April 15, 20264 min read
The Best Result Starts Before You Arrive
A successful laser eye procedure is not just about what happens in the operating room. The week leading up to surgery matters too. Patients who prepare well have smoother experiences and faster recoveries.
Here is the checklist I give my own patients.
Here is the checklist I give my own patients.
Two Weeks Before Surgery
- **Stop wearing soft contact lenses for at least 7 days**, or 2-3 weeks for hard/rigid contacts. Contacts can temporarily distort your corneal shape, which throws off our measurements.
- **Schedule your final measurement visit.** This is where we lock in the laser settings.
- **Plan a ride home.** You will not be able to drive after surgery.
- **Tell us about every medication you take**, including supplements. Some need to be paused.
- **Schedule your final measurement visit.** This is where we lock in the laser settings.
- **Plan a ride home.** You will not be able to drive after surgery.
- **Tell us about every medication you take**, including supplements. Some need to be paused.
The Day Before Surgery
- **No eye makeup, perfume, or scented lotions.** They can leave residue around the lashes.
- **Eat normally and stay hydrated.** A well-rested, well-fed patient is a comfortable patient.
- **Get a good night's sleep.** Stress affects how your body heals.
- **Set out comfortable clothes for the next day** — something soft and easy to put on without going over your head.
- **Eat normally and stay hydrated.** A well-rested, well-fed patient is a comfortable patient.
- **Get a good night's sleep.** Stress affects how your body heals.
- **Set out comfortable clothes for the next day** — something soft and easy to put on without going over your head.
The Day of Surgery
- **Eat a light breakfast.** You will be awake during the procedure and we do not want you light-headed.
- **No makeup, no perfume, no contact lenses.** Just a clean face and clean hands.
- **Arrive 30 minutes early.** Allow time for paperwork and final drops without rushing.
- **Bring sunglasses for the ride home.** Your eyes will be light-sensitive for a few hours.
- **Plan to rest at home for the rest of the day.** Nap, listen to music, lie down. Avoid screens.
- **No makeup, no perfume, no contact lenses.** Just a clean face and clean hands.
- **Arrive 30 minutes early.** Allow time for paperwork and final drops without rushing.
- **Bring sunglasses for the ride home.** Your eyes will be light-sensitive for a few hours.
- **Plan to rest at home for the rest of the day.** Nap, listen to music, lie down. Avoid screens.
A Tip Most Patients Don't Know
Keeping your eyes well-hydrated for the two weeks before surgery — with preservative-free artificial tears, 4 times a day — can noticeably improve your healing and reduce dry eye symptoms after surgery. It is the single easiest thing you can do to help your result.
What to Expect on the Day
You will check in, have a final eye check, and meet your surgeon (that is me) one more time. Numbing drops go in. The whole procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye for LASIK and SMILE.
You will not feel pain. You will feel pressure for a few seconds. You will see lights. We will talk you through every step.
When it is over, your eyes may feel watery or scratchy for a few hours. By the time you wake up the next day, the world will look different.
You will not feel pain. You will feel pressure for a few seconds. You will see lights. We will talk you through every step.
When it is over, your eyes may feel watery or scratchy for a few hours. By the time you wake up the next day, the world will look different.
pre-op
preparation
LASIK
SMILE
PRK