Do Any Injections Are Given Before Lasik Surgery?
There have been a lot of creations in LASIK surgery in the past decade. New laser vision correction procedures such as Bladeless Femto LASIK and Bladeless Flapless Relex Smile have made the procedure safer and more precise. Overall, Lasik surgery involves a laser-assisted change in the cornea’s curvature. People who are assuming LASIK surgery usually have a lot of queries and concerns about LASIK surgery. This blog, “Do any injections are given before Lasik surgery?” attempts to provide a checklist and information related to LASIK surgery.
Before Lasik surgery
Several important steps before LASIK surgery ensure a smooth transition to the other steps. It is a considerably important part of the entire LASIK surgery journey. So, Do any injections are given before Lasik surgery? Let’s check!
Are any injections given before Lasik surgery?
Yes, certain injections may be given prior to LASIK surgery to aid in the treatment. It’s crucial to remember that LASIK surgery does not frequently entail injections into the eye.
1. Local anesthesia injections are given around the eye to numb the area before to the surgery. This can come in the form of an injection or eye drop application.
2. Sedative injections: To assist them to relax throughout the procedure, some patients may be given sedative injections. This can ease tension and improve the experience of the treatment.
3. Antibiotic injections: To avoid any potential infections during the procedure, an antibiotic injection may be administered in some circumstances.
Do any injections are given before Lasik Surgery? Pre-LASIK Evaluation
The pre-LASIK evaluation is the most important part of the entire LASIK journey. It helps determine a person’s suitability for LASIK and, based on the test reports, helps decide the most suitable type of LASIK surgery.
A comprehensive eye examination, including a detailed history, vision, eye pressure, eye power, corneal evaluation, optic nerve, and retinal evaluation, is performed as part of the pre-LASIK evaluation.
A sequence of tests is performed, such as corneal topography (color map of the cornea), corneal consistency, dry eye test, muscle balance test, corneal diameter, pupil size, etc.
Consultation and detailed discussion with Lasik surgeon
During the consultation, the LASIK surgeon will consult your suitability for LASIK. Based on the test report, the most suitable type of LASIK surgery will also be prescribed. The risks, advantages, and alternatives to LASIK surgery will be discussed so that you understand your options.
The doctor will also discuss the normal dos and don’ts and what you should expect before, during, and after the LASIK surgery. Your duties before, during, and after surgery will also be referred to. At this phase, you should feel free to ask queries and clear all your suspicions. Additionally, you should consider the information provided before having LASIK surgery.
Contact lenses
All people who wear contact lenses should quit wearing contact lenses a few days before the procedure. A week to 10 days is good for soft lenses, but 2-3 weeks is better for semi-soft RGP contact lenses. Contact lenses can change the actual contour of the cornea and should be normalized before the test and the actual surgery.
Stop eye makeup
If you have finally decided to go ahead with LASIK surgery, it is better to stop using all kinds of eye cosmetics and creams around the eyes 3-4 days before LASIK surgery. Residue from these products on the lids and edges of the eyelashes can increase the risk of infection and more superficial inflammation after the procedure.
Day of Surgery- Do any injections are given before Lasik surgery?
Completing any urgent work and calming your mind before you arrive is best as you prepare for LASIK surgery. It is critical to organize transportation on the day of LASIK surgery. Patients are not approved to drive themselves on the day of LASIK surgery.
All eye and face makeup traces must be removed before entering the center for LASIK surgery.
Patients should sidestep wearing perfume, cologne, or after-shave, as this can hinder the interpretation of the laser.
It is better to have a light meal before coming for LASIK surgery.
It is very important to wear comfortable clothing to stay in after the procedure and throughout the night.
You have to read and sign an informed consent form. The doctor will only proceed with your LASIK surgery with the signed form. Even at this stage, if you have any doubts, clear them before the surgery.
During surgery
Numbing drops
In the first step, numbing drops are put into the eyes to ensure ease and get the patients’ support in following the instructions. LASIK surgery does not need any injections or general anesthesia during the process. It is a quick 15-20 minute procedure and can be done after numbing drops are put in.
Eye cleaning
The space around the eye is cleaned with betadine to decrease any risk of infection. You are not allowed to touch your hands to your face after cleaning.
Process
Once ready for surgery, you will be carried to the laser suite and laid down for the LASIK process. Your surgeon will program your personalized laser treatment with comprehensive pre-operative exam information.
If you have chosen to undergo traditional LASIK, a microkeratome (a motorized blade) will first create a flap over the cornea. You will feel a slight pressure on your eye while the flap is being made, and vision may be blurred for a few seconds. The flap is reflected on the side, and the excimer laser is placed over the eye and started. You may be exposed to new sounds and smells during the surgery.
The pulse of the excimer laser creates a ticking sound. As the laser removes corneal tissue, you may undergo a smell like burning flesh. Sophisticated computers will examine and follow your eyes during your LASIK process to most accurately direct the laser.
The flap is then put back into position, and the eye is protected with either an eye shield or goggles. You must wear this shield to stop rubbing your eye and putting pressure on it while you sleep for at least one week.
If you have chosen to undergo Femto Lasik- In Femto Lasik, the flap is made with the help of another laser called Femtosecond laser. No blade is operated, and after laser-assisted flap creation, the patient’s bed shifts under the excimer laser machine, and the same procedure is conducted.
After surgery
After the surgery, you may experience discomfort, tearing, and sometimes burning and itching. Your vision may need to be clearer. These symptoms should improve significantly within the first few days after LASIK surgery.
Routine follow-up: You will be asked to follow up for examination a day after LASIK surgery and then at routine intervals for the first few months.
DOS and don’ts
1. Avoid dirty water or dust entering the eyes for the first three weeks.
2. Shower carefully, ensuring no tap water or soap gets into the eye.
3. Hair spray and shaving lotion should not get into the eyes, so these products must be used cautiously for the first three weeks.
4. Swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean or using a sauna and Jacuzzi should be avoided for four weeks after surgery.
5. Avoid coloring or perming hair for at least two weeks after surgery
6. It is important to avoid exercise for two days after LASIK surgery and avoid sweating eyes for three weeks.
7. Sidestep dirty/dusty atmospheres for 2-3 weeks and use sunglasses outdoors in the home or office for the first 3-4 weeks.
8. Avoid eye makeup (especially old eye makeup) for three weeks. Strenuous work, gardening, mowing, working in your yard, and dusting should be avoided for at least seven days.
9. Avoiding activities that can cause flap problems
10.Sidestep rubbing your eyes for 2-3 weeks after LASIK surgery
11. Wear eye protection for at least the first month after resuming exercise and sports activities after LASIK surgery
Vision Stabilization
Complete vision stabilization may take 3-6 months. It is better to have patience until complete recovery after LASIK surgery. Intermittent blurring and night vision disturbances are common in the first 3-6 months.
Thanks to LASIK, millions of people worldwide are free of glasses. Since the early days several decades ago, the results of LASIK surgery have continued to improve, with new advanced technology leading to new types of LASIK surgery and improved surgeon skills. All of this should give some reassurance to anyone who is considering LASIK surgery but is still unsure what to expect.
