don’t have any issues that could go wrong during surgery or after.
On the day of your surgery you’ll go to the surgical centre where the staff will get you ready for the procedure. They’ll give you drops to numb the area so you don’t feel pain but you may feel some pressure or discomfort. The actual laser treatment is quick, usually less than a minute per eye. But the whole process, including getting ready, takes longer.
Most of the time the surgeon makes a tiny flap in the surface of your cornea or removes a small layer of tissue to get to the corneal structure underneath. Then a laser guided by a computer changes the tissue to your exact prescription. The laser removes tiny bits of tissue with incredible accuracy, correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. The surgeon puts the flap back in place after the reshaping is done and your eye starts to heal on its own.
You’ll rest for a short time in the surgical centre after your procedure before going home. Because your vision will be blurry at first, someone will need to drive you. Most patients see an improvement in a day or two but it takes several weeks to be fully healed. This is when our care is most important. We see you for follow up appointments to monitor your healing, alleviate any discomfort and make sure your vision is progressing as expected.
After laser surgery many people get dry eyes. We offer dry eye therapy to help you feel better while you heal. Depending on your symptoms we may prescribe drops, artificial tears or other therapies. Taking care of your dry eyes properly can help you see better and make the healing process more comfortable.
We also want to help you avoid eye disease for the rest of your life and we keep an eye on your eye health even after your surgery is over. Regular checkups help us find any abnormalities early and keep your eyes healthy for many years.
We’re here to help with eye problems and injuries if you need immediate care because sometimes complications or unexpected symptoms happen after surgery. It’s good to know you can see a reliable eye doctor if you need to, even if serious problems are rare. We discuss nutrition and lifestyle choices that will help you heal since your overall health affects how quickly you heal. Eating foods high in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, drinking enough water and keeping your eyes safe from harm will help you feel better.
We tell North Yorkers who come to our specialist myopia control clinic in North York that laser surgery isn’t safe for kids but we do have other ways to help kids with vision problems.
If you need temporary vision correction before or after surgery our optical services can help.
At SeeRite Eye Clinic we’re with you every step of the way with your laser eye surgery. Knowing what happens during the procedure will make you feel more comfortable and prepared. Knowing we’ll be there for you after will make you feel better in good hands.