Knowing what to expect before, during, and after a surgical or procedural appointment at Boling Vision Center helps every guest feel prepared, confident, and ready for the best possible outcome.
At Boling Vision Center, surgical preparation begins well before the day of your procedure. From the pre-operative evaluation through recovery and follow-up, our team guides every guest through each step with clear instructions, genuine attentiveness, and the reassurance that comes from being cared for by a team that knows your case completely.
This page covers the general preparation guidelines that apply across most procedures performed at our practice. You will also receive procedure-specific instructions tailored to your individual situation at your pre-operative appointment.
For many ophthalmic procedures, particularly cataract surgery, lens implant procedures, and corneal surgery, optimizing the tear film before surgery significantly supports the best possible visual outcome. If tear film preparation has been recommended as part of your pre-operative plan, including lubricating drops and warming mask use, follow the prescribed regimen consistently in the weeks leading up to your procedure.
Surgery day at INSIGHT Surgery Center is designed to be calm, organized, and as comfortable as possible from the moment you arrive through the moment you leave.
On surgery day, bring the following to INSIGHT Surgery Center:
Arrive at INSIGHT Surgery Center at the time specified by your surgical coordinator. Plan to arrive on time, as late arrivals can affect the surgical schedule and the preparation process. Our team will greet you at check-in and guide you through the preparation steps, including the administration of eye drops, vital sign monitoring, and a final review of the procedure and what to expect.
Our operating rooms are calm, organized environments where the surgical team works with quiet efficiency. You will be awake for most ophthalmic procedures but kept comfortable with anesthesia appropriate to the procedure. Our team will keep you informed and reassured throughout, and the familiar faces of your Boling Vision Center care team will be present throughout the process.
Following your procedure, you will rest in our recovery area under the monitoring of our nursing team until you are comfortable and stable. Recovery time varies by procedure. You will be discharged with written post-operative instructions, prescribed medications, and direct contact information for our team. A designated driver is required for all procedures involving sedation.
Recovery from eye surgery begins the moment your procedure is complete, and at Boling Vision Center, our commitment to your outcome extends through every stage of healing.
The first hours after surgery are important for comfort and early healing. Most guests experience some degree of light sensitivity, mild blurriness, or a foreign body sensation immediately after the procedure. These are normal and typically resolve quickly. Avoid rubbing the eye, and wear any protective eyewear provided by our team as instructed.
Most procedures involve a post-operative drop regimen that may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and steroid drops. Follow the prescribed schedule exactly, as these drops play a critical role in healing, infection prevention, and achieving the best visual outcome.
General activity restrictions apply to most ophthalmic procedures during the recovery period. Common guidelines include:
Specific restrictions vary by procedure and will be detailed in your written post-operative instructions.
Post-operative follow-up appointments are a critical component of surgical care and are not optional. These visits allow our team to monitor healing, assess the visual outcome, identify any early complications, and adjust the care plan as needed. Your follow-up schedule will be established before you leave on surgery day.
Our team is accessible between visits for any questions or concerns that arise during recovery. Do not hesitate to call if something doesn't feel right.
Most guests achieve functional vision within 24 hours of LASIK. PRK involves a longer surface healing period of five to eight days, with vision continuing to stabilize over the following weeks.
Most guests return to desk-based work within one to two days of LASIK and five to eight days of PRK. Your provider will advise based on your occupation and individual recovery progress.
Light activity is typically permitted within a few days. Swimming and contact sports require a longer wait. Specific restrictions will be outlined in your post-operative instructions.
Many guests notice meaningful improvement within the first day following the procedure, with vision continuing to refine over the following weeks.
Yes. Avoid swimming and strenuous activity for a defined period after the procedure. Specific restrictions will be provided in your post-operative instructions.
Yes. A post-operative drop regimen is prescribed to support healing and prevent infection. Follow the schedule exactly as provided.
Most guests notice meaningful improvement within the first few days. Vision continues to refine over the following weeks as the eye heals and adapts to the new lens.
Recovery from RLE is essentially the same as cataract surgery, as the procedure is technically identical. Your provider will give you specific expectations based on the lens selected and your individual situation.
Most guests notice significant improvement within the first day or two. Guests who choose premium IOLs may notice a period of adaptation as the brain adjusts to the new lens, which can continue over several weeks to months.
Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled at defined intervals in the days, weeks, and months following surgery. Your specific schedule will be established before you leave on surgery day.
Recovery following corneal transplantation varies by technique. Surface procedures like PTK involve an epithelial healing period of one to two weeks. Transplantation procedures like DMEK or DALK involve a longer visual rehabilitation period that may extend over several months.
It depends on the specific procedure. Your provider will give you detailed activity restrictions and a realistic recovery timeline based on your individual surgery.
For most in-office procedures, including injections and laser treatments, driving yourself home is generally fine unless sedation has been used or vision is significantly affected. Your provider will advise before you leave.
Most guests return to normal activities the same day. Specific post-procedure instructions will be provided before you leave the office.
We send appointment reminders for both pre-operative and surgery day appointments. Given the preparation and coordination involved in surgical scheduling, we ask that any cancellation or rescheduling request be made as early as possible, and at a minimum of 48 hours before the scheduled appointment.
Late cancellations and no-shows for surgical appointments affect our surgical team, our scheduling, and other guests waiting for care. Repeated late cancellations or no-shows may result in a fee and may affect future scheduling. We understand that unexpected circumstances arise, and we ask only that you communicate with us as promptly as possible when plans need to change.
