Pre-Operative Instructions for LASIK Surgery
At Primary Eye Care Associates, we always take great care when it comes to helping patients in and around the greater Chicago area. We provide exceptional eye care services, including LASIK and other advanced laser vision correction surgeries.
Many patients wonder about what happens before LASIK is performed and what they need to know about the pre-op phase of LASIK. Let's go over this briefly right now.
Why Pre-op Instructions Are So Important
Believe it or not, healing from LASIK begins before the procedure is even performed. Pre-operative instructions for LASIK are designed to prepare the body for the recovery process, helping ensure that complications do not occur and that side effects are not as severe. It's imperative that patients follow all pre-op and post-op instructions to the letter.
Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages both impede the healing process. Tobacco can make infections more likely, for instance, as can the consumption of alcohol. For this reason, it's important that LASIK patients avoid the use of tobacco products and alcohol for a few week prior to LASIK and a few weeks after LASIK. This is to make sure optimal healing occurs.
Stop Wearing Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can alter the shape of your corneas. Since LASIK is performed in order to reshape the corneas, it's important that a patient's corneas be in a proper rest position before the surgery is performed. About two weeks to a month prior to the surgery, patients will be asked to not wear contact lenses. Harder lenses will require more time off than soft ones.
Fill Prescriptions and Run Errands Ahead of Time
It's important that your recovery period after LASIK be as relaxing as possible. For that reason, it's a good idea to fill all prescriptions ahead of time and to run any and all errands necessary in the week before surgery. This includes buying groceries, cleaning around the home, doing laundry, and so forth. Getting this done early means more time to relax and recovery following the LASIK procedure.
Arrange for Transportation to and from the Surgical Suite
After LASIK, you will not be in any state to operate a vehicle. For that reason, it's important to have a loved one drive you to and from the practice. This ensure safety and is a common sense measure to take.
It's also a good idea to have a loved one present in the first day or so as you recover from LASIK. This will allow you to have someone to run minor errands and to contact the practice with pressing matters in case you cannot yourself.
Take Pre-Operative Medication as Instructed
LASIK patients are often asked to use certain eye medications before they undergo LASIK. This is a means of preparing the eyes for the surgery. Be sure to following these instructions to the letter to ensure the best possible surgical results and as few complications as possible.
What to Do Before Going In for Surgery
The day or your LASIK surgery, be sure to shower and wear loose, comfortable clothing to the practice. Do not wear any makeup, lotions, creams, colognes, perfumes, or jewelry to the practice. Instead, simply relax and come to the practice with a positive attitude.
Learn More About LASIK Surgery
To learn more about LASIK surgery and how it can help you have clear and crisp vision, it's important that you contact our laser vision correction center today. The team at Primary Eye Care Associates will work with you to ensure your vision is the best that it can be.
