• What are the risks of LASIK?
• Can both eyes be treated at the same time?
• How long does LASIK take?
• Is it painful?
• How quickly will my vision improve?
• How soon may I return to work?
• I wear contact lenses. Could that affect my surgery?
• How soon may I wear eye makeup?
• May I drive myself home after surgery?
• Is CLEAR™ painful?
• How long does the surgery take?
• How soon can I return to work?
• How quickly will my vision improve after surgery?
• Will I have to wear a patch after surgery?
• What are my restrictions after surgery?

Laser Eye Surgery Questions From Patients at Our Florida Practice

At St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute, Pit Gills, MD, offers laser eye surgery, including LASIK and other refractive procedures for unparalleled vision correction. Patients interested in laser eye surgery should contact Dr. Gills for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What are the risks of LASIK?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. Complications are rare, but may include: over or under correction, corneal flap problems, infections, glare, or halos.

Can both eyes be treated at the same time?

In most cases, LASIK can be performed on both eyes on the same day.

How long does LASIK take?

At our Florida practice, LASIK eye surgery can be performed in about 15 to 20 minutes. The surgery takes approximately five minutes for each eye.

Is it painful?

Patients who visit our Tampa and Orlando area practice find that LASIK eye surgery is not painful. However, you will be aware of some pressure during the procedure. Afterwards, your eyes may feel irritated, watery, or mildly sensitive for the first 24 hours.

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How quickly will my vision improve?

In most cases, patients who have had laser eye surgery experience visual improvement in a matter of hours, noticing even more improvement by the next day.

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How soon may I return to work?

Some people are able to return to work the next day; most can return two days after surgery.

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I wear contact lenses. Could that affect my surgery?

Contacts may slightly alter the shape of your cornea and affect critical measurements needed for LASIK eye surgery. If you wear soft contacts, abstain from wearing them for at least one week prior to the evaluation/surgery. Soft toric lenses must be left out for six weeks. If you wear gas permeable (hard) lenses, remove them six weeks before your evaluation/surgery.

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How soon may I wear eye makeup?

We recommend that our patients avoid wearing eye makeup for the first week after LASIK eye surgery to reduce the risk of infection.

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May I drive myself home after surgery?

You may drive yourself to surgery but we require that a friend or family member drive you home afterward.

For more information about Dr. Pit Gills, serving patients from Florida and various countries throughout the world, contact our cataract, retina, and LASIK practice today.

Visit our pages on farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism for additional LASIK information.

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Is CLEAR™ painful?

Discomfort following CLEAR™ varies. Most patients describe it as a scratchy sensation, which is normal. During surgery, a microscopic incision was made on the surface of your eye. Until the incision heals you may experience a scratchy feeling when you blink. This may also be a symptom of dry eyes. Using artificial tears after surgery may help alleviate this sensation.

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How long does the surgery take?

Patients have their first eye done one day and then return the following day to have their second eye done. The procedure itself takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. However, plan to spend about 4 hours with us. The remaining time is spent reviewing post-op instructions and a post-op exam prior to discharge.

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How soon can I return to work?

Most patients are back to work the day after the procedure. Normal activities may be resumed as soon as you are able to tolerate them. Bending and lifting will not harm the outcome of your surgery. Driving may be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable with your vision.

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How quickly will my vision improve after surgery?

Blurred vision should be expected following surgery. It usually begins to clear in 1 to 3 days. Double or slanted vision during the first 24-hours is normal and is caused by the anesthetic effect on the eye muscles.

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Will I have to wear a patch after surgery?

All patients are provided with protective shields to wear after surgery. Patients will wear these shields at bedtime for 1 week following surgery. As we sleep, we may unconsciously rub or touch the eyes, potentially causing infection or discomfort.

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What are my restrictions after surgery?

To best insure the success of your surgery, the following restrictions apply:

• No swimming, sauna or hot tub for 2 weeks after surgery. No water should get in the eye during your recovery time, and that will include bathing and showering.
• For ladies, no eye makeup for 1 week. During this time, it is suggested to take this opportunity to re-invest in new mascara, eyeliners, and eye shadows to eliminate the potential of infection.
• Rubbing, itching, or touching the eye is highly prohibited. If you feel any discomfort, dryness or irritation, you are encouraged to apply wetting drops as provide to you at the time of surgery.

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