What Should I Do to Prepare for Laser Eye Surgery?

So, you’ve decided to go ahead with Laser Eye Surgery. You’ve likely spent hours researching and looking for the right clinic and surgeon to suit your needs, and now you’re ready to embark on your journey to better vision. As you do so, you’ll probably want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible.

But what, if anything, will you need to do in preparation for this life-changing procedure? We’re on hand to tell you everything you need to know so you don’t need to lose sleep over preparing for your treatment.

Fortunately, as Professor Dan Reinstein explains in the video below, before the actual procedure, there isn’t much you need to worry about at all! Of course, that isn’t to say there aren’t some things you can do to help yourself feel more prepared.

The good news is, this should all be explained to you during the assessment and consultation process. Nonetheless, there’s no harm in doing a little more research for yourself. With that in mind, we thought we would make things easy for you by outlining everything you need to know in one article!

So, let’s start with some of the basics!

Things to Remember Before Your Laser Eye Surgery

As Prof Reinstein notes, there are plenty of practical things to consider before heading into your chosen clinic on the day of your surgery. For example, on the day of your treatment:

You should not wear any make-up. Eye make-up (eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, etc) should also be avoided for around a week after your procedure.
You should not wear any perfume or cologne. In addition to hairspray or any other products that may contain alcohol.
You should not wear any wool clothing. This can generate lint which may disrupt the lasers used during your treatment.
You will not be able to drive home from the clinic. We also generally advise that you avoid public transport, so you may need to arrange to have a lift home from a friend or family member. Our patient care coordinators can also help you plan your journey home.
You may need to book some local accommodation: If you’re travelling to London for your treatment, you may choose to book a local hotel for ease of access to the clinic.
You should avoid alcohol. Generally, we advise patients to avoid alcohol in the 24 hours before, and the 48 hours after their procedure as this can dry out the eyes and thin the blood.

Other Things to Consider to Prepare for Laser Eye Surgery

Preparing for Laser Eye Surgery isn’t just about the day of your treatment; making plans for your recovery is equally important, for example:

Making the necessary arrangements for time off work. Most patients have recovered enough to return to work within 1-2 days of their treatment; however, this can vary depending on the procedure and your personal healing rate.
Arranging your post-operative appointment. This usually takes place 24 hours after your treatment and allows your surgeon to ensure the treatment went as well as possible. Additional post-op appointments will be scheduled for around 3-4 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after your procedure.

Aside from all the points on this checklist, you will likely have some additional questions about the surgery itself. Again, we’re always on hand to answer any questions or concerns – but let’s touch on some of the most common questions we get asked!

How long after my consultation can I have Laser Eye Surgery?

The screening process and consultation are arguably the most important part of your Laser Eye Surgery journey. It allows us to assess your suitability for treatment and create your personalised treatment plan. But understandably, many patients are anxious to get the treatment over with as soon as possible.

The fact is, the time between your consultation and treatment can vary based on a number of factors. Depending on availability, it is possible to have Laser Eye Surgery in as little as 24 hours after you have been found suitable for treatment; however, we generally recommend you take a little more time to fully absorb the information you have been given.

How long does the treatment take?

While you may be asked to attend the clinic for a number of hours on the day of your treatment, only a small portion of this will be spent in the operating room. The bulk of the treatment time comes from preparing for the surgery—around 30 minutes to an hour. The procedure itself is performed in a matter of minutes, with the laser only active for seconds!

What will I feel during the procedure?

Before your surgery, a clinician will administer anaesthetic eye drops to numb the treatment area. This ensures you will feel no pain during your treatment. However, you will likely feel what some patients describe as a “tugging” sensation.

What happens if I look away, blink, cough, or sneeze during the procedure?

As Professor Reinstein mentions in the video above, you don’t need to worry about moving your eyes during the procedure. Innovative eye-tracking technology compensates for eye movements and ensures the treatment is performed in exactly the right place.

What is the risk of complications during Laser Eye Surgery?

While Laser Eye Surgery is considered one of the safest elective procedures, no surgery is without a certain level of risk. Nonetheless, when undergoing treatment from an experienced surgeon, the chance of even a minor complication arising is around 1 in 1,000 procedures. The odds of a situation arising in which a specialist surgeon could not resolve the complication are even smaller.

Deciding to go ahead with Laser Eye Surgery can be daunting, but feeling prepared can help to make the process that much easier.

If you have any further questions about the procedure, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to get the ball rolling!