Consultation
Firstly, your surgeon or a highly-trained clinician from the clinic will discuss all the options with you. You must then decide whether to go ahead or not.
 The next step involves a series of very thorough diagnostic tests to determine whether your eyes are suitable for the treatment. The basic procedure is exactly the same as with standard LASIK, except that, as you have read, the diagnostic tests are more complex, and with Zyoptix, your own special treatment programme is created.
Diagnostic Tests
When you have decided to go ahead, your surgeon or highly-trained clinic staff will perform many tests to ensure that you are suitable for Zyoptix. Your vision has to be stable for at least 2 years before being considered for treatment and your surgeon may contact your optician, your GP or your ophthalmologist. You must be prepared to spend at least 2 hours at the clinic. The surgeon will want to discuss the results with you in a follow-up examination.
Vision Tests
 To make sure you have the right prescription, your vision will be re-tested.
Pupil Size:
People with large pupils who have had laser eye surgery often complain of halos and glare. The surgeon will determine if your pupils are the right size and fall into the right parameters.
Corneal Mapping
The Orbscan® anterior segment analysis system measures the shape of the cornea and allows the surgeon to determine if you are suitable for laser eye treatment and that your eyes are healing
Corneal Thickness
 It is vital to check if your cornea is thick enough for Zyoptix. If you wear contact lenses, you may need to manage without them for up to 4 weeks (depending on the type of lenses), to eliminate any corneal swelling from the lenses and to make sure the surgeon can get an accurate measurement.
Aberrometry
Zywave™ aberrometer takes detailed wavefront measurements of your eye's optics. A drop is put into your eye, opening up the pupil to make sure all necessary information is recorded. After this test, a drop will be given to let your pupil return to its usual size.
Eye Diseases
 You will be checked to see if your eyes are healthy. This will include measuring your intraocular pressure and examining your cornea and retina. Your surgeon may ask you and/or your GP about your health as certain diseases mean that laser treatment cannot be performed.
Eye Drops
Just before the treatment is performed, local anaesthetic drops will be put into your eye to make sure that you feel no pain.
 You will lie face up on a laser bed and your eyes and eyelids will be kept open, to make sure they don't get in the way of the laser beam. The surgeon will perform the surgery and the treatment should be over in a few minutes.
Procedures:
The Zyoptix laser treatment consists of three basic procedures:
- Creating the flap
- The laser correction
- Replacing the flap
Creating the flap:
Firstly a small spreading device is positioned on your eyelids to prevent your from blinking. Then a precision instrument called a Microkeratome is placed onto the surface of your eye and held in place by a gentle vacuum. The Microkeratome then creates a very thin flap of corneal tissue on the surface of your eye. This is carefully folded back out of the way. This procedure is virtually painless although you may feel a very mild pressure from the vacuum pump.
The Laser Correction
 The laser is programmed with your unique treatment instructions. The surgeon aligns your eye under the laser and asks you to stare at a red light. The laser's Eyetracker then visually locks on to your pupil. The laser treatment begins and usually lasts for two minutes. During the procedure the Eyetracker ensures that even if your eyes move the tiniest amount the laser will compensate for this movement and ensure that the treatment of your eye is completely accurate.
Replacing the flap
After the laser treatment the flap is then replaced and left to heal naturally without the need for stitches.
What happens after the treatment
After the procedure, your vision will be tested and you will be given medication to prevent infection and/or dry eyes. You will receive eye shields to prevent you from rubbing your eyes while asleep and sunglasses to protect your eyes from strain because they will be sensitive to bright light for a short time. Your eyes will not yet be clear enough for you to drive or even to use public transport, so have someone with you who can take you home. Aftercare
 The next day, when you go for your first after-care check-up, you should have very good vision. But no matter how well you feel or how pleased you are with your eyesight immediately after treatment, it is extremely important to follow your surgeon's instructions with regard to medication and general eye-care. You must attend all after-care visits at day 1, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment - and possibly at 6 and 12 months, too.
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