How
will I know if I am suitable
for Zyoptix? You may be a good candidate if you:
Feel that spectacles/contact lenses are a nuisance
in your job, sporting activities or personal life
Suffer from the effect of scattered light (aberrations)
Have had stable vision for the past 2 years
Have healthy eyes, good general health and are
not taking medication that affects the healing process
Personal
factors to consider
Career
People in certain occupations - e.g.
the Armed Forces or the Police -– may be prohibited
from undergoing laser treatment. Always ask your
employer for advice.
Age
Your surgeon might think it wise to postpone treatment
if you are under 21.
TIme
The treatment itself only takes a few minutes,
but all the tests and aftercare visits over a 3-month
period will require your time and commitment . You
might also need check-ups at 6 and 12 months.
Money
Zyoptix may be more expensive than standard LASIK.
Medical
factors to consider
You will probably be told you are unsuitable for Zyoptix
if you have contraindicated eye or health problems.
Ocular (eye) health
Your surgeon will examine you for severe dry eye
conditions, infections, allergies, any corneal abnormalities
or eye disease (either existing or within your family)
that could affect the healing process.
General health
Your surgeon will check with you that you do not
suffer from diseases that prevent you from having
laser treatment and may well contact your GP. You
will have to postpone your treatment if you are
pregnant or breast-feeding.
Medication
Certain medicines might interact with the drops
you will be given. Some examples are - medication
for migraines (triptans), hormone replacement therapy
(HRT) antihistamines and others. Your surgeon will
advise you if and how your medication effects laser
treatment. Be sure to tell your surgeon about any
current or past health problems.
What
prescription range can
Zyoptix correct?
People may not realise how suitable they are for laser
treatment, because they wrongly believe that their eyes
are not weak enough. In fact, many patients with mild
to moderate prescriptions undergo LASIK. But because
Zyoptix removes less tissue than Bausch and Lomb standard
LASIK, it can be performed on people previously unsuitable
for laser eye treatments - such as those with higher
prescriptions.
The limit of what can be corrected varies from person
to person, from surgeon to surgeon and from machine
to machine. As a general guide, the Zyoptix system can
correct:
To about -12.00 dioptres of near-sight.
The range for astigmatism is up to - 7.00 dioptres
(with near-sight)
Does
it hurt?
Zyoptix is a virtually painless operation. During the
procedure, your vision will become blurred and you may
be aware of a slight movement on your eye and a sensation
of pressure. After the treatment, your eyes may feel slightly
gritty and watery for a few hours, but you should not
experience any significant pain.
What
will you experience right
after Zyoptix treatment?
After the treatment, you may experience some after-effects
of the surgery. Most of these are quite normal and will
disappear quickly. They could include: dry eyes and a
gritty feeling after long periods of sleep or in very
dry environments. You will be given drops for this. hazy,
unstable vision and glare with night vision; possibly
an overall tenderness of the cornea.
Is
it permanent?
Yes, Zyoptix is permanent. One treatment is all that most
people need, however,5 - 10% of patients need some additional
fine-tuning (re-treatment) to get the best desired possible
vision correction.
How
quickly will my eyes recover?
You should be able to see better 1 – 2 hours after
the treatment has been completed, but you’ll notice
the really dramatic difference when you wake up the next
day. Even though your sight will be reasonably good soon
after Zyoptix, your eyesight will not have recovered sufficiently
to allow you to drive. You should be able to drive after
your first check-up – but do not drive until your
surgeon says it is safe to do so.
Most people soon get back to their normal routine –
even going back to work the next day. However, this will
depend on your type of work – you should take 2-3
days’ rest if you use a computer, for example. Avoid
contact sports and swimming for 2-3 weeks.
What
are the alternatives if you
are not suitable for Zyoptix?
Most people who want Zyoptix are able to have it, but
if not, your surgeon will be happy to discuss alternatives
with you. For example, PRK or prescription implanted
intraocular lenses may be good alternatives.
