What You Can Expect When You See Us for Vision Correction in Overland Park
If the thought of laser vision correction and everything that comes with it feels scary to you, your feelings are valid and perfectly normal. It can be unsettling to think about surgery on your eyes, hands and lasers touching them, and having to stay very still.
But with the Durrie Vision team’s many decades of work with vision correction and dedication to furthering research and development of new procedures, our patients regularly tell us that their experiences with LASIK surgery, refractive lens exchange, and other procedures were very positive ones. Read our patient testimonials to see what we mean!
So what happens after you’re declared a candidate for one of our procedures? Let’s explore the process together.
The Laser Vision Correction Candidacy Examination
If you want to find out whether you’re a candidate for vision correction at Durrie Vision, you first must meet with one of our eye surgeons for a consultation. During this appointment, an ophthalmologist will take a look at your eyes, talk to you about your eye health history, and examine your current prescription for glasses or contact lenses. We call it our Advanced Ocular Analysis, a seven-part diagnostic screening.
Our eye surgeons take everything into consideration before recommending a procedure or procedures that could help restore your vision. During a consultation, you can ask as many questions as you’d like about our procedures and expertise.
The goal of this consultation is not only to direct you to the right treatment, but also to help you to feel comfortable with us, our surgical center, and the process as a whole. And if you head home after your consultation and realize you’ve thought of something else you’d like to know about laser vision correction, just give us a call; we’re always happy to help.
Preparing for Vision Correction Surgery
There isn’t much for you to do to prepare for your laser vision correction appointment in our office, and your pre-operative instructions will vary depending on the type of treatment you’re receiving.
If there is anything for you to do in advance, our pre- and post-surgical care team will let you know. For example, our team may ask you to:
- Stop wearing contact lenses for a period before your treatment.
- Avoid eye makeup, including mascara, eye liner, and eye shadow for a period before your treatment.
- Skip applying facial lotions and serums prior to your treatment.
- Pre-schedule a ride home with a trusted friend or family member.
- Fill a prescription for medications, like antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for after your procedure.
- Purchase preservative-free tears for regular use after your procedure.
If you have any questions about these preparations, or if you forgot to do – or not do – any of them, please be sure to let your care team know before your appointment.
What Happens Just Before Laser Vision Correction Surgery?
Your big day is finally here! For the day of your vision correction procedure, you’ll want to avoid wearing any type of makeup, aftershave, perfume, cologne, or hair products. We’ll ask you to arrive a little before your appointment to get settled and prepared for your surgery or lens replacement.
You can wear anything you’d like to your procedure, but we recommend something warm and comfortable, because the surgery suite can be cooler than normal indoor temperatures. We recommend your shirt be a button-down or similar style, so you can avoid eye contact when you change clothes before bed, for example.
When you get here, one of our team members will greet you and review any necessary paperwork.
Then, you’ll relax in a waiting area while our providers dilate your pupil and numb your eye through the use of eye drops. At this point, you will be offered a mild sedative to help relax.
What Happens During the LASIK Procedure?
When it’s time for your procedure, the team will help position you on the bed and will place a gentle eyelid holder on the eye. Once you’re all settled and the team has everything they need, the procedure will begin – and be over with before you know it! In fact, most procedures take only a few minutes per eye and never require sutures of any kind.
During your procedure, you’ll be aware of your surroundings, but you won’t really be able to see what they’re doing. Because your eye is numb or anesthetized, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort.
Upon completion of the treatment, you’ll receive another set of eye drops, antibiotics this time, to help your eye heal. You’ll also receive your aftercare instructions, both orally and in writing.
Aftercare and Recovery for LASIK Surgery and Other Procedures
Recovery for most laser vision correction procedures is relatively short, with most people returning to their usual activities the next day. Of course, certain procedures do have longer recovery times, but generally no more than a week, with only a couple of days of restricted activity, like cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange.
You’ll need to return to Durrie Vision the next day after your surgery for a quick exam to ensure the eyes are healing as expected.
Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions you received and to call Durrie Vision with any questions about what you should or shouldn’t do during your recovery period.
Ongoing Eye Health Monitoring
Certain eye surgeries require routine check-ups on a monthly, bi-monthly, or annual basis. If your surgery is one that requires these follow-ups, the scheduler at Durrie Vision will ensure you make your appointments before you leave from your surgery appointment.
Even after you have laser vision correction, it’s still important for you to receive regular preventative eye exams at your optometrist’s office.
Ditch Your Glasses at Durrie Vision
When you’re ready for safe laser vision correction, schedule your consultation with Durrie Vision to learn about which procedure is right for you and your vision goals.
Don’t let your eyesight limit you. Durrie Vision’s eye surgeons help you take back control of your life and free yourself from the restrictions that come with eyeglasses, reading glasses, progressive lenses, and contacts.
If you’re done imagining what it’s like to wake up in the morning and be able to see, unaided, and are ready to experience it for real, call Durrie Vision today.