4 Most important things to know before your Laser Eye Surgery

4 Most important things to know before your Laser Eye Surgery

You’ve had your screening, been approved, and your surgery is booked — exciting!

Now the focus shifts from “Am I a candidate?” to “How do I prepare properly?”

Here are the four most important things to know before your laser eye surgery to ensure everything goes smoothly and your recovery is as comfortable as possible.

1. Stopwearing contact lenses (on time)

This is one of the most important — and most commonly overlooked step.

Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea, which affects the accuracy of your surgical measurements.

As a guide:

• Soft lenses: stop 3–5 days before surgery

• Toric/extended wear lenses: 1–2 weeks

• Hard lenses: several weeks (as advised)

Even if your screening was done correctly, your cornea needs to be in its natural shape on the day of surgery.

2. Keepyour eyes healthy (Especially dry eye)

Your eye surface plays a big role in both comfort and visual outcomes.

In the days leading up to surgery:

• Use lubricating drops if recommended

• Stay hydrated

• Avoid excessive screen time if your eyes feel strained

If you notice:

• Redness

• Irritation

• Increased dryness

Let your team know before your surgery date. Optimising your eye health beforehand makes recovery smoother.

3. Plan for Surgery Day and the first 24 hours

Laser eye surgery is quick — but you’ll still need to prepare properly.

On the day:

• Don’t wear makeup, creams, or perfume

• Eat a normal meal beforehand

• Arrange transport (you won’t be able to drive yourself home)

After surgery:

• Plan to rest your eyes for a few hours

• Keep your drops nearby

• Avoid screens initially

Most patients are surprised by how smooth and fast the experience is.

4. Follow aftercare instructions exactly

The procedure itself is only part of the process — your aftercare is just as important.

This includes:

• Using your prescribed eye drops as directed

• Avoiding rubbing your eyes

• Staying out of water (pools, ocean) for the recommended period

• Wearing protective shields as advised

These small steps protect your healing cornea and help ensure the best possible result.

Bonus: Know what’s normal

It helps to go in knowing what to expect.

After surgery, it’s normal to experience:

• Blurry or hazy vision initially

• Light sensitivity

• Mild dryness or grittiness

These symptoms are temporary and improve as your eyes heal.

Bottom Line

Preparing properly for your laser eye surgery makes a real difference.

If you:

• Stop contact lenses on time

• Keep your eyes healthy

• Plan your day and recovery

• Follow aftercare closely

you’re setting yourself up for a smooth experience and optimal results.

If you are ready to take your first step in the laser surgery process. 

👉 Take our free laser eye surgery self-test