Elective surgery such as laser treatment has been put on pause for the longest time since the pandemic hit last year. Hospitals and medical centers stayed focused on more important procedures that were urgent.
However, now that restrictions have eased, it has become legal to get laser surgery treatments once more in selected states. But while now would be a good time than later, there are still people conflicting on whether it is a good idea to get such a procedure. Here are some common dilemmas and how you can deal with them.
Is it Safe to Get Laser Treatment Amidst COVID-19?
Yes, as long as safety procedures are followed. Elective surgery, like laser surgery, while not considered emergency procedures, can help improve your vision before it gets any worse. Laws and protocols are in place to make sure elective surgery practices are up to code. Doctors double up on masks, and practices are more sterilized than ever. Patients are required to comply with safety procedures as well. Wearing a mask is required on the premises, and social distancing is observed in waiting rooms.
Advantages of Getting Laser Treatment Now
- More time to rest and recover
Take advantage of the downtime for your recovery. Because of the pandemic, people have fewer opportunities to leave their homes, and work has become remote. The people you live with, who most likely work from home, can take care of you fully without taking a leave of absence. You can also take a few days to recover and still not be required to report to an office after your time is up.
- Fewer people scheduled each day
To comply with safety protocols, clinics work at half the capacity. The waiting room won’t be full, and you don’t have to wait your turn for too long. Appointments are booked ahead of time, and only a few people can be accommodated each day. So as long as you set a date that works for you, there will be less hassle in getting it done.
- Better now than later
For most patients, laser surgery is not recommended to “put it off,” especially for those at an older age. Laser surgery can help your vision improve. It is best to get it at the soonest time possible, so your eyesight doesn’t worsen over time. Once it’s over and done with, all you need to do is recover and get back to living life with a new pair of eyes.
Preparations for Laser Treatment
Before the Surgery
Before calling a clinic to set things up, you should see a specialist and have a procedure recommended to you. They will perform certain eye tests on you and assess if you are a good candidate for laser treatment.
When the doctor gives you the green light, set an appointment for your procedure that is most convenient for you. Take note of the recovery period. This will make a dent in your schedule, so you have to tell any plans made prior that you can’t make it because of the downtime you need to take to rest.
Enlist someone’s help before the procedure, preferably someone who lives close by or someone you live with. This surgery will cause temporary vision loss, which means you need someone around to drive you and pick you up on the day and run errands for you.
It is also important to stop taking medication that your doctor recommends you to pause pre-surgery. Anything that your doctor advises you not to do pre-surgery has to be followed to a tee to ensure everything goes well.
And of course, get a good night’s rest before the pro
Day of the Surgery
Do not wear any eye makeup or false eyelashes before the surgery to prevent any irritation from occurring near your eyes. You can come in showered and nicely groomed, but leave every form of makeup at home.
Always bring your mask and hand sanitizer. While there are masks and sanitation stations available in the clinic, you still should carry your own.
You will go through one final assessment before heading into the procedure. Be transparent and inform your doctor if you are experiencing any eye discomfort before the surgery. If your eyes were irritated or showed signs of redness before the procedure, it may be a cause for alarm.
Laser Treatment Aftercare Tips
Take time to rest. Your vision may fully restore within six to twelve hours, but full recovery takes six to twelve months. Make sure that you don’t strain your eyes the days after your procedure. Take time off work if your job is to crunch numbers on a screen. Instead of reading or watching movies, try listening to podcasts.
Avoid strenuous activity after the procedure. You will be sedated for the procedure, and the anesthesia can weaken you once the surgery is done. Do not do any heavy activities during this period.
And lastly, do not go outside until you’re fully healed. Drive straight home and rest there. If there are some errands you need to run, ask the person you enlisted help from to do it for you. Give yourself a day or two to relax in the comfort of your own home.
Conclusion
If you had laser treatment in mind for the longest time and have put it off because of the pandemic, now would be a great time to get it. As long as you follow the procedures listed above and have made appointments with your doctor, then you’re good to go.
Are you still on the lookout for the best and safest clinic for laser treatment in Arizona? Visit the Arizona Retinal Specialist, the top clinics in three different locations that offer Laser treatment services and more. We take every precaution seriously to ensure every patient’s safety. Call us now to visit one of our three locations.
