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Mr David Allamby
MD, FRCOphth, FRCS
Preparing for LASIK Surgery
If you've decided to undergo LASIK at Focus Clinics, you're on the path to clearer vision. LASIK laser eye surgery is a life-changing procedure that can significantly improve your vision and eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
But, before you go under the laser, there are a few things you need to do to prepare. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to ensure a successful LASIK experience.
Stop Wearing Contact Lenses
One of the most critical steps in preparing for LASIK surgery is discontinuing contact lenses. Contact lenses can alter the shape of your cornea, which may affect the accuracy of the LASIK procedure.
You should stop wearing soft contact lenses for at least one week before your surgery and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses for extended periods.
If your contact lenses correct astigmatism (totic lenses), stop wearing them for two weeks before LASIK. Be sure to discuss your specific situation with your Focus surgeon to get personalised guidance.
Give Yourself Time
LASIK is a quick procedure, but the preparation and recovery takes time. Plan to ensure you have enough days off work or other commitments. After the surgery, you may need up to two days to recover, so make sure your schedule is clear for at least a couple of days after the procedure.
Your eyes may be sensitive, and you'll want to take it easy during this period.
Speak To Your Surgeon About Medication
If you are taking any medications or have medical conditions, discussing this with your LASIK surgeon is crucial. Some medications may interfere with the surgery or affect your recovery.
Your surgeon will guide whether you need to adjust your medication schedule.
Type Of Medication | Why Can I Not Take This? |
|---|---|
Immunosuppressants | These medications impact how the body heals and can lead to LASIK complications. |
Anti-inflammatory medications | These medications impact how the body heals and can lead to LASIK complications. |
Drugs which decrease tear production: Beta-blockers, roaccutane, isotretinoin | These medications can lead to dry eyes, exacerbating the side effects of LASIK during the healing process. |
Oral steroids | Patients taking steroids may have conditions which increase the likelihood of developing infections or other complications. |
Dress Comfortably
Comfort is key when preparing for LASIK surgery. You'll be asked to lie down for a while during the procedure, so wearing comfortable and loose-fitting clothing is advisable. Avoid anything that may irritate your eyes or restrict your movement. Remember that you'll want to feel at ease both before and after the surgery.
On your LASIK surgery day, avoid wearing makeup, especially around your eyes. Makeup particles can increase the risk of infection, and keeping your eye area clean and sterile is essential. It's best to come to your appointment with a clean, makeup-free face.
Organise Your Ride Home
After LASIK surgery, your vision may be temporarily blurred or unstable, so you won't be able to drive yourself home. Arrange for a reliable friend or family member to pick you up after your procedure. This is an essential safety precaution to ensure you return home safely without putting yourself or others at risk.
Preparing for LASIK surgery is just as crucial as the procedure itself. Following these steps will help ensure a successful LASIK experience at Focus Clinics. Soon, you'll be on your way to a life with clearer vision and newfound freedom from glasses or contacts.
Further reading to help you on your LASIK journey:
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Why Choose Us?
100% 20/20 vision
Focus Clinic has a remarkable 100% success rate for 20/20 vision. We know of no other clinic that has matched these results. There is a big difference between, for example, 98% and 100% success, especially if you are in the 2%.
10 year guarantee
Your 10 Year Guarantee means you can return at any time if you have additional questions on the quality of your vision. If you have distance vision correction for short-sight then any repeat laser eye treatments to correct a return of myopia in the first 10 years are included free of charge.*
Most trusted eye treatment clinic
We have the highest trust rating of any ‘eye treatment’ rated clinic, according to independent review site TrustPilot. With an outstanding 9.9 out of 10, when it comes to your eyes, choose the clinic that actual patients trust the most.
*Terms and conditions apply, excludes any age-related changes and conditions unrelated to the primary treatment
* 100% 20/20 success is from our peer-reviewed published results for LASIK binocular vision treating short-sight up to -6.00 dioptres including up to 2.00 dioptres of astigmatism.
**J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023 Nov 1;49(11):1140-1146. Ray-tracing-guided myopic LASIK: real-world clinical outcomes. George He, Chandra Bala
100% SUCCESS RATE
10 YEAR GUARANTEE
#1 IN THE UK TRUSTPILOT RATING
CELEBRITIES CLINIC OF CHOICE