Preparing for LASIK:
6 Things To Do Before Surgery

During your consultation, it is important to share your complete medical history with your doctor. Certain health conditions, medications or previous eye problems may affect your suitability for LASIK surgery or influence how your eyes heal after the procedure.

Examples of information you should mention include:

• Previous eye conditions such as glaucoma, keratoconus or severe dry eye
• Past eye surgeries or injuries
• Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases
• Current medications, including steroids, isotretinoin or immunosuppressants
• Any history of vision changes or complications with contact lenses

It is also important to mention any allergies, particularly to medications or eye drops. This information allows your doctor to plan the safest and most appropriate approach for your eye care.

While they are a convenient alternative to glasses, contact lenses can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea. For the laser to precisely reshape your eye and correct your refractive error, your cornea must return to its natural curvature.

Your ophthalmologist will provide a specific timeline based on the type of lenses you wear:

• Soft Contact Lenses: Stop wearing them at least one to two weeks before your preoperative evaluation and surgery.
• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) or Hard Lenses: These rigid lenses can affect the cornea for a longer period. You may need to stop wearing them for 3–4 weeks or longer.

During this period, switch to wearing your glasses full-time. This ensures that the measurements taken during your consultation are accurate and that your treatment plan is tailored to your eye health.

Certain medications may affect how your body heals or exacerbate temporary side effects such as dry eyes. For instance, antihistamines, acne treatments and some antidepressants can increase ocular dryness, which may impact your comfort during recovery. Ensure you inform your eye surgeon about all prescriptions and supplements you are currently taking, so they can advise you on whether to pause them prior to your procedure.

On the day of your surgery, your face should be clean and free from skincare products, fragrances or eye makeup. These items can introduce unwanted particles near your eyes, which may interfere with the procedure or increase the risk of irritation afterwards.

Prepare a recovery kit at home beforehand. This should include high-quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from light sensitivity, your prescribed eye drops and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to rest in.

LASIK is a straightforward outpatient procedure. Your surgeon will begin by applying numbing eye drops to ensure you feel no pain. They will then use a specialised instrument (often a femtosecond laser) to create a thin corneal flap, which is then lifted to allow an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.

The entire procedure takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes. No stitches are required, as the corneal flap adheres naturally during the healing process. Arrange for someone to accompany you home after the procedure since your vision may be hazy for a few hours.

Preparing for recovery after LASIK surgery can help make the process more comfortable and reduce unnecessary strain on your eyes. Although many patients experience improved vision within a short period, your eyes will still need time to heal properly.

To aid your recovery:

• Plan for someone to accompany you home after surgery
• Avoid digital screens, reading or visually demanding tasks for the first day
• Stay away from dusty or smoky environments
• Prepare eye drops or any medication recommended by your doctor
• Avoid potentially irritating activities such as strenuous exercise, swimming, or applying eye makeup
• Do not rub your eyes, as this can dislodge the healing corneal flap

Attending your scheduled follow-up visits is also necessary to help your doctor monitor your healing progress and ensure your vision is stabilising correctly.

Preparing for LASIK is a collaborative effort between you and your surgeon. By following pre-operative instructions, you actively contribute to the safety and success of your procedure. These small steps in preparation pave the way for a smooth recovery and the long-term benefit of clear, unaided vision.

At Eye Surgeons @ Novena, our senior consultant ophthalmologist Dr Cordelia Chan provides comprehensive assessments to evaluate your eye health, discuss LASIK expectations and recovery and guide you through the preparation process so you can approach surgery with confidence. Dr Chan also offers dedicated post-surgery support to ensure your vision correction journey is seamless.

If you are looking for personalised guidance and care, schedule an appointment with our clinic today.