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Timeline of your Refractive Lens Exchange
We will guide you step by step through the timeline of your lens treatment, so you know exactly what to expect. From the initial preliminary examination through the actual treatment and follow-up check - here you'll get all the important information to be well prepared and feel secure.
- Before the treatment
Preliminary and main examination
After a free and non-binding preliminary examination, the main examination follows. It's important that you don't wear contact lenses for four days before this appointment and that you should refrain from driving after the appointment, as eye drops will impair your vision for a few hours. During the main examination, in addition to checking your visual acuity, your cornea and retina will also be examined to determine the best treatment method for you.
- Day of treatment
Procedure and Process of Treatment
During the third appointment, your natural lens will be replaced with an artificial lens that corrects both distance vision impairment and potential presbyopia. For the journey home, you will receive transparent eye patches and should bring an accompanying person. Plan for about 1.5 hours for the entire appointment, including preparation and the journey home.*
- After the first few hours
Possible symptoms
Immediately after the treatment, you may be sensitive to light and experience red eyes as well as a foreign body sensation. Other symptoms include milky vision, and watery, dry, burning, or swollen eyes. It is recommended to wear sunglasses for the first few hours as protection against glare and foreign objects. Near vision usually recovers first; often you can read without visual aids by the evening of the treatment day. Distance vision takes a few days longer to recover and may initially show a shadow effect.
- After 24 hours
First follow-up check
The first follow-up appointment to check on your permanent contact lenses takes place the day after the treatment at our London clinic. This is when your visual acuity without visual aids will be checked for the first time after the lens treatment. Usually, the confirmation for the road traffic office can also be issued at this point. In general, you can return to your normal daily routine.
- After 7 days
Second follow-up check
Your second follow-up check takes place after one week. By this time, you will have already gotten quite used to the implanted lens, although estimating different distances may still be somewhat limited. This will settle in the coming weeks. Please continue to follow the hygiene measures and use the eye drops according to your drop schedule.
- After 14 days
Back to normal routine
Swimming, sports, and sauna are allowed again, as well as wearing makeup around the eye area. If you have questions about whether and when you can resume certain daily activities, you can always contact the medical team in the Westfield White City clinic or call our Customer Care Team. For additional guidance, consult our Laser Eye Surgery Recovery Guide.
- After 2 months
Final follow-up check
A final follow-up check takes place after about two months. Here, your visual acuity and the healing process of the eye will be checked once again.
*Please note that the perception of pain and symptoms can vary and be individually pronounced from person to person. Therefore, the timeline may also be slightly different for you.
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