The surgical experience

The laser procedure is performed at the laser center. You wear normal street clothes. Drops are the only anesthesia. Sedation is not necessary, but you may take an oral tranquilizer.

Your eyelids and lashes are cleansed and held apart with a sticky drape. You will see a blinking light - you need to focus on that light during the procedure.

When the flap is lifted you will have a sensation of pressure and grayness of vision for about 10 seconds. Then you focus on the blinking light and the laser treatment begins: the laser makes a rapid clicking sound. Upon completion of the laser treatment, the flap is replaced. It takes about 3 minutes to stick down. Drops are placed in your eyes to aid in the healing phase. A protective shield is placed over your eyes - to be worn whenever you sleep for 10 days after the laser procedure. The whole procedure takes under 5 minutes per eye.

The flap may be created with a precision instrument, a laser called "Intralase," or possibly the operation will be without any flap.