Are you tired of fumbling for glasses in the morning or dealing with foggy contacts during workouts? If preparing for LASIK is on your mind, you’re taking a smart step toward crystal-clear vision without aids. LASIK eye surgery has transformed millions of lives, boasting a 96% satisfaction rate according to recent studies. But success hinges on proper LASIK surgery preparation. Rushing in without the right prep can lead to suboptimal results or unnecessary stress.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 11 essential things to do before your eye surgery. From health checks to lifestyle tweaks, these tips ensure you’re primed for a smooth procedure and quick recovery. Whether you’re researching LASIK preparation tips or finalizing your surgery date, let’s dive in.
1. Schedule a Thorough LASIK Consultation
Your journey starts with a detailed eye exam. Preparing for LASIK means booking a consultation at a reputable clinic to assess eligibility.
Expect tests for corneal thickness, pupil size, tear production, and refractive errors. Surgeons use advanced mapping like wavefront analysis to customize your treatment. If you have conditions like dry eyes or thin corneas, they might recommend alternatives like PRK.
Pro tip: Choose a board-certified ophthalmologist with thousands of LASIK procedures under their belt. Ask about their success rates and complication stats during the visit.
2. Stop Wearing Contact Lenses in Advance
Contacts can warp your cornea’s shape, skewing pre-op measurements. Things to do before LASIK include ditching them early.
- Soft lenses: Stop 1-2 weeks prior.
- Hard (RGP) lenses: Pause 3-4 weeks ahead.
- Hybrids: Follow your doctor’s timeline, often 2-3 weeks.
Switch to glasses full-time. This stabilizes your cornea for accurate laser mapping, boosting surgery precision.
3. Get a Full Health Check-Up
LASIK isn’t just about your eyes. Preparing for LASIK involves ruling out systemic issues that could affect healing.
Visit your primary doctor for bloodwork and checks on diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or uncontrolled hypertension. Pregnant or nursing? Postpone—hormones impact eye stability. Share all meds, including over-the-counter ones, as some (like Accutane) must stop months ahead.
A clean bill of health minimizes risks like infection or delayed recovery.
4. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol
Smoking impairs healing by constricting blood vessels, while alcohol dehydrates you. As part of LASIK eye surgery prep, aim for at least two weeks smoke-free and cut booze a week before.
Nicotine patches are okay if approved, but vaping counts as smoking. Hydrate instead—your eyes need optimal moisture post-op.
5. Build a Medication List and Stock Up
Compile every prescription, supplement, and herbal remedy. LASIK preparation requires pausing blood thinners (e.g., aspirin), steroids, or isotretinoin.
Your surgeon will prescribe antibiotic and steroid drops. Stock extras, plus artificial tears for dry eyes—a common temp side effect. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen? Grab them too; avoid ibuprofen unless cleared.
6. Arrange Reliable Post-Op Transportation
LASIK is outpatient, but numbing drops blur vision immediately after. You can’t drive—plan things to do before LASIK like lining up a sober ride home.
Brief a friend or family member on pickup timing (usually 30-60 minutes post-procedure). Rideshares work if you’re comfortable, but avoid public transit.
7. Stock Your Recovery Kit at Home
Turn your space into a healing haven before surgery day. Preparing for LASIK means prepping essentials:
- Dark sunglasses for light sensitivity.
- Loose pillows for elevating your head.
- Gauze pads, bottled water, and easy meals (yogurt, soups—no rubbing eyes while cooking).
- Entertainment: Audiobooks or shows, since reading strains eyes initially.
Clear your schedule for 1-3 days of rest.
8. Practice Good Eye Hygiene Habits
Dirty hands equal infection risk. In LASIK surgery preparation, master habits like washing hands before touching eyes and avoiding makeup, lotions, or perfumes 24-48 hours pre-op.
Skip eye makeup for a week post-surgery too. Clean your glasses meticulously if still wearing them.
9. Adjust Your Lifestyle for Optimal Conditions
Preparing for LASIK extends to daily routines. Avoid dusty environments, swimming pools, or saunas a week before—irritants compromise corneal health.
Ramp up sleep (7-9 hours/night) and eat antioxidant-rich foods: leafy greens, berries, fish for omega-3s. These support epithelial healing.
10. Understand the Procedure and Set Expectations
Knowledge reduces anxiety. Review your clinic’s materials on how LASIK works: a femtosecond laser creates a corneal flap, an excimer laser reshapes tissue, then the flap seals naturally.
Ask about side effects like halos (temporary) or flap issues (rare, <1%). Realistic expectations—most see 20/20 or better, but age-related changes continue.
11. Mentally Prepare and Follow Final Instructions
Visualize success to ease nerves. Things to do before LASIK include fasting if instructed (usually not, but confirm) and wearing comfy clothes—no tight collars.
Arrive makeup-free, on time, and relaxed. Post-op: No rubbing eyes, water sports, or contacts in the treated eye for weeks.
Why Proper LASIK Preparation Matters
Skipping steps in preparing for LASIK can lead to undercorrections, dry eyes, or flap displacement. Studies from the FDA show prepared patients recover faster, with 90% back to work in 1-2 days. Long-term, it slashes risks of ectasia or regression.
Personal story: I know someone who prepped meticulously and ditched glasses forever at 35—now hiking trails with perfect vision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in LASIK Prep
- Ignoring dry eye treatment—get plugs or meds early.
- Underestimating rest—plan time off work.
- Skipping questions—clarify costs, follow-ups, enhancements (free retries often included).
LASIK Recovery Timeline Quick Guide – Description
LASIK recovery is fast and smooth for most patients. Vision often improves within 24 hours, though mild dryness, irritation, or light sensitivity may occur initially. During the first week, eyesight becomes clearer, and daily activities can be resumed with care. Over the next few weeks, vision stabilises and side effects like glare reduce. Full recovery usually takes one to three months with proper aftercare and regular follow-up visits.