Chapter 6- Post-Operative Pain Management

POST-OPERATIVE CARE AND PAIN MANAGEMENT WITH

LASIK AND ADVANCED SURFACE ABLATION

Post-operative care

1. I use an antibiotic, Zymar (gatifloxacin), four times a day for 2 days before surgery and then four times a day until the contact lens is removed.
2. I use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drop, Acular LS (ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution) for the four days that the contact lens is on the eye after surgery.
3. I use a steroid drop, Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate) for two weeks, starting the day of surgery.
4. I recommend no eye make-up for one week following the surgery. When the patient resumes the use of makeup it should be new (especially mascara).
5. I recommend that the patient avoid getting water or shampoo in the eye for four days.

Pain management

1. I recommend that a small bag of crushed ice or frozen vegetables be used on the lids to reduce pain and swelling.
2. I prescribe Mepergan Forte (meperidine hydrochloride) for pain management. I recommend it be used frequently for the first 24 hours to reduce pain and allow the patient to sleep.
3. I recommend that the patient try to sleep as much as possible for the first 24 hours following surgery.
4. I furnish a Refresh Tears with a dilute anesthetic added to be used the initial 24 hours following surgery as often as necessary to reduce pain. It must be stopped after 24 hours or it will delay healing.

Reference

Buratto,L. and Brint, S.: Custom LASIK: Surgical Techniques and Complications. Thorofare, N.J.Slack. 2003. p 294-300. [book]

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