Theatre Booking

• After your consultation with Dr Botha, you will return to Reception to make your refractive theatre booking. 

  • ALL procedures will be done at our practice.

• An exact procedure time cannot be provided at this stage but you will be given an approximate time period for planning purposes. 

  • The day before your procedure, we will contact you to communicate what time you will need to arrive at our practice. 

Payment

• Medical aids in South Africa see these procedures as aesthetic.  Therefore, it is not covered by them.  

• The cost of your procedure needs to be settled by you beforehand.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

• Depending on your procedure, and whether it will involve one or both eyes, it may be necessary to arrange transport after surgery. 

  • This will be confirmed when you make your refractive theatre booking.

• NO CHANGE in eating and medication routines is necessary.

• Avoid bringing excessive accessories.

• Be sure to dress comfortably. The theatre gown provided to you on the day of surgery will be worn over your own clothes.

• Please do not wear any mascara or eye make-up on the day of surgery.

Anaesthesia, Eating and Drinking 

• The procedure is done under TOPICAL ANAESTHESIA. This means that drops are used to numb the eye/s.

  • The procedure is very quick. As a routine doing more than topical anesthesia is excessive.

• As the patient needs to be awake to fixate on a light and give certain feedback, no general anesthesia is used. 

  • If a patient is very anxious, then tablets are given to relax the patient. 

• You can eat and drink as normal before your procedure.

• NO PAIN is felt during the procedure.  

Admission Process

• Please arrive at Reception at the time provided to you the day before.

• You will be given a CONSENT FORM to read and sign before we begin the refractive theatre preparation process.

• One of our skilled Ophthalmic Assistants will then begin the procedure preparation process

Even though the procedure itself is usually quite short, the process surrounding the procedure can take some time. Preparation is also slightly different for each patient, therefore waiting times can vary. Please be patient during this process. We do the best we can to make the time in our practice as short and comfortable as possible.

Theatre Preparation

• Numbing drops will be used to prepare the eye/s for the procedure. 

• If you are feeling very anxious please communicate this to one of our Ophthalmic Assistants. 

  • Tablets can be provided to help you feel more relaxed.

Operation 

• Although the procedure is usually the same in its nature, variability in procedure type and techniques used will have different time factors. 

• You will be awake during the procedure as you will need to fixate on a light and provide certain feedback.

• The procedure should be comfortable for you. NO PAIN should be present during the procedure.

  • You can verbalize if there is any discomfort and we will immediately react to this. 

LASIK Post-Procedure Information

• SHIELDS are placed over the eyes immediately post-operatively. 

  • These are to be worn for 3 HOURS. They can then removed and the patient can continue as before.  

• Please SLEEP with the SHIELD/S for 1 night after the procedure only.

• DROPS will be prescribed. A SCRIPT will be provided immediately post-operation.

  • Drops are to be used until finished.

• You will receive a BAG with an APPOINTMENT CARD. This card gives the time of your post-operative consultation with Dr Botha the next morning.

• The eyes are reviewed on Day 1 and a routine follow-up is usually done 3 months post-operatively.

  • Patients can, however, contact the practice at any time if there are any issues or concerns.

• The only constraint post-operatively is NO EYE RUBBING.

• Recovery is quick. Expect to be close to refractive target on Day 1.

• The major post-operative issue is dry eyes for a few weeks to months.

TransPRK Post-Procedure Information

• Walk out with eyes open (no shields are placed over the eye/s) with CONTACT LENSES IN SITU.

• DROPS will be prescribed. A SCRIPT will be provided immediately post-operation.

  • Drops are to be used until finished.

• You will receive a BAG with an APPOINTMENT CARD. This card gives the time of your post-operative consultation with Dr Botha the next morning.

• The eyes are reviewed on Day 1 and then again on Day 4 to remove the contact lenses placed on the eye/s. 

  • A routine follow-up is usually done 3 months post-operatively. Patients can, however, contact the practice at any time if there are any issues or concerns.

• The only constraint post-operatively is NO EYE RUBBING.

• Major post-operative expectations / issues:

  • You will have functional vision immediately post-operatively, however, DRIVING VISION is not immediate.

  • Pain and discomfort are common on Day 1 and Day 2. Over-the-counter pain tablets are usually sufficient.

  • On Day 3 you will feel much more comfortable.

  • On Day 4 you can expect to have vision good enough to drive for short distances. Most patients are able to resume work. 

  • There are usually major vision fluctuations in the first week.

  • Minor fluctuations can be expected in the first month.

  • Patients will have dry eyes for a few weeks to months.