How to Prepare Properly
for Your LASIK Procedure
- Last Updated:March 3, 2025
LASIK doesn’t begin or end on the day of the procedure. There are things you need to do beforehand to make sure your LASIK journey goes smoothly.
Preparing for LASIK surgery requires careful planning and specific steps to ensure the best possible outcome. Let us help you with everything you need to know before your LASIK procedure, from weeks of preparation to the day of surgery:
Steps to Follow as you Prepare for LASIK
Stop Wearing Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can alter your cornea’s shape, affecting surgical measurements and outcomes. Remove soft contacts at least 7 days (1 week) before surgery and hard contacts 14 days (2 weeks) prior. Use glasses during this period to allow your corneas to return to their natural shape.
Avoid Usage of Facial Products Prior to the Surgery
Skip makeup, lotions, perfumes, and creams around your eyes and face 24 hours before surgery. These products can interfere with the sterile surgical environment and laser effectiveness.
Arrange a Ride
You will not be able to drive the same day you get LASIK, especially after the procedure. Your vision may improve the same day but you still can’t drive. Because of this, you need to have a plan for how you’ll get home.
Ask a family member or friend that you trust to accompany you and drive you home after the procedure. If all else fails, you can always get a taxi or use Grab to get home.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wear comfortable clothing, as you will need to be able to lay still for several minutes while the lasers are active. You should avoid fabrics that shed loose fibers or animal hair.
The Day before Procedure
The day before your procedure will be the most restrictive before recovery begins. You will not be able to have anything on your face, including makeup, lotions, and perfumes.
You can eat and drink, as usual, just avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness. You should also avoid smoking on your surgical date.
Prepare for Your Recovery
As you start to recover from LASIK, you will be limited to what you can and cannot do. This is to protect your eyes, as they will be quite fragile and prone to infection.
Know that you cannot do any heavy lifting for several days to a few weeks after the procedure. You may have to make an arrangement at your place of work while you heal.
Depending on when you have LASIK, you may need to take a few days off from work to have LASIK and recover. Plan some light activities to get you through the day.
Make sure to plot out plenty of time to rest, as you will be quite tired after the surgery. Do your best to avoid using anything with screens for the first day or two to give your eyes enough time to rest.
It is advisable to arrive at the clinic early on the day of your surgery so you can clarify everything else and fill out any last-minute paperwork. Make sure to ask any questions you may have as well.
Do you think LASIK could be right for you? Schedule a LASIK Screening at Shinagawa and find out for sure!
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