Are you excited about your upcoming LASIK surgery but feeling a bit overwhelmed with preparation? While saying goodbye to glasses and contact lenses is thrilling, preparing for your LASIK surgery can make a difference in a successful outcome. In this guide on pre-LASIK eye care, we’ll equip you with the essential knowledge and actionable steps you should take before the big day so that you can walk into our premier vision correction clinic confident and ready to embrace your new vision.

Our Pre-LASIK Eye Care Essentials Checklist

1. Discontinue Contact Lens Use.

One of the first LASIK preparation steps you should take is to stop wearing your contact lenses. This is because the lenses can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea, which may affect the precision of pre-surgical measurements. Here’s a breakdown of when to stop wearing different types of lenses:

• Soft Contact Lenses: Discontinue use at least 1 day (24 hours) prior to your evaluation appointment.
• Soft Toric Contact Lenses: Discontinue for 1 week (7 days) prior to your evaluation appointment.
• Rigid Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses: Discontinue use 3 weeks prior to your evaluation appointment.

This timeline allows your cornea to return to its natural shape, ensuring accurate measurements for your LASIK treatment. Once OVO has obtained reliable measurements, you can typically resume your contact lens use until 24 hours prior to your procedure, unless instructed by your doctor to leave out for a longer period of time.

2. Hydrate Your Eyes.

Another pre-LASIK instruction for the the days leading up to your surgery is to put extra emphasis on properly hydrating your eyes to maintain their health.

• Drink Adequate Water: Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses daily to keep your body and eyes hydrated.
• Use Artificial Tears: Purchase plenty of preservative-free artificial tears and incorporate them into your routine as directed by our staff. This will help alleviate dryness and prepare your eyes for your LASIK surgery. Even if your eyes do not feel dry, the extra artificial tears will help improve your corneal surface for the LASIK procedure. You can’t overuse the PF artificial tears, so drop those eyes often!

3. Maintain Eye Hygiene.

To minimize the risk of infection and ensure optimal conditions for your LASIK surgery, follow these pre-LASIK eye care instructions:

• Remove Eye Makeup: Eliminate all eye makeup, including mascara and eyeliner, the night before surgery.
• Avoid Creams/Lotions: Refrain from using eye creams or moisturizers around the eyes on the day of the procedure.
• Skip Fragrances: Avoid wearing any perfume or cologne on surgery day to minimize irritation.
• Steer Clear of Hot Tubs & Swimming: Avoid these activities in the days leading up to surgery to prevent infections.

Preparing Your Eyes in the Weeks Leading Up To LASIK

In the weeks leading up to your LASIK surgery procedure, we recommend getting your eyes ready for the big day by heeding:

1. Your Nutrition. Your diet can significantly impact your body’s healing capabilities, so you’ll want to support it by increasing hydration levels, eating nutrient-rich foods high in vitamins A, C, and E (carrots, oranges, almonds) to support eye health, and limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake in the days prior to your LASIK surgery.

2. Avoid Smoking. It’s vital to cease smoking 3 weeks pre-LASIK surgery, as smoking can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications such as infections and dry eye.

3. Medication Guidelines. For medications, you’ll want to continue prescribed medications unless otherwise directed, avoid taking blood thinners, and use any pre-operative eye drops as instructed.

Final LASIK Prep – The Day Before and Day of Surgery

In the 24-48 hours leading into appointment day, you’ll want to complete these LASIK preparation steps:

1. Get a restful night’s sleep the night prior.
2. Gently cleanse your eyelids and lashes to remove debris.
3. Wear loose-fitting clothes for comfort, without accessories.
4. Use deep breathing or meditation exercises to calm pre-LASIK surgery nerves.
5. Read our LASIK page to learn what to expect on LASIK day.
6. Bring a supportive friend who can drive you home and give you any reassurance you may need.

A Clearer, Brighter Future Awaits With LASIK

At OVO LASIK + LENS, we’re dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. Have questions about any of these pre-LASIK eye care guidelines? Don’t hesitate to contact our team for assistance as you prepare your eyes for surgery.