How to Prepare for LASIK Surgery: A Complete Checklist

Your Complete LASIK Surgery Preparation Checklist

Use this checklist to organize your preparations before your LASIK appointment.

1. Schedule a Comprehensive LASIK Eye Examination

The first step is to undergo a detailed eye examination with a qualified ophthalmologist or refractive surgeon.

During the assessment, your doctor may evaluate:

• Your current vision prescription and refractive error.
• Corneal thickness and shape.
• Tear production and signs of dry eye.
• Eye pressure and overall eye health.
• Pupil size, when relevant to treatment planning.
• Retinal health, where indicated.
• Your medical history and medications.

Tests such as corneal topography or tomography may be performed to assess the shape and structure of the cornea.

These examinations help your surgeon determine whether LASIK is suitable or whether another vision correction option may be more appropriate.

Important: Do not choose LASIK based on your glasses prescription alone. Corneal health, prescription stability, and other individual factors are also important.

2. Stop Wearing Contact Lenses as Advised

Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of the cornea. This may affect the accuracy of measurements needed for LASIK planning.

Your surgeon may ask you to stop wearing contact lenses before your examination and surgery.

The recommended period depends on the type of lenses you use, including:

• Soft contact lenses.
• Toric soft lenses for astigmatism.
• Rigid gas-permeable lenses.
• Other specialty contact lenses.

There is no single stopping period that applies to everyone. Some patients may need to avoid lenses for several days, while others may need a longer break.

What should you do? Ask your eye surgeon exactly when to stop wearing your lenses. If you have already attended a preoperative examination, follow the instructions provided by your clinic.

Wear your glasses during the contact lens break if needed.

3. Inform Your Doctor About Your Medical History

Your overall health can influence whether LASIK is appropriate and how your eyes may heal.

Before surgery, tell your doctor about any relevant medical conditions, including:

• Diabetes or conditions affecting wound healing.
• Autoimmune disorders.
• Previous eye injuries or eye surgeries.
• Recurrent eye infections or inflammation.
• Persistent dry eye symptoms.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Any condition or medication that may affect healing or vision.

Also provide a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you take.

Do not stop prescribed medication on your own. Your surgeon will advise whether any changes are necessary.

Certain medical conditions do not automatically rule out LASIK, but they may require additional assessment or make another procedure a better option.

4. Follow Instructions About Eye Drops and Medications

Your surgeon may prescribe eye drops before or after LASIK depending on your examination findings and treatment plan.

Follow the instructions carefully, including the recommended dosage and timing.

Before surgery:

• Use only the eye drops recommended by your doctor.
• Tell your doctor about any medication allergies.
• Avoid using unprescribed eye drops.
• Clarify whether you should continue your existing eye medications.
• Ask whether any medication needs to be adjusted before the procedure.

If you experience redness, discharge, pain, or symptoms of an eye infection before your scheduled surgery, contact your clinic. Your surgeon may need to reassess whether it is appropriate to proceed.

5. Avoid Eye Makeup, Perfumes, and Lotions on Surgery Day

On the day of LASIK surgery, keep the area around your eyes clean.

Your clinic may recommend avoiding certain cosmetic or personal care products because residue can interfere with preparation and cleanliness around the eyes.

Before leaving home:

• Avoid eye makeup, including mascara and eyeliner.
• Do not apply facial creams or lotions around the eyes unless your clinic permits them.
• Avoid perfumes, colognes, and strongly scented products.
• Clean your eyelids gently as instructed.
• Do not use products that irritate your eyes.

If you normally wear makeup, plan to avoid it for the period recommended by your surgeon, including during the initial recovery period if advised.

6. Get Enough Sleep Before Your Procedure

A good night’s sleep can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed before surgery.

Try to maintain your usual sleep schedule the night before your appointment. Avoid staying up late unnecessarily, and follow any instructions your clinic provides about eating, drinking, or taking medications.

LASIK is generally performed using anaesthetic eye drops, so patients are usually awake during the procedure. You do not typically need general anaesthesia.

If you feel anxious, discuss your concerns with your surgeon before the procedure. Understanding the steps involved can help reduce uncertainty.

7. Arrange Transportation to and From the Clinic

Do not plan to drive yourself home immediately after LASIK surgery.

Your vision may be temporarily blurry, and your eyes may feel watery, irritated, or sensitive to light after the procedure.

Arrange for a family member or trusted person to accompany you or take you home.

Before surgery, confirm:

• Your appointment time and expected visit duration.
• Whether someone needs to accompany you.
• The transportation arrangements for your return.
• The clinic’s contact details in case you have questions afterward.

Even if your vision improves quickly, you should not drive until your eye surgeon confirms that your vision meets the required standard and it is safe to do so.

8. Prepare Your Home for Recovery

A little planning can make the first day after LASIK more comfortable.

Consider preparing the following:

• A clean, comfortable place to rest.
• Prescribed eye drops and clear instructions for their use.
• Sunglasses for comfort if you experience light sensitivity.
• Easy-to-prepare meals and drinking water.
• A phone with your clinic’s contact information saved.
• A reminder system for your medication schedule.

You may experience mild irritation, watering, a gritty sensation, or light sensitivity after surgery. These symptoms can occur during early recovery, but their severity and duration vary.

Rest when needed, avoid rubbing your eyes, and follow your surgeon’s instructions.

9. Plan Time Away From Work and Screen-Based Activities

Your recovery schedule depends on your occupation, the nature of your work, and your surgeon’s advice.

Some patients return to routine activities relatively quickly, but that does not mean everyone will be ready to resume all activities at the same time.

If you work on a computer, use digital devices extensively, or spend time in dusty or demanding environments, discuss your return-to-work plan with your surgeon.

Before surgery, consider:

• Keeping your schedule relatively light for the first day.
• Arranging leave if your job requires driving or sustained visual concentration.
• Reducing unnecessary screen use during the initial recovery period.
• Following advice about returning to exercise and outdoor activities.

Avoid strenuous exercise, swimming, and activities that could expose your eyes to dust, sweat, contaminated water, or accidental impact until your surgeon says they are safe.

10. Understand the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives

Before consenting to LASIK, make sure you understand what the procedure can and cannot achieve.

Potential benefits include reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses. However, LASIK does not guarantee perfect vision or eliminate the need for glasses in every situation.

Possible side effects and complications include:

• Dry eyes.
• Glare, halos, or difficulty seeing clearly at night.
• Temporary fluctuations in vision.
• Under-correction or over-correction.
• Infection or inflammation.
• Corneal complications, including rare but serious problems.

Some patients may need additional treatment, and age-related changes such as presbyopia can still affect near vision later in life.

Ask your surgeon about alternatives, which may include continuing to wear glasses or contact lenses, PRK, or other procedures where clinically appropriate.

An informed decision should be based on your individual eye health, expectations, and lifestyle rather than the promise of a particular visual outcome.

What Happens on the Day of LASIK Surgery?

Knowing what to expect can make the procedure feel less unfamiliar.

Although the exact process varies by clinic and treatment plan, the appointment generally includes the following steps.

Before the Procedure

The clinical team may confirm your medical history, review your consent, and repeat certain measurements.

Your surgeon will explain the planned treatment and answer any remaining questions.

You will usually receive anaesthetic eye drops to numb the eye surface. These drops help reduce discomfort during the procedure.

During LASIK Surgery

LASIK is generally performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home the same day.

The surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea using a surgical laser or another approved technique. An excimer laser then reshapes the underlying corneal tissue according to your prescription.

The flap is repositioned, and the surgeon checks the eye at the end of the procedure.

The laser treatment itself is usually brief, although the complete appointment takes longer because of preparation and postoperative instructions.

You will need to follow your surgeon’s directions, including where to look and how to keep your head positioned.

Immediately After Surgery

Your vision may be blurry initially, and you may experience watering, light sensitivity, or mild irritation.

Your surgeon will explain how to use your prescribed eye drops and when to attend your follow-up appointment.

Do not rub your eyes, and do not drive yourself home.

Seek prompt medical advice if you develop severe or increasing eye pain, a sudden decline in vision, marked redness, or other symptoms that concern you.

What Should You Avoid Before LASIK Surgery?

To prepare safely, keep this quick reference list in mind.

Always follow the instructions provided by your own surgeon, as your requirements may differ from those of another patient.

Who May Not Be Suitable for LASIK Surgery?

LASIK is not the right choice for everyone.

Your surgeon may recommend delaying treatment or considering another option if you have:

• An unstable glasses prescription.
• A cornea that is too thin or has an unsuitable shape.
• Certain corneal conditions, such as keratoconus.
• Significant or uncontrolled dry eye disease.
• An active eye infection or inflammation.
• Certain medical conditions that may affect healing.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding, when hormonal changes may affect prescription stability.

Age requirements and prescription stability should also be assessed individually.

If LASIK is not suitable, that does not necessarily mean you have no vision correction options. Your eye surgeon can explain the alternatives based on your eye measurements and medical history.