Most of the work of getting ready for LASIK happens weeks before anyone touches a laser. The contact lenses you wear, the medications you take and the questions you bring to your exam all shape how accurately your eyes can be measured and how smoothly surgery day goes. This guide walks through how to prepare for LASIK in the order things actually happen at Advanced Eye Surgeons, from the first evaluation in Boca Raton or Tamarac to the drive home afterward.
Several Weeks Out: The Candidacy Exam
Preparation starts once you and your eye doctor agree that LASIK is worth evaluating. At this visit our team performs a full eye exam, talks you through what to expect during surgery and answers your questions. The exam looks at your refractive error, corneal thickness and the overall health of your eyes, because conditions such as keratoconus or significant dry eye can change whether LASIK is the right choice.
Some health factors also matter. Patients who are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have glaucoma, very dry eyes, diabetes or lupus may not be good candidates. Bring a complete list of your prescriptions and supplements, and mention any autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, so the team can give you accurate guidance.
Put Your Contact Lenses Away Early
Contact lenses temporarily change the shape of the cornea, and those changes can throw off the measurements your surgery is planned from. If you wear contacts, you will need to stop wearing them for at least two weeks before your surgery. Rigid lenses can take longer for the cornea to settle, so tell the team exactly what type you wear and follow the timeline they give you.
The Days Before Surgery
Once you are cleared and scheduled, preparation shifts to small practical steps. None of them is complicated, but each one removes a possible source of delay or irritation on the day itself.
Keep the Eye Area Clean
Skip eye makeup in the lead-up to your procedure and do not wear any on the day of surgery. On the morning of your appointment, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and leave the area around your eyes free of creams, lotions and fragrance.
Line Up a Ride and a Quiet Afternoon
Your vision will be blurry right after LASIK, so arrange for someone to bring you home and plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Clearing your schedule ahead of time makes it easier to follow the aftercare instructions you will receive before you leave.
Confirm Your Medications
On the day of your procedure you can take all of your prescribed medications. If you are unsure about a specific prescription, ask during your pre-operative visit rather than the morning of surgery, so there is time to get a clear answer.
Surgery Morning, Minute by Minute
Knowing the sequence ahead of time takes much of the uncertainty out of the day. The treatment itself is short, and you are awake throughout.
- Numbing drops. Special eye drops numb the surface of your eyes, so the procedure is not painful. If you feel anxious, you can ask your eye surgeon for a mild sedative.
- Positioning. You lie back in a reclining chair, and an instrument gently holds your eyelids open so blinking is not a concern.
- Focusing. You are asked to look at a point of light and keep your eyes still while the cornea is reshaped. You may feel slight pressure for a moment.
- Both eyes. If both eyes need correction, they can be treated during the same session.
For a full walk-through of the procedure and how it corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, see our LASIK surgery page.
The First Few Days After
Right after surgery your eyes may feel sensitive and watery, with a slight gritty or burning sensation, and your vision may be blurry for a while. You will receive aftercare instructions before you leave and a follow-up appointment a few days later to check that your eyes are healing correctly. Many patients return to their normal schedule within about a day, while full healing takes longer. Our guide to life after LASIK covers when you can swim, exercise and stop wearing protective eyewear.
If the Exam Points Somewhere Other Than LASIK
Preparation sometimes ends with a different plan, and that is a useful outcome rather than a setback. Dr. Archana Gupta, the board-certified ophthalmologist who performs LASIK at Advanced Eye Surgeons, completed a cornea fellowship at the University of Minnesota and also performs PRK, a laser procedure that reshapes the cornea without creating a flap. If your measurements show that another approach suits your eyes better, or that dry eye should be treated first, that conversation happens in the same office. You can read more about Dr. Gupta’s training and experience before your visit.
Questions Worth Writing Down Before Your Exam
- Is my prescription in a range LASIK can correct, and has it been stable?
- Do my corneal measurements or tear film raise any concerns?
- Would PRK or another option suit my eyes better, and why?
- When exactly should I stop wearing my contact lenses?
- What will my follow-up schedule look like after surgery?
Bringing these to the appointment keeps the conversation focused and helps you leave with a clear picture of your own preparation timeline.
Prep Questions Patients Ask Before Booking
How far ahead should I stop wearing contact lenses before LASIK?
Plan on at least two weeks without contacts before your surgery. Contacts temporarily reshape the cornea, and the measurements used to plan your treatment need to reflect its natural shape. If you wear rigid lenses, tell the team, because they may ask you to stop sooner.
Can I take my regular medications on the day of LASIK?
Yes, you can take all of your prescribed medications on the day of your procedure. Share a complete medication list at your evaluation so the team can flag anything that needs discussion well before surgery day.
What should I wear to my LASIK appointment?
Wear comfortable clothes and skip eye makeup, perfume and scented lotions. Bringing sunglasses for the ride home is a good idea, since your eyes may be sensitive to light afterward.
Will I be awake during LASIK?
Yes. Numbing drops keep the procedure comfortable, and you will be asked to focus on a point of light while the laser works. If you are nervous, you can ask your eye surgeon about a mild sedative.
How soon after LASIK can I get back to my routine?
Many patients return to their normal schedule within about a day, though your eyes keep healing for months afterward. You will have a follow-up visit a few days after surgery, where your eye doctor can tell you what is appropriate for your job and activities.
Start With a Free LASIK Consultation
The simplest first step is the candidacy exam itself, since every other part of preparation depends on what it finds. Request your free LASIK consultation online, or call the Boca Raton office to talk through scheduling with our team.
Dr. Archana Gupta
Dr. Archana Gupta is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract, cornea, external diseases, and refractive surgery. With expertise in comprehensive eye care, she performs a wide range of procedures including complex cataract surgeries, corneal transplants, LASIK, and PRK. Dr. Gupta completed her cornea fellowship at the University of Minnesota and ophthalmology residency at the University of Buffalo. As a clinical instructor at Nova Southeastern University/Larkin Community Hospital, she contributes to resident education while maintaining an active research profile with peer-reviewed publications. Known for her empathetic approach, Dr. Gupta provides individualized care using state-of-the-art technology at Advanced Eye Surgeons in Boca Raton and Tamarac, FL.