CLEAR Laser Vision Correction — Patient Preparation Guide

Everything you need to know about CLEAR by Ziemer — a flapless, single-step laser vision correction for myopia and astigmatism — and how to prepare for it at Finland Eye Center.

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Important Information

Please read this guide carefully and follow your doctor's instructions, which come first if they differ from this guide. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our medical team.

Before Surgery

Important preparation steps

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR, by Ziemer, is a lenticule extraction procedure — a laser vision correction procedure for myopia (short-sightedness) and astigmatism. It is a single-step laser treatment with low energy, bladeless and flapless, with quick recovery, minimal invasiveness and reduced side effects.

How is CLEAR different from LASIK, Femto-LASIK, and PRK?

All of these are out-patient laser vision correction procedures we offer at Finland Eye Center.

LASIK / Femto-LASIK and PRK can correct myopia, hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism
CLEAR is currently used for myopia and astigmatism only
LASIK / Femto-LASIK uses a two-step procedure: first creating a corneal flap (with a femto-laser in Z-LASIK or a microkeratome blade in LASIK), then reshaping the cornea with an excimer laser
PRK / Streamlight removes the outer 50–80 micron layer of the cornea, then reshapes it with the laser
CLEAR is a single-step procedure: a small lenticule (tissue disc) is shaped inside the cornea by the femto-laser and removed through a tiny side incision. The corneal surface stays almost untouched, which means less disturbance to the corneal nerves and, for many patients, less dry eye after surgery.

With all methods, the goal is to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Results vary from person to person; your surgeon explains what to expect for your eyes.

Which procedure is best for me?

It depends on several factors: your refractive error, corneal thickness, other corneal characteristics, plus your priorities, lifestyle, and budget. Unless there is a specific reason a particular option is unsuitable (e.g. cornea too thin for LASIK), you may be given the option to choose between techniques. Your surgeon will explain the best option during your consultation.

Am I a good candidate for CLEAR?

CLEAR is suitable for most patients with myopia and astigmatism who want to be glasses-independent. To be considered:

You must be over 18 years old
Your glasses prescription should have been stable for at least 1 year
You must not have certain eye diseases that disqualify you (your ophthalmologist will screen for this)
Active pregnancy or lactation requires informing the doctor — surgery may be postponed

Preparation before the procedure

Follow these steps before your surgery date:

Stop wearing soft contact lenses for at least 1 week before the operation
Stop wearing hard contact lenses for at least 3–4 weeks before the operation
Do not apply eye make-up on the day of the surgery
Inform your doctor of all medications you take (topical or oral), any chronic conditions, previous eye surgeries, and current pregnancy or breastfeeding
Your surgeon may prescribe specific eye drops or treatment of any underlying eye condition before the operation
Arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery — you should not drive yourself
Wear comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure

What to bring on the day

Your ID and insurance card
A list of all current medications
Sunglasses for the journey home
Any prescribed eye drops you have already started
A companion to drive you home

During Surgery

What happens during the procedure

The procedure is performed in our surgical suite. You will be lying down on a special bed with a head-rest. Before entering the suite, the area around the eye is cleaned and a sterile drape is placed over your hair.

You will be fully awake throughout — the entire procedure lasts only a few minutes per eye.

Step-by-step

Anaesthetic eye drops are administered (they may sting briefly)
A lid speculum (eyelid holder) is placed between your eyelids to keep your eye open and prevent blinking. While one eye is being treated, the other is covered
A suction ring lifts and flattens your cornea and keeps the eye still — you may feel pressure as if a finger is pressing on your eye
Your vision will go dim or black for a few seconds during this — that is normal
The femto-laser is programmed with the exact measurements for your eye and sculpts a thin disc-shaped piece of tissue (the "lenticule") inside the cornea
The laser also makes a small side incision through which the surgeon will access the lenticule
The entire laser portion takes about 30 seconds
Your surgeon then removes the lenticule through the small incision, reshaping your cornea
The instruments are removed and protective lenses or drops may be placed

You will hear sounds from the laser machine during the procedure — this is normal. Some patients describe a mild "pressure" sensation but no sharp pain because of the anaesthetic drops.

After Surgery

Care and recovery

Immediately after the procedure

You will be escorted to a recovery room to rest. Your surgeon may place protective contact lenses during the healing period. We will then check your eyes to ensure the cornea is doing well.

You will need someone to drive you home — do not leave the clinic before your eyes are examined and a follow-up appointment is given
Dark sunglasses are provided for the journey home — bright lights may feel uncomfortable
A foreign-body sensation in the eye is normal for a few hours after surgery
Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially during the first week
If discomfort is severe or does not subside, contact your surgeon immediately

You will notice an improvement in your vision even as you stand up from the operating bed. Your post-operative visual outcome is checked the next day.

Eye drops schedule

Follow the schedule given to you exactly. Typical regimen:

Optilon (anti-inflammatory): 4× a day in week 1, 3× a day in week 2, 2× a day in week 3, 1× a day in week 4
Antibiotic drops: every 6 hours for 1 week
Lubricating drops: every 4 hours for at least 1 month

Daily activity timeline

Day of surgery:

Use the protective goggles you received
Avoid bright sunlight
Rest with eyes closed when possible
You may perform Sujood (prostration) starting the next day

Day 1 after surgery:

You can shower (avoid soap or water in the eyes)
You can use mobile phones and watch TV
You can resume most routine activities

First week:

Avoid rubbing your eyes
Avoid eye make-up
Avoid bukhur (incense) and strong perfumes in closed rooms
Avoid driving, especially at night
Use sunglasses outside

After 1 week:

Light sports may resume
Eye make-up may resume

After 1 month:

Football and combat sports may resume
Swimming in sea or pool is allowed
Switch lubricating drops as advised by your surgeon

After 3 months:

Coloured / cosmetic contact lenses may be used

Follow-up visits

All of these are included in your CLEAR package at Finland Eye Center:

Day 1 after surgery
Within the second week after surgery
After the first month
At 3 months post-op

Additional visits may be scheduled depending on your individual recovery.

Possible risks and complications

Most complications are rare and treatable when an experienced surgeon is involved:

Slight residual refractive error
Temporary dry eye, redness or discomfort
Glare or halos at night (more likely with large pupils or high prescriptions)
Floaters
Loss of suction during the laser portion (rare)
Cellular debris in the surgical area
Inflammation in the treated area (DLK, PISK, or epithelial ingrowth)
Keratectasia (progressive corneal thinning) — very rare
Bacterial corneal infection — very rare
Transient elevation of eye pressure from post-op drops
Retinal complications

Some complications may require additional medication, lacrimal plugs, glasses or contact lenses, corneal cross-linking, re-operation, or in extremely rare cases, corneal grafting.

When to call your surgeon urgently

Severe pain that does not respond to pain medication
Sudden drop in vision
Significant increase in redness, light sensitivity or discharge
Foreign-body sensation that is unbearable
Eye injury (rubbing, hit, or scratch)

Questions?

Book a consultation or speak with one of our specialists at any of our four branches in Muscat, Sohar, Salalah, or Nizwa. Book your appointment online.

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