Common Laser Questions

This treatment category involves using a laser to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors. Individuals with refractive errors are unable to focus light properly due to the shape of their corneas. Since the light doesn’t focus properly on the retina, vision is blurry without corrective eyewear or lenses among those with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Laser-assisted procedures address the focus problem, reshaping the cornea that leads to poor eyesight and the need for prescription glasses and/or contact lenses.

Although LASIK is the most recognised laser vision correction procedure, it is not the only option available at The Vision Surgeon. Dr. Rylan Hayes also offers an advanced form of PRK. LASIK treatment is performed by making a thin flap in the cornea with one laser before reshaping with another, while photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) involves simultaneously removing and reshaping the outermost layer of tissue. PRK is often advised for those patients who are not good candidates for LASIK.

Traditional PRK uses special tools to manually remove the outermost layer of tissue. At Lasersight Sunshine Coast, Dr. Hayes has the training and equipment to provide “no-touch” PRK aka transPRK. This alternative does as its name suggests – no tools touch your eye during treatment making it quicker and easily tolerated. This feature makes no-touch PRK an appealing option for individuals who may be concerned about staying still or post-treatment recovery and discomfort associated with conventional treatment. This technique allows for precise treatment, minimal tissue disruption, less downtime and discomfort, and faster healing.

Before your surgery, you may be asked to:

• Stop wearing contacts – Wearing glasses instead helps your cornea to return to its natural shape, which is crucial to take accurate measurements and support successful surgery. Depending on your type of contact lens, this period may range from 1-4 weeks.
• Use your lubricants – Optimising your ocular surface leading up to surgery, and during recovery, will improve accuracy and healing. Preservative free lubricating drops can be used liberally, additional measures if appropriate for you such as warm compress and massage of the eyelids and fish oil supplements to improve tear film, or eyelid cleansing wipes to remove debris.
• Setup your recovery – Ensure you have everything you need easily accessible after your procedure. Water bottle, snacks, clean tissues, podcasts, and eyedrop schedule can all be organised in advance.
• Focus on drinking lots of water – Staying well-hydrated helps to minimise the risk of dry eye post-surgery. Avoid alcohol and other dehydrating beverages.
• Arrange for reliable transportation – Due to post-treatment blurry vision and sensitivity, it’s essential to have someone you can trust to drive you to and from our office.
• Cleanse well and arrive with a fresh, makeup-free face – Creams, lotions, eyeliner, and other products increase your risk of infection.

You will be provided with your eyedrops. This contains all your essential medications, making it convenient and easy to relieve inflammation, prevent infection, and support healthy tear film. Be sure to wear any protective eyeshields as instructed by Dr. Hayes. Be kind to your eyes. Don’t engage in activities that require intense focus. Rest them. To prevent complications, don’t rub your eyes and take great care when bathing to keep water and soap out of your eyes. Strenuous activities and the use of eye makeup should be avoided at first as your eyes heal. And sunglasses should always be worn when outside or exposed to UV.

Patients are thrilled when they can see significantly better without glasses or contacts in just 24 to 48 hours. And within a week vision is usually much of the way to end results, however fluctuations in vision are not unusual as your eyes adjust and heal. Optimal vision correction may be achieved in the weeks to months following treatment, with larger corrections taking longer to fully heal than smaller ones.

This may be a better alternative if you have thinner corneas, corneal irregularities, dry eyes, and engage in certain sports or professions where there is a risk of the flap made with LASIK becoming dislocated as a result of contact/trauma. As with all treatments by The Vision Surgeon, Dr. Hayes designs bespoke solutions tailored to your vision needs and lifestyle.