What Should I Do To Prepare Before LASIK? | Westlake Eye Specialists

What Should I Do To Prepare Before LASIK?

Young woman with glasses using laptop in coffee shop

If you are ready to change your life with LASIK, then you need to know some details to be fully prepared. LASIK is like a team sport played by you and your doctor.

You are both working towards a single goal (better vision) and need to communicate and work together to achieve it. Getting on the same page for LASIK is as simple as setting up a LASIK consultation at Westlake Eye Specialists.

During this appointment, you will learn the ins and outs of a safe LASIK procedure. In the meantime, here are a few pointers on what you will need to know to get started.

Things To Avoid

Your eyes will be prone to infection for some time after having LASIK. It is important to keep them free of anything that could be harmful to them.

This means no makeup, lotion, or perfume the day before the surgery. Not only could particles in the makeup carry bacteria, but the chemicals could irritate your eyes.

During your recovery from LASIK, your eyes will also likely be itchy. Whatever you do, don’t rub your eyes!

Rubbing your eyes could spell out disaster. Eye drops will be provided to help combat itchiness, but you are going to want to prevent it as much as possible.

If your eyes feel irritated, use artificial tears to keep your eyes lubricated. This will help with any feelings of irritation that you may experience.

Get Your Ride Situation Under Control

LASIK is an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to leave the surgery center the same day you receive LASIK. But that does not mean you will be able to go back to your old routine right away.

Even though LASIK is short and uncomplicated, it is still a surgery that you will need to recover from. The recovery begins as soon as the doctor finishes the procedure.

It is quite common to have blurry vision for some time after LASIK. Your eyes will be numb thanks to numbing eye drops given before LASIK.

Blurry vision is a common side effect as these drops start to wear off. As a result, it is unsafe to drive yourself home after having LASIK.

You will probably be able to drive yourself within 24 hours after having LASIK. Your eye doctor will clear you once your vision is clear enough to drive again.

In the meantime, keep yourself and others safe and ask a friend to drive you home ahead of time or plan to call an Uber.

Have Realistic Expectations

It is important to go into LASIK feeling as confident and secure as possible. It is normal to have doubts and anxiety about LASIK, but if you do, communicate these with your doctor.

You will need to be able to lay still for several minutes in slight discomfort. If you don’t think that’s possible on the day of your procedure, the doctor may be able to help you relax you with a mild sedative. Again, communication is vital to a successful LASIK procedure.

Ready to find out if LASIK could be right for you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Westlake Eye Specialists in Austin, TX now! If you’re tired of glasses and contacts, why not explore another option?

0 Shares