For many, opting for LASIK surgery in Singapore can be a life-changing decision. If you have decided that glasses and contact lenses are cumbersome and you are hoping to improve your quality of life with LASIK, epi-LASIK or ReLEx SMILE surgery in Singapore, understanding the complete timeline – from consultation to recovery – will better prepare you for this journey towards clear vision.
Lang Eye Centre is a trusted LASIK surgery clinic located at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, which provides an entire suite of refractive surgical options including LASIK, epi-LASIK and implantable contact lens (ICL) surgery. This article will bring you through every step and what to expect at each and every stage.
Scheduling a LASIK evaluation and what to bring
Your LASIK journey starts with scheduling a LASIK evaluation in Singapore with a qualified eye care specialist. Lang Eye Centre, located at Mount Elizabeth Novena, offers a comprehensive, detailed evaluation to ascertain your suitability for refractive surgery in Singapore.
Things to bring to your consultation:
- Past medications and any past eye-related medical history
- Your current eye prescription (glasses or contact lenses)
- Lay off soft lenses for 3 days and hard lenses for 14 days before the evaluation
- Sunglasses, if you plan to drive, as the pupils will dilate
Lang Eye Centre at Mount Elizabeth Novena adopts up-to-date diagnostics to measure corneal thickness and shape, refractive errors and eye pressure.
Timeline for evaluation, procedure, and recovery
Evaluation day
At your chosen eye doctor or eye clinic in Singapore, your eye care specialist will discuss with you the most suitable refractive surgery procedure (LASIK, epi-LASIK or ICL) based on your eye condition, lifestyle and occupation. The evaluation will take about 3 hours.
Schedule a surgery day
When you have decided to proceed with LASIK surgery, you may schedule the procedure within days to weeks from evaluation day.
Surgery day
The procedure itself takes about 15 minutes for both eyes. Whether you opt for LASIK or epi-LASIK, the time in and out of the clinic on surgery day is about 2 hours. Prior to surgery, we may need to repeat some tests, collect payment, sign off consent, explain medication and prep for surgery.
Recovery – First 24 to 48 hours:
- Expect discomfort, irritation, stinging, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light and dry and scratchy eyes.
- Some may experience hazy or blurry vision for 1 to 2 weeks, especially for near reading.
- Vision may fluctuate daily in terms of clarity, but will improve gradually.
- There may be a bandaged contact lens in the eye, which helps with healing.
- To strictly follow the medication instructions from your eye surgeon in Singapore.
- Most can regain functional vision to return to most daily activities the next day.
What to expect 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery?
One week post-surgery:
- Vision should stabilise quite nicely, though some may experience seeing haloes or glare at night
- Attending your follow-up with your eye surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Novena is vital.
- Avoid water and contact sports.
One month:
- Most should attain 90% to 100% of visual clarity by this time.
- Can resume water and contact sports.
Three months:
- Vision should have stabilised by this time.
- At this point in time, you can consider an enhancement if needed.
- If all is well, there is no need for further post-op reviews unless you experience vision issues post-surgery.
Milestones for stabilised vision and check-ups
The healing process differs between procedures – epi-LASIK surgery patients will require a longer healing period and more discomfort post-surgery, while LASIK surgery patients’ vision recovery is much faster, and the discomfort level is much lower post-surgery.
Key milestones:
- 1 week: Functional vision returns
- 1 month: Resume all activities
- 3 months: Vision usually fully stabilises by then
- 6 to 12 months: Some may want to have a final post-op review with your eye care specialist
When to resume travel, work, and sports post-LASIK surgery?
Travel
You can do air travel within a few days post-LASIK surgery.
Work
Most can resume work the next day if need be. Outdoor or physical work that may injure the eye may require a week of post-LASIK surgery.
Sports
Can resume most activities except water and contact sports, to avoid for 1 month.
Always adhere to post-op dos and don’ts and medication instructions by your eye surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Novena.
Final thoughts
LASIK surgery in Singapore has been proven to be a safe and effective refractive surgery method when performed on suitable candidates. At Lang Eye Centre located at Mount Elizabeth Novena, we offer the iLASIK, a customised Wavefront-guided LASIK surgery which aims to provide a better quality of vision and seeing fewer haloes and starbursts at night.
Entrusting your vision to a reputable and trusted eye care specialist will guide you through every stage of the LASIK process.
With the right LASIK specialist and LASIK centre, your path to visual freedom is just an evaluation away. Contact Lang Eye to schedule your LASIK evaluation at [email protected] or +65 6684 1000.
