Refractive surgery journey: step by step

Refractive surgery corrects myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia to reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Before the procedure, everything rests on a thorough assessment: it is what makes it possible to choose the technique best suited and safest for your eyes. Here is, concretely, how your care unfolds with Dr Tourabaly.

The 6 steps of your journey

1

First contact & booking your appointment

It all starts with an appointment, online on Doctolib or by phone at the Cachan office. No prior examination is required: the first consultation is precisely there to assess your situation.

2

Initial consultation

Dr Tourabaly reviews your correction, your medical history and your expectations (sport, screen work, poorly tolerated contact lenses). This is the moment to set out your goal and ask all your questions.

3

Complete pre-operative assessment

A series of quick, non-contact examinations measures your eyes precisely: corneal topography, aberrometry, pachymetry (corneal thickness), OCT. This data determines which techniques are possible. Discover the pre-operative assessment →

4

Shared decision on the technique

In light of the assessment, Dr Tourabaly presents the technique or techniques suited to your eyes, with their advantages and their limits. The choice is made together, without rushing. Compare the 4 techniques →

5

The procedure (the day itself)

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, under local anaesthesia with eye drops and without hospitalisation. The anaesthetic drops ensure your comfort; the procedure lasts a few minutes per eye. The exact process depends on your technique:

LASIKCorneal flap created with the laser, visual recovery often as early as 24 hours.PKRSurface laser, recovery over a few days, suited to thin corneas.SMILEMicro-incision, recovery in 2-3 days, less dryness.Phakic implant (ICL)Intraocular lens for high myopia, without touching the cornea.

6

Post-operative follow-up

A first check-up takes place the very next day (D1), then at D7 and at 1 month. Eye drops are prescribed for you. Precautions vary depending on the technique: sport and swimming, time off work, ocular dryness, night-time halos.

Am I a good candidate? 2-minute test

Preparing well for each appointment

A journey that goes smoothly starts with good preparation. Here is what it helps to anticipate before each appointment, to save time and make the examinations more reliable.

Before the first consultation

Gather your glasses and contact lens prescriptions, the list of your current treatments and any past eye conditions (dryness, allergies, previous surgery). If you wear contact lenses, note how long you have worn them and how often. These elements help Dr Tourabaly understand your situation from the very first discussion.

Before the pre-operative assessment

Contact lenses slightly deform the cornea. For the topography and the measurements to be reliable, you must remove them before the assessment: in practice, a few days for soft lenses, longer for rigid lenses. The exact timeframe is specified during the consultation. On the day of the assessment, plan not to drive straight afterwards if your pupils have been dilated.

On the day of the procedure

Come with no make-up, no perfume or cream around the eyes, in comfortable clothing. Arrange for someone to accompany you: your vision will be blurred in the first few hours and driving is not advised on the way back. Sunglasses are useful for the trip, as the eyes are then more sensitive to light.

The day itself, step by step

The day of the procedure is simpler than many imagine. On your arrival, your file and the treatment parameters are checked one last time. You are settled in comfortably, then anaesthetic and antiseptic eye drops are instilled.

During the procedure, you stay awake and the team guides you step by step: you are simply asked to fix your gaze on a light. You may perceive a feeling of pressure or a change in brightness, but the anaesthetic drops ensure your comfort. The procedure itself lasts a few minutes per eye.

Once finished, a short period of rest and monitoring is observed before you go home, accompanied. Vision is generally blurred and watery in the first few hours: this is expected and temporary.

The first few days and recovery

Recovery depends on the chosen technique. After a LASIK or a SMILE, vision often improves as early as the next day, with mild discomfort in the first few hours. After a PKR, surface healing takes a few days during which discomfort and sensitivity to light are common; vision then stabilises gradually. With a phakic implant (ICL), visual recovery is generally quick.

In every case, eye drops (lubricating and anti-inflammatory) are prescribed for you, with a precise schedule. A few precautions are needed in the first weeks: avoid rubbing your eyes, postpone swimming and contact sports, protect your eyes from sun and dust. The detailed timeframes are given on the pages dedicated to sport and swimming, time off work and ocular dryness.

Follow-up is marked by check-ups: the very next day (D1), then around D7 and at one month, in order to verify healing and the quality of vision. Further appointments may be added depending on your progress.

How long does the journey take?

From the first consultation to the procedure, generally allow a few weeks: this timeframe includes the pre-operative assessment, a period for reflection and practical arrangements. It is not a race: this pace makes it possible to ensure that the decision is taken calmly and that the chosen technique is the best suited to your eyes. Follow-up, for its part, continues over several weeks after the procedure.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long between the first appointment and the procedure?

The journey usually spans a few weeks: initial consultation, in-depth pre-operative assessment, a period for reflection, then the procedure. This pace makes it possible to confirm that the chosen technique is the safest for your eyes.

Do I need to stop wearing contact lenses before the assessment?

Yes. Contact lenses slightly change the shape of the cornea and can distort the measurements. You must therefore remove them before the assessment: a few days for soft lenses, longer for rigid ones. The precise timeframe is given to you during the consultation.

Does the procedure require hospitalisation?

No. Refractive surgery, whether by laser or by implant, is performed on an outpatient basis: you go home the same day, after a short period of rest.

How does the anaesthesia work?

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia using eye drops, with no injection. The anaesthetic drops ensure your comfort during the procedure, which lasts a few minutes per eye.

Do I need someone to accompany me on the day of the procedure?

Yes, it is recommended: your vision is blurred in the first few hours and you will not be able to drive on the way back.

When can I go back to work and driving?

It depends on the technique: returning is often quick after LASIK or SMILE (24-48 hours), more gradual after PKR. Driving resumes once visual recovery has been confirmed at a check-up. Details on the time off work page.

What happens if I am not a good candidate?

If the examinations show that no technique is suitable, Dr Tourabaly explains this clearly and guides you towards the safest alternative, or advises against the procedure. This rigorous selection is the foundation of the safety of refractive surgery.

Going further

Book an appointment on Doctolib

Cachan office · Tel. 01 45 47 08 11

This page is intended for information and educational purposes. It does not replace a consultation: only a personalised assessment can determine whether refractive surgery is indicated for you, and with which technique.