A comprehensive vision correction examination is the only way to know which vision-correction procedure is best for you. We do this at no charge at our laser eye clinic because we believe so strongly in giving patients all the information necessary to make the right treatment choice. We will only recommend a procedure that is medically appropriate for your unique eyes, and sometimes there are more than one option.

While your exam involves complex diagnostic testing, it is also our opportunity to learn more about you, your expectations, & your lifestyle. All of these factors play an important role in recommending the best procedure for you. Your visit will also include dilation of your pupils which will affect your eyesight for about 4-6 hours, as you may have experienced with a routine eye exam.

The complete consultation and exam can take up to 90 minutes. After all your data is first collected by your technician in our specialized diagnostic rooms, the doctor will continue with a full eye exam and consultation in a private room, discuss your procedure recommendation(s), & answer any questions you may have. You may also have family or friends join you during your consultation. Questions concerning pricing, insurance, and, if you choose to proceed with a procedure, scheduling and pre-op instructions will also be discussed, all in the comfort of your private room.

We’d like you to leave your contacts out prior to your treatment. When you arrive the day of your procedure, and after carefully reading through the entirety of the literature you will receive from your doctor, you will sign a copy of the informed consent in our office. You will receive a Recovery Kit with everything you need to heal after your surgery, including comfort drops, antibiotic drops & steroid drops, saving you a trip to the pharmacy. We will explain & give you written instructions for your post-procedure care, which includes instructions for using these eye drops. We will provide you with a cool compress for your ride home, but its also a good idea to have one waiting for you in your refrigerator. It will feel great on your eyelids after your procedure.

We understand that this procedure may create nervousness & fear. It’s your eyes! So we’ve worked very hard to make it easy for you. We offer an oral sedative to help you relax, & we encourage you to take it if medically appropriate. In our Austin location, we offer wine or beer in lieu of the sedative, if you prefer. We want your experience to be as comfortable as possible.

All of your post-operative appointments will be scheduled before your procedure, so you can simply go home when the procedure is complete. Your surgeon will gently talk you through each step of the process, so you’ll know what you will feel, see, & hear. Your surgeon also monitors your eye through the microscope at all times. The entire procedure takes about three minutes per eye; the first laser takes 20 seconds & the second laser takes between 10-50 seconds, depending on the amount of your prescription.

Immediately following the procedure, you will notice a change in your vision. It’s always foggy at first, but most people can see well enough to read a clock from across the room. Your eyes will be numb for 15-25 minutes, then they will start to water & burn. After LASIK, this discomfort usually lasts 4-5 hours. To help with the burning, we supply you with comfort drops in the Recovery Kit that have a numbing medicine & artificial tears in them. After you arrive home, place a cool compress on your eyelids to relieve any discomfort. Try to sleep or rest with your eyes closed. You may resume normal activities the same or following day. You can lift weights & exercise, but do not rub your eyes. Your vision may still be blurry; this is a normal part of your healing process and will clear in the days and weeks following the procedure. Most people see well enough to work the next day.