What can you expect during the procedure?
Before the procedure
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis. It will be performed in a specially equipped laser room. There is no requirement for a special surgical center. Once you have settled comfortably, drops will be used to numb your eye. No injections or needles are used.
First, your ophthalmologist will apply a drop to make your pupil smaller. Constricting the pupil makes the iris stretched and thin. After this, the doctor will apply a special contact lens to your eye to focus on the iris. After this lens is applied, small eye movements are reduced. The lens keeps the eyelids separated so that you won’t blink. A gel will be placed on your eye to make sure that the contact lens does not scratch your eye. This jelly may remain on your eye for about 30 minutes, leading to blurring vision and foreign body sensation.
During the procedure
You will see a bright light like a photographer’s flash from a small distance during the procedure. As soon as the laser hits the iris tissue, you will feel a pinch-like sensation. Otherwise, the whole procedure is painless.
After the procedure
The intraocular pressure will be checked about half an hour after the laser treatment. Eye drops will be prescribed to relieve any signs of inflammation like pain and redness of the eye. Your doctor will schedule follow-ups. Follow-ups are important to monitor your eye pressure. So you should not miss any appointment with your ophthalmologist.
The doctor may ask you to continue the eye drops that make your pupil smaller for a few days. This will temporarily cause blurred vision, especially at night. Your doctor may use other drops to reduce intraocular pressure or inflammation.
You may expect to resume work immediately, but some may have problems immediately resuming work. Your eyes may remain red and sensitive to light for a few days after the procedure. You may also experience foreign body sensations in your eye for a few days.