How to Prepare for Laser Eye Surgery
What You Need to Do
Prepare for Your Laser Eye Surgery - What You Need to Do
Make sure your surgeon is aware of your medical history
During your consultation your surgeon needs to be made aware of any general medical concerns and medication you’re taking on a regular basis, including allergies.
Clean eyes, skin and hair
To help stop infection after your laser eye surgery, ensure your eyes, skin and hair are clean. Do not wear makeup and no perfume, cologne, aftershave, hair spray or gel. We recommend not using eye makeup for 1-2 days before your surgery. Do not wear false eyelashes as they will interfere with the procedure and need to be removed.
No contacts, switch to glasses
If you usually wear contact lenses, please switch to glasses 1 week prior to surgery. Contact lenses can alter the shape of your corneas, making the results of your laser eye surgery less accurate and less effective. Hard lenses must be left out for a minimum of one month.
Driving after your eye surgery
Someone will need to drop you off and pick you up from surgery. Do not drive after your procedure. We recommend you do not drive to the post surgery consult the next day. We will check your vision and eyes to ensure you pass the driving standard.
Fasting and alcohol
Fasting is not required in preparation for laser eye surgery. We recommend having a light meal or snack prior to attending your surgery. We do not recommend drinking alcohol on the day of surgery to prevent dehydration of the tissue around the eyes.
Be comfortable
We recommend wearing comfortable and warm clothing on the day of your laser eye surgery. Bring socks for the cool temperature inside the theatre. Avoid shedding, fluffy fabrics and garments that go over your head.
After the surgery
After the laser eye surgery you will wear a clear protective shield over your eyes which can be removed the following morning. Keep these as you will be required to wear the shields while sleeping for five nights to prevent your eyes being knocked or rubbed during sleep.
The following day you will come in for a post operative examination. The doctor will check your eyes and give further post operative instructions regarding eye drops and care. It is recommended that you attend a follow up appointment again at six to eight weeks after surgery, then as recommended by your doctor. It is best to arrange these appointments well in advance as they are often heavily booked. For more information on the days and weeks following your surgery, read about what to expect during laser eye surgery recovery.
