Preparation
Good preparation is essential for a safe and successful laser eye procedure. We have compiled an overview of all the important instructions you should follow leading up to your treatment. Please read these carefully:
Contact lenses
- Soft lenses: do not wear for 14 days before treatment
- Hard lenses: do not wear for 4 weeks before treatment
- Night lenses: do not wear for 6 weeks before treatment
Pre-treatment care
- Use omega 3-6-9 (fish) oil for better tear film stability (250mg, once a day, 2 weeks before treatment and up to 6 months after treatment)
- No eye makeup on the day of treatment
- Remove makeup the day before treatment and thoroughly clean your eyelids
- Tinting eyelashes or applying false eyelashes? Plan this at least 1-2 weeks before the treatment.
On the day of the treatment
- Arrive well-rested.
- Do not use perfume, aftershave, or day cream
- Wear comfortable clothing (no wool or loose-fiber clothing)
- Keep in mind the operating room temperature is 18°C
What to bring
- Sunglasses and a hat (to protect against light sensitivity after the treatment)
- A companion (you cannot go home independently)
Important information in advance
- Sedatives are not provided as standard, but are available upon request.
- The total time spent in the clinic is 1,5-2 hours.
- The treatment itself takes approximately 15 minutes.
Step 1 - Preparation
You will be given protective clothing (jacket, hat, and overshoes) and will receive an explanation of the procedure.
Step 2 - Anesthesia and Disinfection
The eye will be anesthetized with eye drops and then disinfected. An eyelid retractor will be used to keep the eye open. A sterile drape will be placed over your face, which you should not touch.
Step 3 - Preparing for the Laser Procedure
The laser will be set up, and you will be instructed to look at a fixation light. An eye tracker will accurately track your eye movements. If your eye moves too much, the laser will automatically stop.
Step 4 - Laser Treatment
The computer-controlled laser first removes the epithelial layer and then reshapes the cornea into the desired shape. If you have opted for wavefront treatment, additional optimization will take place that will take a few seconds longer. During the treatment, you may smell a burning odor.
Step 5 - Completion of the treatment
After the laser treatment, the ophthalmologist will rinse the cornea and apply a protective bandage lens (a soft, non-prescription contact lens). The underlying epithelium will need 3 to 4 days to heal.
Step 6 - Immediately after the treatment
You will go to a recovery room where you will receive the necessary medication. The staff will explain how to use this medication.
Step 7 - Aftercare
Three to four days after the treatment, you will return for your first check-up. During this appointment, the ophthalmologist or optometrist will remove the bandage lens and check the recovery of your eyes.
Please note:
A final suitability check will take place on the day of the treatment. Therefore, the treatment can still be canceled, modified, or rescheduled if it proves unsuitable for your situation or if the equipment does not meet the quality requirements. Visus Eye Clinic strives to keep such situations to a minimum.
Post-Treatment Instructions
After your LASEK treatment, it is important that you follow a number of lifestyle rules to ensure optimal recovery. Below you will find an overview of all instructions for the period after your treatment:
Immediately after the treatment
- You may keep your eyes open or closed
- Expect the following during the first few hours:
- Watery eyes
- Possible burning sensation or headache
- Possible difficulty keeping your eyes open
- Feeling as if something is in your eye
- These symptoms usually disappear after 4-6 hours
- You can use paracetamol if necessary
Hygiene and care
- First 24 hours: Do not shower or wash your hair
- Days 2-4: Showering is permitted, but do not get water in your eyes
- Do not rub your eyes for at least 3 weeks
- After 1 week: Regular makeup is permitted
- After 3 weeks: Waterproof makeup is permitted
- Wear protective goggles at night for the first week
Eye protection
- Wear sunglasses for the first 2 weeks
- Avoid:
- smoky and dusty areas for 2 weeks
- Sauna
- Gardening
- Activities Where dust/sand can get into the eyes
- First month: no tanning beds
- Limit screen time during the first week after treatment. Take regular breaks from screen time and consciously blink frequently.
- Wear sunglasses outside for two weeks after treatment.
Exercise
- First week: no running, cardio, or fitness classes
- First 2 weeks: no swimming
- First 3 weeks: no team sports or combat sports
- First 3 months: no diving or contact sports
Important to know
- What you see in the first few days is not indicative of the final result.
- Blurred vision is normal and can last for several weeks.
- People over 40 may need reading glasses.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the clinic at 0800 0088.
Recovery after LASEK treatment is different for everyone. What you see in the first few days doesn't necessarily indicate the final result. Because the corneal surface needs to heal first, vision recovery with LASEK takes slightly longer than with other laser treatments. Most people can return to work after about 7 to 10 days. The final result is usually achieved after 4 to 6 months.
Immediately after treatment, slight swelling of the cornea almost always occurs. This can temporarily affect your vision:
- With a previous minus prescription, you may see slightly more vision initially, which can make reading more difficult.
- With a previous plus prescription, you may temporarily experience a slight decrease in vision, which means your distance vision is not yet optimal.
During the first few months, it is normal to experience:
- Scattered light (glare or halo), especially in dim or dark conditions
- A dry or tingling sensation
- Variable visual acuity, especially with intensive viewing, such as driving or using a screen
- Increased light sensitivity
These symptoms are part of the cornea's healing process and usually subside on their own. Additional artificial tears can temporarily stabilize and improve vision.
For a small percentage of patients, the final prescription does not fully meet expectations. If the prescription is demonstrably stable, we will discuss the possibility of additional correction. In practice, this rarely occurs within the first year.
Discharge letter for your GP
On the day of treatment, you will receive a discharge letter for your GP prior to the treatment. Please submit this letter at your next appointment so that your GP is aware of the treatment performed.
Medication
After laser eye surgery, you will use eye drops to support corneal healing. We will provide you with the necessary medications prescribed by your ophthalmologist. The clinic's pharmacy will then bill your health insurer for these.
If you need a repeat prescription later, you can easily request one via Repeat Prescription.
About the medication schedule
The medication schedule is structured in two phases:
- Drop schedule 1 – immediately after treatment until the first check-up (when the bandage lens is still in place)
- Drop schedule 2 – after the first check-up, when the bandage lens has been removed, to further support corneal healing and protection
Drop schedule 1 – immediately after treatment until the first check-up
Ofloxacine (antibiotic)
Ofloxacin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria and helps prevent eye infections after eye surgery.
Use after treatment
- Immediately after treatment: 1 drop per eye, 4 times a day.
- Use until your first check-up
Good to know
- Allow at least 5 minutes between different types of eye drops
- Do not touch the tip of the bottle to your eye
- Shelf life: 1 month after opening
- Store between 8-25°C
Possible side effects
- Mild burning or stinging sensation during or after use
- Temporary blurred vision. This usually disappears within a few minutes
Thealoz Duo (artificial tear)
These preservative-free eye drops are specially formulated for dry, irritated, and sensitive eyes. They soothe, hydrate, and protect your eyes gently and effectively.
Use after treatment
- Immediately after treatment: one drop per eye every 2 hours
Good to know
- Wait at least 5 minutes between different types of eye drops
- Shelf life: 6 months after opening
- Store between 8-30°
- Available online after use for continued treatment
Possible side effects
- Slight burning sensation during or after use
- Temporary blurred vision (disappears within a few minutes)
Painkillers
The level of pain varies from person to person and is difficult to predict in advance. You may take paracetamol as needed immediately after the treatment. You will need to obtain this yourself.
Drop schedule 2 – After the first checkup, after the bandage contact lens has been removed
Thealoz Duo (artificial tear)
Thealoz Duo is a preservative-free eye drop specially developed for dry, sensitive, and irritated eyes. The drops hydrate, soothe, and protect the eye gently but effectively.
Use after treatment
- Immediately after the check-up: one drop per eye, every 2 hours
- Use both enclosed bottles completely
- You can then continue using the drops as needed
Good to know
- Allow at least 5 minutes between using different types of eye drops
- Shelf life: 6 months after opening
- Store at 8–30°C
- After using the enclosed bottles, Thealoz Duo is available online for further use
Possible side effects
- A mild burning sensation during or after use
- Temporary blurred vision (usually disappears within a few minutes)
FML-liquifilm (anti-inflammatory)
FML (Fluorometholone) is a corticosteroid (adrenal cortex hormone) that reduces inflammation such as itching, redness, and swelling.
You will receive one bottle for treatment in one eye and two bottles for treatment in both eyes.
Use after the check-up
- Immediately after the first check-up, one drop per eye, 3 times a day.
- Use until the supplied bottles are empty.
Good to know
- Wait at least 5 minutes between different types of eye drops.
- Shelf life: 28 days after opening.
- Store between 15-25°C.
Possible side effects
- Slight burning sensation during or after use.
Vidisic Carbogel
Vidisic Carbogel is a tear substitute that thickens tear fluid, better protecting the cornea from drying out.
When the eye is insufficiently lubricated, symptoms such as a burning or painful sensation and blurred vision may occur. Untreated dryness can lead to damage or inflammation of the cornea.
Vidisic E.D.O. thickens tear fluid and helps prevent drying out. The effect begins immediately and lasts approximately 3–4 hours.
Use after the check-up
- First 2 days: one drop per eye, once an hour.
- Thereafter, 3 times a day for at least 2 weeks.
- You may use the drops more often if needed.
Good to know
- Wait at least 5 minutes between different types of eye drops.
- An opened ampoule is good for 24 hours, provided it is properly sealed after use.
- Store between 15-25°C.
Possible side effects
- Temporary blurred vision
- Mild burning sensation during or after instillation
- Wash your hands with soap and dry them thoroughly with a clean towel or paper.
- Sit down and hold the bottle of eye drops in your writing hand.
- With the fingers of your other hand, gently pull the lower eyelid downward to create a small pocket.
- Tilt your head back and look upward. If this is difficult, lie down instead.
- Rest the hand holding the bottle on the hand creating the pocket for extra stability.
- Hold the bottle above the eye, without touching the eye, eyelids, or eyelashes.
- Gently squeeze the bottle and allow one drop to fall into the pocket.
- Close your eye (without squeezing) and sit upright again.
- Gently press the tear duct at the inner corner of the eye for 1 minute. This prevents the drop from draining away too quickly through the nose or throat.
- Wash your hands again and dry them.
