Are you excited for your LASIK procedure? Have you started to get organized and prepare for LASIK eye surgery?
It is important to spend time before your procedure properly preparing. Preparing in advance will allow you to relax before and after LASIK.
This will also let you have a successful procedure. We understand how important your vision is, and that it is normal to be scared and nervous before surgery.
Even though LASIK has a high success rate, there are still a few things that you can do to prepare for your procedure. Keep reading to learn what you should know before you have LASIK!
Follow All Pre-Surgery Instructions
Your doctor will recommend you stop wearing contact lenses about a week before LASIK. You should also not wear any lotions or makeup a week before you have LASIK.
While this might seem like an inconvenience, you need to follow these steps. Contacts can change the shape of your cornea, at least temporarily.
Not wearing them allows your corneas to return to their normal shape. Your corneas need to be their proper shape for LASIK to be as successful as possible.
Not wearing makeup or lotions reduces the chances of infection. Makeup also could result in small particles getting your eyes.
There Are No Needles Or Stitches, Just Numbing Drops
LASIK is an outpatient procedure and patients are awake the entire time. Some patients may get a mild sedative pre-surgery to keep calm and to reduce discomfort.
Numbing eye drops serve as an anesthetic, which numbs the whole surface of the eye. There are no stitches necessary with LASIK! You will receive protective goggles to wear while sleeping. These keep your eyes safe and prevent you from rubbing your eyes.
LASIK Is A Quick Procedure
LASIK eye surgery only takes a few minutes per eye. Taking a mild sedative helps keep patients calm and comfortable during this process. Most patients experience a full recovery within a day or two.
Expect Results Within A Day or Less
Patients typically rest a few hours post-surgery to help their eyes heal. When they wake up, they often notice an improved vision. If you don’t, don’t worry!
It can take a few days for your vision to start stabilizing after LASIK. This is also considered normal.
Take Time Off To Recover
While you may have a clearer vision and are comfortable driving, you need to take time off to rest. LASIK is a surgical procedure, so you should take enough time off to recover.
A lot of patients return to their daily lives quite quickly. But you need to avoid pools and hot tubs for a month after LASIK to avoid getting an infection.
Are Follow-Up Appointments Included In The Total Cost?
While some doctors include follow-up appointments in their LASIK prices, not all do. You should ask your doctor what their prices include.
Check to see if follow-up appointments are included in their package. Follow-up appointments are a crucial part of the recovery process after having LASIK.
Expect to attend one the day after LASIK, and then several more over the next six months to a year.
Ask Questions Before Having LASIK
Asking questions will help you be as prepared as possible, which will calm your nerves. Make sure you write down questions as you think of them, so you do not forget them. Bring these questions with you to your LASIK consultation.
To have a successful procedure, it is important to be as prepared as possible.
Are you interested in learning more about LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Loden Vision Centers in Nashville, TN and find out if you’re a LASIK candidate!
