When you’re preparing to undergo LASIK surgery, you might have a lot of questions. Your vision is essential, so it’s understandable (and smart!) to gather as much information about your upcoming eye procedure as possible.
Some people want to know about what sort of preparation is involved pre-LASIK surgery, some people are curious about the surgery itself, and others are most concerned about the recovery process. Whether you’re feeling a little nervous about your upcoming LASIK surgery or simply want to know what to expect pre-LASIK surgery, we’re here to answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
To get you better acquainted with everything you should know pre-LASIK surgery, we’ve compiled a list of 10 key things to note ahead of your corrective procedure.
1 – You may not be a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery.
As frustrating as it can be, some people simply aren’t eligible LASIK candidates. Your age, the shape of your eye, your overall health and health history, as well as whether or not you are pregnant or lactating, all play a role in determining if you are a qualified candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Luckily, even if you’re not a candidate, there are other options available to you including PRK and implants.
2 – You’ll need to stop wearing contacts for several weeks.
Contact lenses change the shape of your cornea and the effects can last up to several weeks after you stop wearing them (depending on the kind of contact lenses you use).
As such, you’ll need to stop wearing your contacts and wear glasses instead for several weeks leading up to your initial LASIK evaluation. This allows your doctor to get a proper assessment and measurement of the shape of your corneas. You will need to continue to avoid wearing contact lenses up through the date of your LASIK eye surgery. Make sure you tell your eye doctor what kind of contact lenses you typically wear so that they can give you clear instructions.
Generally speaking, you should stop wearing:
- Soft contact lenses at least two weeks before your initial LASIK evaluation
- Hard contact lenses at least four weeks before your initial LASIK evaluation
- Toric soft lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses at least three weeks before your LASIK evaluation
3 – You shouldn’t wear makeup, lotion, or perfume ahead of your LASIK surgery.
Makeup, lotions, and perfumes can leave debris on your eyelashes or around your eyes that could fall into your eyes and increase the risk of infection both pre-LASIK surgery and during the surgery itself.
Your doctor will ask you to refrain from using these products for a prescribed amount of days before, on, and after the day of surgery. They may also ask you to clean your eyes and eyelashes in a specific way. Ask your doctor what they recommend for you.
4 – You’ll need to arrange transportation pre-LASIK surgery.
Plan to have someone else drive you to and from your surgery. There are a couple of important reasons for this recommendation.
First, you may be given medication to help you relax before your surgery, which will impair your ability to drive safely. Second, your vision may still be blurry in the hours following your surgery, making it unsafe for you to drive. Plan ahead to make sure you have your transportation arranged pre-LASIK surgery so you can relax after your procedure. Arranged transportation to and from your follow-up appointment is also encouraged.
5 -You’ll need to wear a protective eye shield after your LASIK surgery.
Right after LASIK, your eyes will feel a little strange for a short period of time. They may tear up and water, or feel dry or itchy, or you might experience slight burning and feel like there is something stuck in your eye. Your vision might be hazy or blurry for a couple hours, too. However, it is important that you do not rub your eyes under any circumstances, as it could move the flap on your cornea.
The eye shield will help protect your eyes in general, but particularly from unconscious rubbing or touching, or from putting pressure on your eyes while you sleep. Wear the eye shield as long as your eye doctor directs you to so that the flap on your eye can heal correctly.
6 -No blades are involved in LASIK at Dello Russo Laser Vision – just lasers.
At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we offer cutting-edge bladeless LASIK, using an IntraLase Laser to make the initial cornea flap required for LASIK. Bladeless LASIK offers many benefits, including the ability to make more precise measurements, additional control for your doctor during the procedure, and lower risk of adverse effects that can come with a blade in traditional LASIK surgery.
Because your eyes are unique, your bladeless LASIK procedure should be customized to you. Make sure you talk to your eye doctor pre-LASIK surgery about any questions you may have, including how laser surgery works.
7 -You shouldn’t experience any discomfort during the procedure.
You’ll receive a numbing drop in your eye pre-LASIK surgery before the procedure actually starts. Once the procedure begins, you may experience some blurry or dimmed vision off and on, and possibly some slight pressure briefly as the flap is created with the laser. Other than that, the state-of-the-art laser technology used by the World Class Eye Surgeons at Dello Russo Laser Vision ensures that your LASIK procedure and recovery process is comfortable and expedient.
8 -You’ll be awake the whole time, which is fine because it’s a short surgery!
This short surgery will take place in an exam room on a reclining chair. The laser system is right in the room with you, and you’ll be awake through the whole procedure so you can follow the doctor’s directions.
The entire process is extremely quick and easy. The IntraLase laser prepares the cornea in just 30 seconds, and the entire surgical procedure will take less than 30 minutes. We’ll be there every step of the way to ensure that you feel comfortable and at ease.
9 -You’ll see results in a matter of hours.
Most people begin to notice improved vision within the first few hours after the surgery, and some may even see improvement right away. Some blurred vision is perfectly normal immediately after your surgery; just make sure you follow all directions given by your doctor to ensure that your eyes heal quickly and properly. In most cases, patients are able to return to their normal activities the very next day after LASIK surgery.
10 -You might have dry eyes after LASIK.
It’s a good idea to have artificial tears on hand pre-LASIK surgery so that you’re prepared, as some patients may experience dry eyes for a few months after surgery. Your doctor may prescribe an eye drop regimen to help keep your eyes properly lubricated and prevent infection and inflammation.
At Dello Russo Laser Vision, your vision, health, and comfort are important to us. We believe in providing you with friendly, warm, professional service and any information you might need so that you feel comfortable and informed the whole way through.
