The Day of Your Surgery

Vision correction surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in the Laser Suite of Vanderbilt LASIK.  Although the surgery itself is brief, patients should plan for about a two-hour visit.

LASIK is a non-invasive surgery so IVs and anesthesia are not necessary. You will be awake and alert during the procedure.  Anesthetic drops will be used to numb your eyes and a sterile drape will be placed around them. The physician will use an  eyelid holder to gently keep your eyelids open during the surgery.  The surgery is not painful and should take about 15 minutes to complete both eyes.

At Vanderbilt LASIK, LASIK surgeries are an ALL LASER procedure – and do not use a surgical blade required for traditional LASIK.  Instead, an infrared laser is used to safely create a corneal flap, the thin flap of tissue that the surgeon folds back in order to perform your LASIK procedure. A state-of-the-art tracking laser optimizes laser centration and accuracy of the procedure to correct your specific visual limitations.

Immediately afterward, you will be given plastic glasses to protect your eyes and will rest in the post-operative area. Before being released, post-operative medications and activity restrictions will be carefully reviewed.  

Preparing for Surgery:

• Wear comfortable clothing
• Remove make-up and earrings
• No perfume or cologne
• Discontinue wearing contact lenses 3 days before surgery
• Eat a light meal before the procedure
• Arrive 30 minutes to one hour before your surgery for pre-operative preparation
• Arrange for a ride home – it will NOT be safe to drive the day of your surgery
• Plan for one to two days away from work
• Plan to relax for the rest of the day following your surgery