Patient Information

Your Personal Guide for Refractive Surgery Day

Everything you need to know, step by step, to regain your visual freedom safely and with confidence.

This guide is for educational purposes. Any surgical decision must be based on a comprehensive medical assessment.

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1. Before You Come2. At the Clinic3. Post-op Care4. Emergencies

1. Preparation: Countdown to Your New Vision

Complete this checklist the morning of your surgery.

Contact Lenses

Stop wearing them as instructed at your consultation (minimum 5 days for soft lenses, longer for rigid).

Morning Hygiene

Take a shower and wash your face thoroughly. Arrive with clean skin.

No Cosmetics

Zero makeup, perfumes or cologne. These products interfere with the laser.

Comfortable Clothing

Wear a shirt or jacket with buttons or zip (easy to remove without going near your face).

Bring a CompanionRequired

Mandatory. You will not be able to drive after surgery.

2. What Will Happen at the Clinic

A clear step-by-step of your procedure day.

1

Reception

Document signing and preparation.

  • Arrive with clean hands; do not touch your face.
2

Anaesthesia

Eye drops. Zero pain.

  • Powerful anaesthetic drops (you will feel no pain at all).
  • You will be asked to stare at a fixation light.
3

Surgery

10–15 min per eye with cutting-edge laser technology.

  • You will feel light pressure and hear the laser for a few seconds.
  • Stay still and follow the light (the machine does the rest).
4

Discharge

Brief rest, then home with your companion.

  • Keep eyes closed in darkness for the first few hours.
  • No screens immediately after surgery.

3. Your Golden Rules for a Perfect Recovery

Follow these instructions carefully. Your cooperation is essential.

Eye Drop Protocol

You will receive a personalised protocol with antibiotic drops, corticosteroids and artificial tears. The exact schedule may be adjusted slightly depending on how your recovery progresses. Always wash your hands before applying any drops.

Do NOT do these

  • Rub your eyes
  • Apply makeup (1 week)
  • Swim in pools or the sea (at least 2 weeks)
  • Drive on the day of surgery

Recommended

  • Sunglasses outdoors from day 1
  • Artificial tears frequently
  • Use protective shields when sleeping
  • 20-20-20 rule when using screens

Back to Work

With LASIK, you can typically return in a few days; PRK requires more downtime. Avoid physical exertion initially.

Water & Makeup

Avoid swimming pools, the sea, and eye makeup for 1-2 weeks. Be careful when showering.

Screens & The 20-20-20 Rule

When using screens: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Use artificial tears frequently.

Sun Protection

Sunglasses are essential outdoors from day 1, especially after PRK, to prevent corneal opacities.

4. Symptoms: Normal vs Urgent

✅ NORMAL & EXPECTED

Attending check-ups is vital. Expect to experience:

  • Fluctuating or slightly blurry vision initially.
  • Halos or glare around lights at night.
  • A sensation of "sand" or moderate dry eye.

🚨 CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY

Call us right away if you experience:

  • Severe pain not relieved by your prescribed painkillers.
  • A sudden, sharp decrease or loss of vision.
  • Severe redness, thick discharge, or a very "dirty" eye sensation.

Following all postoperative instructions and attending check-ups is just as important as the laser surgery itself. Your collaboration is vital for a stellar outcome!

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The eye is fully numbed with anaesthetic drops. You may feel slight pressure or sense that we are working around the area, but you will feel no pain whatsoever.

It's the most common concern, but there's no need to worry. The laser has an ultra-fast tracking system (eye-tracker) that stops automatically if it detects a sudden movement. We also use a small instrument to keep your eye gently open without any discomfort.

The surgery itself takes just 10–15 minutes per eye, but including preparation beforehand and rest afterwards, you should plan to be with us for approximately one hour.

Recovery is very fast. As you leave you will have some blurring (like looking underwater), but most patients notice a dramatic improvement within 24 hours. Final vision stabilises fully over the following weeks.

We recommend giving your eyes a complete rest on day one. Keeping them closed and relaxed helps healing. From the following day you can use screens in moderation, always keeping the eye well lubricated with artificial tears.

Yes, completely normal during the first few hours (it's the eye's natural response to the procedure). Do not rub your eyes; the prescribed drops will relieve that sensation quickly.

Medically: you must not drive on the day of surgery. We will confirm at your first follow-up (usually within a few days) that your vision is adequate to drive safely. Legally (Spain): the Highway Code requires waiting approximately one month after refractive surgery (three months for professional drivers) to renew or obtain a licence, submitting a surgical report. The licence is then issued with a maximum one-year validity for the first year. Additionally, if your current licence states you must wear glasses or lenses and you no longer need them after surgery, you must update it at the Jefatura de Tráfico (until you do, the condition on the licence still legally applies).

Office work: 24–48 hours. Light sport: 3–4 days. Contact sport or swimming: you will need to wait at least 2 weeks to avoid impact or infection.

The surgery permanently reshapes the cornea to correct your current prescription. However, the eye is a living organ and presbyopia (reading glasses) will develop naturally with age, a process independent of your myopia or astigmatism correction.

Ready for an assessment?

A detailed preoperative study is required to determine your safest option. Contact us to schedule your visit.

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