General guidelines
- DO NOT remove your contact lens(es). The doctor will remove it for you.
- DO NOT rub your eyes following surgery for the first week.
- If a contact lens falls out, DO NOT attempt to reinsert it. Continue to use the medications as directed and contact us.
- Use crushed ice packs (in Ziploc) over closed eyelids, to reduce your discomfort for ten minutes every hour while you are awake.
- NO strenuous physical activity while contact lens is in place.
- It is OK to shower, but try to avoid getting shower water in your eyes for two weeks following surgery.
- Try to stay away from smoke, dusty areas or chemical vapors for two weeks following PRK.
- Wear your sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection whenever you are outside.
- DO NOT drive or operate machinery/appliances until advised by the doctor after contact lens removal.
- DO NOT swim in pool, ocean, or use hot tubs, steam baths, or saunas for one month after surgery.
- Some eye drops may sting for up to two minutes or cause temporary blurred vision. Chilling all of your eye drops in your refrigerator may help make them less irritating.
- DO NOT drive unless you feel safe and confident with your vision.
Surgical discomfort
Use the medication as prescribed by your doctor.
The discomfort (light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, tearing, redness, swelling) usually lasts between 3 to 5 days. This ceases once the corneal epithelium has fully repopulated the surface of the cornea. The bandage contact lens allows proper repopulation of the corneal epithelium. Once there is complete reepithelialization, the corneal nerves are no longer exposed, therefore, the discomfort stops.
Diet
- Regular diet the day before and after surgery
- Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid a day (non- alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages)
How to use eye drops
- Wash your hands before administration of eye drop medications.
- DO NOT touch the eye dropper, or let dropper touch your eye.
- Shake eye drops well before using.
- Tilt your head back, gazing upward and pull down on lower eyelid, making a pouch.
- Place dropper directly over eye and administer prescribed number of drops.
- Look downward and gently close your eye for 1 or 2 minutes.
- Try not to blink or rub eye.
- DO NOT rinse the eye dropper.
- WAIT 1 minute between every eye drop administered.
Medications
- Vitamin C 1000mg/tablet. Take 1 tablet once a day to facilitate wound healing.
- Antibiotic (ZYMAR, VIGAMOX) 1 drop to operative eye(s). Ask your physician regarding the frequency of the medication. Begin following your surgery.
- Artificial Tears (TEARS NATURALLE FREE, HYABAK, HIALID) 1 drop to operative eye(s) as needed when you feel like your eyes are drying. Ask your physician regarding the frequency of the medication. Begin following your surgery.
- Steroid (FML, FLULON, FLAREX) 1 drop to operative eye(s) until advised to begin tapering by the doctor after contact lens removal. Ask your physician regarding the frequency of the medication.
- NSAIDs (ACULAR) 1 drop to operative eye(s) for pain. Ask your physician regarding the frequency of the medication. Begin following your surgery.
- Crushed Ice (in a Ziploc) therapy is also highly recommended. You can place crushed ice on your eyelids for 10-20 minutes for each hour you are awake for the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
For Emergencies
- Call us up at Asian Hospital at +632 8771 9253 from 9am-6pm from Mondays to Saturdays. After hours call the clinic mobile phone at +63917 795 2020, or your physician.
- Call us up at St. Luke's Global at +632 8828 2020 from 8am-5pm from Mondays to Saturdays. After hours call the mobile phone at +63917 840 2020, or your physician.
