
LASIK surgery is a popular and fast way to fix refractive errors permanently.
If you are considering laser eye surgery or have booked an appointment for it that is scheduled soon, then it’s essential to understand how to prepare yourself. Your eyes must be protected and in good condition ahead of the procedure to ensure it goes smoothly. Below are a few dos and don’ts as you prepare for the procedure.
Do choose a reputable eye surgeon
With an operation as delicate as this, you would want to ensure that you are in the best hands possible. Consider an eye specialist in Johannesburg that has years of experience in this field and has stellar customer reviews to match.
Do wear comfortable clothing
Wear your most comfortable clothing and refrain from wearing fabric such as wool or lint, as this may interfere with the energy from the laser.
Do arrange for a ride home
The Lasik surgery may take about 30 minutes. Once it’s done, you may still feel groggy from the anaesthetic, and your vision may be blurry. Arrange for someone to wait for you while you are having the surgery or pick you up afterwards.
Don’t wear contact lenses
Over time, as you wear contact lenses regularly, the shape of your cornea changes to the shape of your lens. So, your doctor may instruct you to remove your contact lenses a few weeks ahead of your LASIK surgery so that your corneas return to their standard shape. This helps to improve the accuracy of correction, improving the surgical outcome. Consider wearing prescription glasses to replace your contact lenses.
Don’t wear eye makeup
You are more susceptible to getting an infection if you wear eye makeup during Lasik surgery. This also affects how long it will take you to heal post-surgery. Your doctor may request that you do not wear eye makeup for some time before your surgery. Make sure your eyes are clean and free of makeup on the day of your surgery.
Don’t drink alcohol
Drinking alcohol can dry out your eyes. Refrain from drinking alcohol at least 24 hours prior to the surgery and 48 hours post-surgery. For more information on how to prepare and what you should avoid to ensure a seamless healing process, get in touch with your eye surgeon.