An overview of what to expect on the day of surgery:

• You will arrive approximately one hour prior to your procedure.
• After registration a nursing history will be completed.
• Valium is offered to all patients.
• Antibiotic and topical numbing drops will be put into the eyes prior to your procedure.
• The approximate time spent in the laser suite is 20 minutes for both eyes!
• You will need a driver to drive you home.

Dr. Lohse performs LASIK every month.  Please call our office to scheduled a LASIK consultation.

Depending on your refraction, we can determine the likelihood of reaching 20/30 or better. Many patients see 20/20 or better, and over the past several years, 100% of our patients have seen 20/30 or better. 20/40 vision is required to drive without correction, day or night in the state of Illinois.

LASIK procedures are done in our office, The Springfield Clinic Eye Institute, located in the Main Campus West Building, 3rd floor, 1025 S 6th St, Springfield, IL. Prior to surgery the following are required:

1. No contact lens wear for 1 week before your procedure.
2. No eye makeup for 1 week before your procedure.
3. You may eat a light breakfast/lunch on the day of your procedure.
4. Please arrange for a driver to take you home. Plan on being there for approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
5. Use Muro 128 (5% solution), 1 drop, 4 times a day in both eyes (if you are having both done) for one week before your procedure. DO NOT use these drops the day of the procedure. This is an "over-the-counter" drop and may be purchased at any pharmacy. These drops may sting.
6. Do not wear makeup, perfume, cologne or aerosol deoderant the day of your procedure.

Should you have any further questions, do not hesitate to call our staff, at the Springfield Clinic Eye Institute 217.528.7541or 800.444.7541.

1. Do not rub your eyes for one month. You may gently blot the lashes with a Kleenex if your eyes are closed.
2. Use Zymar and Pred Forte, one drop in the eye four times daily for five days. Take special care not to touch the eye with the tip of the dropper on the bottle. Your drops may sting. Remember to shake the Pred Forte before each use.
3. Wear eye shield at bedtime for one month.
4. Avoid getting hit in the eye or getting anything into the eye. Avoid contact sports (racquet sports, etc.) for one month. After this time, wear protective athletic eyewear. This eyewear must be certified by the Protective Eyewear Certification Council and bear a sticker that shows the product has been tested and complies with the council's standards. This same eyewear should worn when doing yardwork.
5. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, sauna or contact with possibly contaminated water for one month. Avoid getting water from the shower in your eyes for the first three to four days after surgery.
6. No mascara for one week. When resuming, use new mascara.
7. Dry eye problems are common for up to three months after LASIK surgery. If your eyes are dry to begin with, this can be more of a problem. We advise using Refresh, Refresh Plus or Genteal artificial tears as needed for dry eye. You may use them in between your medicated drops during the first five days, and you may use them as often as you wish following the first five days. Frequent use of artificial tears can make your eyes more comfortable and improve your vision quicker.
8. Do not use any other eye drops except those specified above.
9. You may experience mild fluctuation in vision during the first few weeks. This is normal.
10. Any redness or irritation will gradually subside after you begin the eye drops. If you notice increasing redness, pain, pus or blurred vision, call Dr. Lohse immediately.
11. It is normal to have red spots on the white part of your eye. This is caused by the suction device and will slowly resolve.

Call our office at 217.528.7541 or 800.444.7541 should you experience any problems.