The following instructions are intended to help you prepare for your planned LASIK surgery.

Contact Lenses:
to keep the eye free from any irritation, swelling, and induced curvature changes from contacts:
• Leave soft contact lenses out of the eye(s) planned for surgery for a minimum of 4 days, preferably 7 days prior to your examination and your surgery.
• Leave hard or gas permeable contact lenses out of the eye(s) planned for surgery for 3 weeks prior to your exam and your surgery.

Glasses:
after discussion with Dr. Ruff, it may be recommended that you obtain a lens without power for the operated eye, if a significant interval will exist between eye surgeries.

Surgical Center Arrival Time:
• It is important for you to make arrangements to arrive at the Golf Surgical Center on time to allow proper preparation for the surgery and to consider the time requirements of others who may be undergoing surgery the same day.
• Please make arrangements for someone to drive you home after surgery, as your eyes may be blurry and uncomfortable.

Antibiotic Drops:
• You will be provided with a prescription for antibiotic eye drops. Allow at least five minutes between drops.
• Two days before the procuedure, begin using the drops three times a day.
• On the day of surgery, place one drop in the surgery eye(s) upon waking in the morning.
• Place one drop in the surgery eye(s) when leaving for the Golf Surgical Center.

Make-up/Perfume/Cologne:
• All eye make-up should be removed from the eye(s) being prepared for surgery at least three (3) days prior to surgery. (Even with great care in removing eye make-up, fine particles may be left and could be embedded in the cornea at the time of surgery)

• DO NOT WEAR perfume or cologne on the day of surgery.
• DO NOT USE facial creams or moisturizers the day of surgery.

Clothing:
• It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing that buttons up the front on the day of surgery.
• Please leave all jewelry at home, with the exception of a wedding bands, all other jewelry will need to be removed.

Operative Procedures:
• When taken to the Laser Treatment Room, eye drops will be applied and your eyes will be examined by the doctor under the laser microscope.
• Dr. Ruff will walk you through each stage of the surgery.
• The cornea will be marked and the surgery will begin, taking approximately 5 minutes to complete. (The laser will actually operate for about 1 minute per eye.
• A device will be used to keep the eyelid open.
• The corneal flap will then be elevated with the keratome.
• After the treatment is completed, the flap will be repositioned and allowed to adhere for about 2 minutes.
• You will then proceed to an examination room where your eye(s) will be checked and you will be given written post-operative instructions and medication.

Post-Operative Care:
• You will be scheduled for a follow-up visit on the day following surgery at Dr. Ruff’s office. Please, bring your eye drops with you to this appointment.
• Follow up appointments will be scheduled per individual patient needs.
• The drops typically may be discontinued five (5) days after surgery, NEVER DISCONTINUE USING ANY MEDICAITON WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING DR. RUFF.

Sunglasses:
• It is recommended that you wear sunglasses while outdoors during the post-operative period for approximately 7 days, as you are likely to be sensitive to sunlight.

Glare and Starburst:
•You may notice more glare and starbursts than usual, especially at night, in sunlight, or with oncoming traffic. This is noted more in people with astigmatism. This will diminish over the next few months. Most people observe that is no worse than with contact lens wear.

Fluctuation of Vision:
•This is not a dramatic phenomenon, but you may notice gradual fluctuations from week to week during the first three months following surgery.

Activity:
• DO NOT RUB YOUR EYE(S).
• It is recommended that you avoid contact sports and swimming for one week following surgery. Other physical activity is not restricted.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ABOVE MATERIAL, OR THE PLANNED SURGERY, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AT (847) 295-0001