What You Should Know Before LASIK Surgery

If you’ve decided you’re ready to ditch your glasses and contact lenses forever, LASIK surgery can help. Whether you’ve already made an appointment with your eye surgeon, or you’re just starting your research and wonder what happens before LASIK surgery, this guide has all the info you need.

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What To Do Before LASIK Surgery

There are several critical measures you need to take to prepare for your procedure. Start by making an appointment with an experienced eye surgeon for a thorough eye exam. After you’ve scheduled your appointment, follow all of your eye surgeon’s instructions carefully. Taking these steps before LASIK eye surgery will ensure that you get the best results possible from your laser eye surgery. Read on to learn the details about what to do before LASIK surgery and what not to do before LASIK.

Determine If You Are a Candidate

Preparing for your surgery starts with seeing an experienced eye surgeon first. They will examine your eyes to determine what kind of vision correction you need and get some basic information about your eye health. They will also get your overall health information to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery.

Because of the type of correction that LASIK surgery provides, not everyone is a suitable candidate for the procedure. However, every eye is unique, which is why a consultation with a LASIK specialist is needed. Your eye surgeon will determine whether you are able to undergo LASIK surgery based on several criteria, including:

  • General health
  • Current prescription
  • Corneal thickness
  • Pre-existing eye conditions

Technology is always changing and improving, and sometimes your health or your eyes change, too. Even if you’re not a good candidate for LASIK surgery now, you may be in the future.

Stop Wearing Contacts Before LASIK Surgery

One thing many patients are surprised to learn is that you’ll need to stop wearing contacts and only wear glasses before the procedure. Prolonged use of contact lenses alters the shape of your cornea, which can affect the results of your laser eye surgery.

Before LASIK surgery, measurements are taken to determine the amount of corneal tissue that will be removed. Not allowing your cornea to return to normal can lead to inaccurate measurements being taken. In this case, the procedure could be unsuccessful and leave you with poor vision.

It can take several weeks for your cornea to return to its natural shape after you stop wearing contact lenses. However, taking the necessary break from contact lenses is essential for ensuring the best outcome from your LASIK procedure. In preparation for your initial evaluation for LASIK eye surgery, you should plan to stop wearing contacts at least:

  • 2 weeks beforehand for soft contact lenses
  • 3 weeks beforehand for toric soft lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses
  • 4 weeks beforehand for hard lenses

No Makeup, Perfumes, or Lotions

On the day of your surgery, it is important to avoid wearing any makeup, perfumes, or lotions. All of these products can leave debris on your eyelashes. If any of this gets into your eye, you are at risk of infection both during and after the procedure.

As part of your LASIK pre-op routine, your eye surgeon may have special cleansing requirements. They may ask you to thoroughly clean around your eyes and eyelashes in the period leading up to LASIK surgery. This will help to remove any debris or residue, limiting the risk of infection.

Arrange Your Transportation

Before your LASIK surgery, please make arrangements for transport to and from your surgery. You can ask a loved one to drive you or arrange for a taxi. This is for your safety as you’ll be unable to drive after your procedure. Potential common but mild side effects like blurred vision or teariness make driving unsafe in the first hours after surgery.

Book Your LASIK Appointment Today

Now that you know what to do before LASIK surgery, you’ll be better prepared for this exciting start to your improved vision. Be prepared to follow your eye surgeon’s instructions to ensure that you get the best vision correction results possible. With a little pre-planning and some extra care after your LASIK procedure, your eyes can heal as quickly as possible.

Ready to make an appointment and get started? Book your free initial LASIK consultation with Dello Russo Laser Vision. Our skilled doctors will assess whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery. They will also answer any questions you have, explain how they can create a personalized treatment plan for you, and advise you about what you need to do before your LASIK surgery.

If you already have your appointment booked, you now have a little more information about what to expect from LASIK pre-op requirements. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us via our website or by phone at (855) 646-2020. We look forward to seeing you soon!