Michael Tappin Consultant Ophthalmologist
Surrey Eye Clinic
LASIK - The procedure
The Surgery
The procedure does not take long, but you should allow for 2-3 hours at the clinic. During this time, you can ask any remaining questions if you have any and you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Please bring someone with you, to drive you home, as you will not be able to drive immediately after the procedure.
No general anaesthetic is used so you can eat and drink prior to the treatment ( no alcohol).
Please do not wear any perfume, make up or mascara.
Immediately prior to the procedure, you will be offered a mild sedative ( diazepam) to help you relax. You will be given antibiotic and local anaesthetic eye drops, after which you will be taken into theatre, where you will be asked to lie down.
Step 1
After cleaning the eyes, a sterile cover is placed over the skin. A small device called a speculum is placed between the lids to prevent blinking.
Step 2
A small suction ring is placed onto the eye, to hold it still. It is normal for the room to go dark for a few seconds at this point. The microkeratome then creates a very thin flap in the cornea, which is folded back.
Step 3
You will be asked to look at a target light, whilst the laser reshapes the corneal surface. This takes 1-5 minutes and is a painless procedure.
Step 4
The corneal flap is repositioned. Additional antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops are given and a protective transparent shield is placed over the eye. You will return to the waiting room and your eye will be checked before you can go home. Your vision will be blurred but will improve over the next 24 hours
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