The operation is performed as an outpatient procedure in the comfort and convenience of the excimer laser surgical suite. The cornea is ready to be closed. The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes and both eyes are done the same day. Some patients report a slight, post-operative discomfort that can usually be alleviated with medications. Patients see a dramatic improvement in their vision within the first day.
Most patients return to their normal activities within a day or two.
Patients are always amazed at the ease of this procedure because of speed and comfort. Only topical anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye for the procedure. An eyelid holder is inserted to prevent blinking while the drops eliminate the reflex to blink. A suction ring is placed on the eye to secure the eye and maintain pressure within the eye while the corneal flap is created. A microkeratome, an automated microsurgical instrument similar in design to a carpenter's plane, is used to create a thin corneal flap which remains hinged beneath the upper eyelid.