You have decided to get LASIK — the hard part is over. But the few weeks and days leading up to surgery matter more than most people realise. Good preparation does two things: it makes your measurements accurate, which directly affects your result, and it makes the day itself calm and smooth. A little planning goes a long way.
This guide from Visual Aids Centre is your complete preparation checklist for LASIK eye surgery — what to do in the weeks before, what to stop, what to bring, and what to avoid on the day, so you arrive ready and set up for the clearest possible outcome.
Key Takeaways
- Stop wearing contact lenses before your consultation and surgery, as your surgeon directs — they change your corneal shape.
- Your pre-op assessment includes detailed corneal mapping and other tests that confirm candidacy and guide the laser.
- On surgery day, skip makeup, perfume, lotions, and hairspray, and arrange someone to drive you home.
- Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine around the procedure, and follow any prescribed pre-op drops.
- Knowing what to expect calms surgery-day nerves — preparation is reassurance.
Weeks Before: Getting Assessment-Ready
The single most important preparation step starts weeks ahead: stop wearing contact lenses. Contacts subtly reshape your cornea, and an inaccurate corneal map leads to a less precise correction. Soft lenses usually need to come out about a week before your assessment, and rigid or gas-permeable lenses longer — your surgeon will give you exact timings.
This is also the time to flag your full medical history and any medications, so your surgeon has a complete picture before measuring your eyes.
Your Pre-Op Assessment
Before LASIK is confirmed, you undergo a thorough workup that doubles as both a safety check and the blueprint for your treatment. It typically includes detailed corneal mapping with a device like the Pentacam, which measures your cornea’s shape and thickness in fine detail.
Your surgeon also checks your prescription stability, tear film, and overall eye health. People sometimes wonder whether the workup includes bloodwork — our guide on whether blood tests are taken before LASIK answers that. This assessment is what confirms you are a suitable candidate and lets the surgeon plan an accurate, personalised correction.
The Days Before Surgery
In the final stretch, a few habits set you up well:
- Follow any prescribed pre-op drops. You may be given drops such as ofloxacin or lubricants like Systane — use them exactly as directed.
- Avoid alcohol. It dehydrates you and can interfere with drops, so skip it the night before — here is why on drinking before LASIK.
- Limit caffeine and nicotine. Both can affect comfort and healing — see our notes on caffeine and nicotine before surgery.
- Arrange a companion to drive you home, since you will not be able to drive immediately after.
On the Day: What to Do and Avoid
Surgery-day prep is mostly about keeping the eye area clean and the sterile field uncompromised. Do:
- Arrive with a freshly washed face and clean hair.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
- Eat a light meal beforehand.
And avoid:
- Makeup, perfume, and lotions — these can introduce particles or fumes near the eye.
- Hairspray and styling products — our note on avoiding hairspray explains why.
It also helps to know what the experience feels like: many clinics offer a mild relaxant rather than full sedation, and you stay awake throughout.
Staying Calm and Prepared
A little nervousness is completely normal, and knowing the choreography removes most of it. The procedure is quick and you cannot disrupt it — even if you worry about flinching, our note on what happens if you flinch shows the eye-tracker and lid-holder have it covered. Trust your preparation, follow your surgeon’s instructions, and let the technology do its precise work.
The best reassurance of all is being a well-prepared, well-screened candidate — which is exactly what the steps above achieve.
Conclusion
Preparing for LASIK is straightforward but genuinely important: stop your contacts in good time, attend your full assessment, follow any pre-op drops, and keep surgery day clean of makeup and products with a companion ready to drive you home. Each step protects the accuracy of your correction and makes the day calmer. Do them, and you give yourself the best possible start to a clear, glasses-free life.
Ready to take the first step, or have questions about preparing? Book your assessment with Visual Aids Centre, or learn more about the procedure on our LASIK eye surgery page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How should I prepare for LASIK surgery?
Stop wearing contact lenses before your assessment, attend your pre-op tests, follow prescribed drops, avoid makeup and products on the day, and arrange a driver home.
How long before LASIK should I stop wearing contacts?
Usually about a week for soft lenses and longer for rigid or gas-permeable lenses. Your surgeon gives exact timings, since contacts reshape the cornea.
Can I eat before LASIK surgery?
Yes. A light meal beforehand is fine and recommended. Just avoid alcohol and limit caffeine around the procedure.
Can I wear makeup on the day of surgery?
No. Skip makeup, perfume, lotions, and hairspray, as they can introduce particles or fumes near the surgical field.
Will I need someone to come with me?
Yes. Your vision will be blurry afterwards, so arrange for someone to drive you home and help you settle in.
What tests are done before LASIK?
Detailed corneal mapping, prescription and stability checks, tear-film and overall eye-health assessment. These confirm candidacy and guide the laser precisely.
