If you’re looking to get a Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery, you likely have a fair amount of questions and concerns. This guide is here to answer many of those questions and to help you prepare for the procedure. Let’s take a closer look at what you should do before your LASIK eye surgery:
1. Schedule a Consultation
The most important thing you can do prior to getting your LASIK eye surgery is to consult with an eye professional. During the consultation, you and the eye doctor will go over your medical history, discuss any medications you may be taking, and go over the various steps of the procedure. After the consultation, you can decide if the procedure is the right fit for you.
2. Stop Wearing Contact Lenses
These can alter your eyes’ shape and impact your LASIK eye surgery results. For that reason, it’s recommended to discontinue wearing contact lenses a few weeks before the surgery. If you wear hard contact lenses, stop using them at least 1-3 weeks before the procedure. Soft contact lenses, however, should be discontinued two weeks before the procedure.
3. Give Up Vices
In the days and weeks leading up to your surgery, try to avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs. These vices can increase the chances of complications with your surgery, so it’s best to lay off them during your preparation period.
4. Avoid Eye Makeup
Eye makeup should be avoided in the days leading up to your LASIK eye surgery. Cosmetic products can contain traces of dirt and bacteria that could lead to infection and interfere with the results of your procedure. It’s best to avoid eye makeup entirely up until the day of the surgery.
5. Take Medications as Prescribed
If you’re taking any prescription medicine, be sure to take them as prescribed by your doctor leading up to the procedure. If you miss a dose or stop taking it altogether, you could risk exposure to complications during the surgery. It’s best to follow your doctor’s instructions for medication and the surgery itself.
6. Undergo a Dilated Eye Exam
Prior to your LASIK procedure, you’ll likely need to undergo several scans and exams to determine your eligibility for the surgery. This could include a dilated eye exam, an essential part of the process. During the exam, drops are put into your eyes to expand your pupils. This allows your doctor to get a better look at the front and back areas of your eyes.
7. Have a Safe Ride Home
After the procedure, you’ll likely experience some redness and itchiness in your eyes. This could potentially impair your vision, so it’s important to have a driver ready to take you home. Make sure to have someone you trust like a medical professional take the wheel, as this will help reduce your chances of getting into an accident.
8. Follow Postoperative Care Instructions
After your procedure is completed, your doctor will likely provide a number of postoperative care instructions. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, recovery time can be anywhere from days to weeks. Your doctor may recommend applying lubricating drops to your eyes to reduce redness, itchiness, and any other symptoms you may experience. In addition, the doctor may advise avoiding certain activities during the healing process.
Conclusion
By following the steps mentioned above, you can significantly reduce the chances of complications occurring during your laser vision correction surgery. This can help you enjoy the best possible outcome for your procedure.
At Fenton Family Eyecare, our experienced ophthalmologists and optometrists are committed to offering the highest quality care to our patients. We provide comprehensive eye care services, including LASIK eye surgery. Call us today at (636) 305-9600 to schedule an appointment.
