Undergoing corrective vision corrective surgery is a major decision. Fortunately, the advancements in the Lasik refractive procedure have rendered it a safe, comfortable, and relatively predictable process, giving Manhattan clients freedom from clunky glasses and the maintenance of contact lenses. 

Still, clients are bound and encouraged to have questions and concerns about what’s expected of them before the day of surgery to achieve the best outcome.  

Once you’ve done due diligence in finding a reputable reliable, qualified surgeon and have been deemed a viable candidate, a consultation is appropriate so the surgeon can let you know what to expect and go over pre-procedural instruction. Visit 10 Things to Consider Before You Get LASIK – Facty Health for factors to consider before getting corrective surgery. 

Let’s review some common prep steps for all clients to have an effective and safe Lasik eye surgery. 

Preprocedural Tips for Lasik Eye Surgery 

When you decide to have corrective vision surgery, finding a quality and credentialed surgeon in Manhattan should be prioritized, and then you must be deemed an appropriate candidate.  

Before anticipating the surgery, consulting with the surgeon will calm any nerves as the surgeon explains the process and you learn what to expect. You will also be given instructions on things to do and not do before coming in for the procedure. The following standard tips should be followed for the most effective and safest laser vision correction. 

Medical history 

The doctor will review your medical history when consulting before the procedure.  

It’s essential to gather thorough details and present an honest, accurate record of general medical and eye history without omitting underlying conditions or allergies and disclosing all medications, including over the counter, prescriptions, and supplements. 

You want to avoid deciding what’s pertinent to this surgery and what you believe is irrelevant. The medical provider can only make accurate determination based on what you tell them.  

A medical judgment calls by the doctor based on a full record is vital; the personal judgment you make by withholding details can be risky. Click to learn if Lasik is right for you.  

Hydration 

The human body is comprised of roughly 60 percent water, which is used for the adequate functioning of organs, cells, and tissues. Hydrating not only flushes the body of toxins and waste but promotes recovery and healing. When undergoing  

Lasik, the eyes can be temporarily susceptible to dryness, making it vital to get plenty of water before surgery. Using artificial tears (over the counter) is also recommended to reduce the dry feeling immediately after the procedure. 

As a rule, the recommended daily intake is 8 oz x eight glasses, in addition to consuming hydrating foods and other beverages. Alcohol, however, is dehydrating and discouraged before corrective surgery. It can also interfere with the meds provided for the process. 

In that same vein, it is further suggested that people refrain from caffeine. The surgeon prefers clients to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Caffeine dehydrates and tends to make it difficult to focus or remain still; some become jittery. 

Alcohol 

The surgeon doesn’t restrict what clients can drink or shouldn’t, leading to the corrective procedure. However, the surgeon does request that clients refrain from having alcohol on the day Lasik is performed. Alcohol, like caffeine, dehydrates. 

If you are someone who already has dry eyes, it’s wise to avoid anything that can worsen that effect. Additionally, the surgeon does not want to provide an oral sedative when you’ve consumed alcohol. Surgeons offer a sedative to relax clients while keeping them alert throughout the procedure. Alcohol can hinder focus. 

Following the surgery, an oral pain pill will be provided to, again, help with relaxing, and it also should not be taken with alcohol. 

Eye drops 

The tear film is assessed when considering whether the procedure is a safe choice. Sometimes, eyes are prone to dryness due to medications or a particular condition. The tear film quality could be improved using artificial tears (over the counter). 

The surgeon must be made aware if you use medicated eye drops to offer accurate preprocedural instructions. Allergy drops or decongestants should be stopped on the day of the procedure, but these can typically be resumed the following day. 

Contacts 

Lasik prep can prove a little more of a hassle for those wearing contacts since they need to stop wearing them before the surgery. The type of material will determine when to stop wearing them. Soft lenses must be out for roughly 7 days or at your surgeon’s discretion. 

Toric lenses for astigmatism correction must be out for as long as 14 days, again, at your surgeon’s discretion. You will follow the instructions provided at the consult for other specialty lenses.  

The reason for keeping contacts out for some time is due to their capacity for distorting the cornea shape, the front surface of the eye. This measurement is critical for Lasik calculations. 

In that same vein, despite adequate care, contacts harbor bacteria, which can not only interfere with healing but can also increase the risk of infection. If you struggle and are unsafe without contacts leading up to the surgery, getting an updated pair of glasses may be necessary if you don’t have one.  

It may be the last thing you want, but prioritizing function and safety is essential. 

Final Thought 

Having professional Lasik eye surgery Manhattan is a major decision, one that takes careful thought and requires consultation with a qualified and reputable corrective vision surgeon. Many of the tips provided here will be offered as preprocedural instructions. They’re relatively simple.  

The surgeon will also provide an outline of postsurgical instructions that you should read carefully to make sure you understand. These are developed to ensure an effective and successful outcome and a quick, complete recovery. 

It’s essential to address any questions and concerns during the consult or call your surgeon in the days leading up to the surgery to avoid the possibility of being nervous going into the procedure. Surgeries should always be approached with a good mind and the utmost positivity.