If you have refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia, you should consider choosing laser surgery to correct these issues. This type of treatment will improve your vision and reduce your dependence on vision aids such as prescription glasses and contact lenses. The surgical procedure for vision correction is simple and straightforward. However, knowing how you should prepare can help you be more at ease and ready for the process. Here are some practical guidelines to help you prepare for your laser eye surgery in Orange County.
Stop Using Contacts
Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea, and this alteration is not favorable for laser surgery. Therefore, you should stop wearing the contacts for some time before the day of the surgery. This will allow your corneas to stabilize for optimal results. If you have soft contact lenses, you should stop wearing these products for about two weeks before the surgery. For hard contacts, take them out about three or four weeks prior to your appointment. You should use glasses during this period.
Avoid Applying Makeup
You should stop wearing makeup one or two days before the surgery for the best results. Your face and the eyes should be as clean as possible to limit the risk of infections after the treatment. On the night before your appointment, you should clean your face with care to strip away all the unwanted material. Remove all makeup, including lotion and foundation from your face. Clean the eye area of all mascara, eyeliner and other similar products. Additionally, consider using some artificial tears to remove debris in your eyes.
Arrange for Transportation
LASIK and general laser eye surgeries are performed within a short period, and your vision improves immediately as a result. However, you will not be capable of driving from the facility to your home. You are likely to still feel the effects of anesthetics and your eyes will not be completely recovered. Therefore, you should arrange for someone to pick you up and get you safely into your home.
Discuss Medication with the Doctor
If you are currently on any medications, you should disclose all necessary information to your surgeon. In most cases, you can continue taking the pertinent pharmaceuticals, but inquire as a precaution. If you feel significantly anxious before the surgery, you should let the staff know. They can provide medication to help promote relaxation.
If you are interested in learning more about LASIK and laser eye surgery, consult with a professional in your area. They can answer some questions about the procedure so you can feel more relaxed during your surgery.