LASIK surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure meaning patients receive treatment and go home the same day. For this reason, it is important to prepare properly before and after undergoing LASIK surgery:
Getting Ready
It is important to have a good grasp of LASIK surgery, including its benefits and potential risks. As such, you should make an appointment with your surgeon and discuss everything about this type of surgery. In addition, a pre-surgery eye exam is necessary to evaluate vision problems, underlying factors, and determine best treatment option. During this exam, surgeons scrutinize cornea shape and take precise measurements to calculate amount of tissue to remove or reshape during surgery. At the same time, most surgeons require patients to stop wearing contact lenses at least seven days prior to surgery. This period could extend to two to four weeks for people who wear toric, rigid gas permeable, or hard lenses.
Day before Surgery
The day before surgery, do not use makeup, lotions, perfumes, or creams. This is necessary to reduce risk of infections during or after surgery. Some physicians advise their clients to clean eyelashes more often starting a few days before surgery to get rid of debris that could be a source of infections.It is wise to get someone to drive you to your surgery appointment and back home. Finally, you should be in good general health. If not so, inform and consult your doctor.
Day of the Surgery
Once again, do not apply makeup, lotion, or creams on your face. Do not wear perfume as well. If your surgeon had prescribed medications, maintain recommended daily dosage. Summon your designated driver to take you to your surgeon’s facility. Here, you will have to sign an informed consent form.
Before the surgery, the surgeon will clean your eyelashes and apply anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, and anesthetic drops. Where necessary, a mild sedative is administered as well. After this, the surgeon will escort you to surgery room where you will lie down. Numbing drops are applied and a lid speculum is used to keep eyes open and still throughout the LASIK procedure. Surgeryinvolves use of a laser or a medical tool called a microkeratome to cut and reshape specific cornea parts. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete.
After Surgery
You are likely to experience temporary symptoms such as itching, tearing, and blurred vision. IF you do, you do not necessarily have to worry because they will clear over time. Expect improved vision within two to three months.
If you have upcoming LASIK surgery, do not wear contact lenses. Moreover, do not wear makeup or apply lotion the day before and day of surgery. Finally, arrange transport to and from your surgeon’s clinic.
For the best LASIK results, you also need to choose a eye surgeon who has the experience and record of proven results. Contact Dr. John Goosey for clearer vision with LASIK, he’s the doctor that doctors trust!
