Preparing for LASIK: What to Avoid Before the Procedure
You’re about to get LASIK. Exciting! You’re one step closer to waking up and seeing your alarm clock without fumbling for glasses. You’ve probably received a standard list of preoperative instructions: stop wearing contact lenses, don’t wear makeup, arrange for a ride home. These are important—but they are just the beginning. How well you prepare before surgery can directly impact your experience and even your results. When the surface of the eye is in its most natural, stable state, the laser treatment can be more accurate. Likewise, setting up a comfortable recovery environment helps reduce irritation and supports healing in the hours right after your procedure.
Here’s what to consider as you prepare for LASIK including what to avoid before the procedure:
- Avoid Neglecting Your Space: Prep Your Home Environment
Your eyes will be light-sensitive and your vision may be blurry for the first several hours after surgery. You’ll be tempted to check your phone “just for a sec,” but resist. Keep screen time limited or better yet restricted. Instead, queue up podcasts, audiobooks or music. Set yourself up for rest and recovery by creating a calm space ahead of time. That means:
- Tidying up to avoid unnecessary movement or strain
- Dimming bright lights
- Setting out essentials such as eye drops, sunglasses, and tissues, within easy reach
- Avoid Cooking Stress: Make Meals Easy
After LASIK, you’ll need to avoid overexerting yourself. Cooking a full dinner will likely be low on your want-to-do list. Either consider prepping a few simple, nourishing meals ahead of time or stock your fridge or freezer with ready-made options, avoiding salty chips or spicy takeout that will irritate already-dry eyes. Start drinking more water the day before and keep it up post-op. Dry eyes are common after LASIK, and dehydration will only make it worse.
- Avoid Fragrance and Aerosols
On the day of surgery avoid perfume, cologne, scented lotions or sprays. These can affect air quality in the surgical suite and potentially interfere with the laser. It’s best to keep your skincare routine minimal and scent-free that day. Don’t keep scented products out in the open—not just for surgery day—keep strong fragrances, diffusers or aerosols away from the recovery area. Your eyes may be sensitive to any irritants for a few days.
- Avoid Your Normal To-Do’s: Don’t Plan to Power Through
Even though LASIK has a long-standing reputation for being quick and minimally invasive, recovery still requires care. Avoid scheduling anything immediately after the procedure, even errands or light work. Resting your eyes and minimizing activity for the first 12-24 hours helps reduce irritation and supports healing. Speaking of healthy eyes, if you are a contact lens wearer, contacts can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea. If you wear soft lenses, stop wearing them at least 1 week before your pre-op exam; if you wear hard or gas-permeable lenses, stop at least 3-4 weeks prior to surgery.
- Avoid the DIY Recovery Method
Even if you feel fine, don’t plan on recovering solo. Ask a friend or family member to help you get settled, prep your drops and gently remind you not to rub your eyes. Feeling anxious before LASIK is completely normal. To ease your nerves, try writing down any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss with your surgical team ahead of time. It can also help to do a quick dry run of your surgery day routine, so you’re not rushed or flustered. For extra peace of mind, consider creating a calming playlist or downloading a meditation app to use the night before and during your ride home.
If you have questions about what to expect before or after your surgery, don’t hesitate to reach out to your care team—we’re here to help you see clearly in every sense of the word. Contact Correct Vision laser Institute at 954-442-1133 or WEBSITE.