LASIK eye surgery requires careful preparation. Your eyes are extremely sensitive, and taking the proper steps will create the best circumstances for you and your surgeon. Use the following tips alongside professional guidance in the days prior to the procedure.

How to Properly Prepare for LASIK

1. Schedule a Ride & Helping Hand

Difficulty seeing is expected following LASIK surgery, so arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from the surgeon’s office. In the coming days, you’ll need a helping hand around the house while your eyes adjust to the vision change. Take a few days off work, relax on the couch, and enlist a friend or roommate to help you cook and handle daily needs.

2. Stop Wearing Your Contact Lenses

Surgeons recommend that patients stop wearing their contact lenses one or several weeks before the procedure depending on the type of lenses and the state of your vision. This is because the lenses can reshape the corneal surface on your eye and impact the surgery and recovery. When you stop wearing your contact lenses, the corneal surface will be able to relax and create the best situation for your surgeon.

3. Wear the Right Clothes

LASIK surgery takes roughly 10 minutes for each eye. Anticipate 15-minute waiting times before and after the procedure. To ensure you’re comfortable throughout the experience, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You won’t feel restricted during the procedure or have difficulty changing clothes at home.

Avoid fabrics that may shed, however, and clean lint off. You don’t want airborne particles to interfere with the procedure.

4. Don’t Use Makeup or Cosmetic Products

Don’t use hairspray, perfume, cologne, hair products, or any other cosmetic products that contain alcohol, as they’ll dry out your skin. Don’t wear eye makeup for at least 24 hours before the surgery to ensure you don’t irritate or damage your eyes. Avoid strong fragrances as well—these can be distracting to the surgeon. Going as plain as possible will create the best experience for everyone.

The team at Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight is proud to offer LASIK and other services to patients in the greater Cincinnati, OH, area and northern Kentucky. Led by highly trained doctors, this practice provides a wide range of eye care services, including cataract and glaucoma surgery and laser eye care. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (859) 525-6215 to schedule a consultation.