While you might be nervous before your refractive lens surgery, it is important to remain calm and collected and to remember that you are in very good hands with the ophthalmologist that you have chosen. In this article, we’ll go over some steps you can take to prepare for your eye surgery that will give you a solid state of mind going into it.
The Week Before:
Stop Wearing Contacts Before Baseline Evaluation
You’ll want to stop wearing your contacts and begin wearing glasses before the surgery. Why is this important? Because contact lenses change the shape of your cornea, it can lead to a baseline evaluation that is inaccurate. This can impede the surgery that can, on one spectrum, result in an ineffective surgery, and, on the other, result in a botched surgery that can cause permanent damage to your eye.
Talk toYour Doctor About Present and Past Eye Conditions
Having a doctor that is aware of your previous medical history can make all the difference in how the surgery proceeds. If your provider knows about what medications you have taken in the past and what issues you have had, this can further inform them on how to approach the surgery. Additionally, they can give you a psychological boost by assuring you if you have any fears going into the surgery.
The Day Before:
Stop Using Makeup and Cream
The day before your scheduled surgery, you’ll want to start keeping things clear from your general eye area. Although you might think that washing away makeup on your eyelashes can do the trick, if there are still small microbes’ leftover, this can lead to surgical complications since the physicians are working at a scale that is extremely small. Make it easier on them and get the ideal surgery by refraining from using anything that could lead to surgical distractions.
Organize a Caretaker
At this point, you should be quite well-versed on what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. It would be remiss of you not to plan for someone to take care of you as your eyes adjust to the post-surgery conditions. After refractive lens surgery, you will most likely be under a sedative and wearing eye shields to protect your corneas from light. Because of this, you’ll need to organize someone to take you home and get whatever you need before you have gotten the “ok” to drive again.
The Day Of:
Wear Comfortable Clothing
It can get cold in the operating room, so be sure to wear something warm and comfortable when you go under the knife.
Listen to Soothing Music
Or podcasts. Anything that helps you relax and rest your eyes before your surgery is ideal as it will provide the optimal conditions from which the ophthalmologist can work during the surgery.
Refractive lens surgery is an incredibly common surgery and nothing to worry about. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be prepared to walk into your surgery with confidence and walk out with better vision than ever before.
