5 Things You Should Know To Prepare For Lasik Surgery

Preparing for eye surgery can be frustrating and overwhelming especially when fear comes to play. Here are some tips and guidance to help those who are thinking about getting lasik surgery get through the process and recovery smoothly and, more importantly, to properly prepare.

If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them just prior to the initial doctors’ evaluation. For instance soft lenses should not be worn two weeks prior the exam, three weeks for rigid gas permeable lenses and about a month for hard lenses. Your doctor is going to take measurements on your eyes as well as the curvature of the cornea, and contact lenses can skew these measurements. Be sure to bring your correct prescription glasses to be reviewed as well. This initial evaluation is vital, and it is necessary to take any suggestions and comments of your doctor very seriously.

Research and educate yourself to ease fear and worries. It is a normal and reasonable feeling to be nervous before surgery. After all, the eyes are one of the most vulnerable organs in our bodies. However, going blind or experiencing major side effects after lasik eye surgery is very rare. Nationally, 95 to 98 percent of patients treated with a laser procedure do not need further prescription glasses or lenses to perform daily activities. As for the frequent concern which is pain during the surgery, surgeons use anesthetic eye drops during the procedure.

On the day of your surgery, DON’T dress to impress. Do not wear any big hair pieces because they could interfere with the procedures. In addition do not put on makeup, lotion, or perfume as they could increase the risk of infection post-surgery. It is advised to not wear any eye makeup or lotion within the next two weeks after you undergo the surgery, for similar reasons. Make sure to eat light beforehand and take any prescribed medications that are allowed by your doctor. Also arrange for transportation after surgery. If there is any reason you are not feeling well during the day, call your doctor to ask whether you can reschedule the surgery.

Don’t be a hero, use those sick days. It is imperative you take some time off work to rest post-surgery. How long will depend on each person and their healing rate, so you must check with your doctor on the amount of time you need whether it is a day or a week. It is recommended not do any sporting activities within two days after surgery and not to engage in any contact sports within four weeks. Also, do not do any swimming or hot tubing for the next eight weeks.

Listening to your body is crucial for recovery. For the days immediately after the operation, your vision might be blurry and your eyes might be itchy or teary. You might even experience some minor pain. These are all normal post- surgery effects, however, if there are any symptoms that might be worsening such as sensitivity to light or your eyes turning extremely red, contact your doctor immediately. It is best to keep in mind that on average, it takes about three to six months for your vision to stabilize.