Successful vision correction depends on more than the surgery itself. Safe and stable results come from
three equally important
steps: accurate pre-surgery examination, precise surgical treatment, and proper
care before and after the procedure.
Many patients feel anxious before LASIK or LASEK because they are unsure how to prepare or what to expect
during recovery.
Clear instructions before surgery and during healing can reduce uncertainty and help
patients approach treatment with greater confidence.
Following the recommended precautions before LASIK or LASEK is essential for both safety and long-term
visual stability.
Proper preparation before the examination, careful attention on the day of surgery,
and responsible aftercare all play an important role in achieving the best possible outcome.
This guide explains each stage step by step, including what to do before your eye examination, before
surgery,
on the day of surgery, and during recovery after LASIK eye surgery or after LASEK surgery.
Why You Must Stop Wearing Contact
Lenses Before the Examination
Many patients ask whether they really need to stop wearing contact lenses before the eye exam. The
answer is yes — it is essential.
Contact lenses can temporarily alter the natural shape of the cornea, which may cause inaccurate results
during pre-surgery testing.
Corneal Warpage:
Hard lenses, especially RGP lenses, continuously press against the corneal surface. Even after lens
removal, the cornea may not immediately return to its natural shape. If measurements are taken too
early, the cornea may appear flatter or irregular, leading to incorrect laser calculations.
Corneal Edema (Swelling):
Soft lenses can reduce oxygen supply to the cornea and cause mild swelling. A swollen cornea may appear
thicker than it actually is, affecting corneal thickness measurements and potentially compromising
surgical safety.
Because LASIK and LASEK require highly precise corneal data, stopping contact lenses before the
examination is necessary for accurate diagnosis.
Recommended Contact Lens
Discontinuation Period Before ExaminationDifferent lens types affect the cornea differently, so the required no-wear period varies depending on the type of contact lens.
| Lens Type | Minimum Stop Period | Recommended Stop Period | Medical Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Contact Lenses | 1 week | 1–2 weeks | May cause mild corneal swelling due to reduced oxygen permeability, affecting thickness measurements |
| Toric Lenses (Astigmatism Correction) | 1 week | 1–2 weeks | Can temporarily distort corneal curvature and astigmatism axis |
| Hard Lenses (RGP) | 2 weeks | 3–4 weeks | May cause corneal warpage due to prolonged mechanical pressure |
| Ortho-K / Dream Lenses | 4 weeks | 6–8 weeks | Directly reshape the cornea during sleep, requiring longer stabilization time |
Why You Should Not Drive
After the Examination (Dilated Eye Test)Driving is not recommended on the day of your LASIK or LASEK examination because a
dilated eye exam is performed.
During this test, dilation drops are used to widen the pupils so the retina and internal eye
structures
can be examined accurately. These drops are also necessary for precise refractive measurements
before
surgery.
The effects of pupil dilation usually last about 4 to 6 hours, though this varies by person. During
this
time, patients may experience:
✔ Because these temporary effects can make driving unsafe, patients should use public transportation or come with a companion whenever possible.
After completing your detailed eye examination, the next step is preparing your body for the best
possible surgical condition. Because LASIK and LASEK are performed in a highly controlled laser
environment, even small factors such as cosmetics, clothing, and physical condition can affect
surgical
safety and precision.
Following the recommended precautions before surgery helps create a clean surgical environment,
improves
laser accuracy, and supports stable recovery after treatment.
Avoid Makeup, Perfume,
and
Alcohol Before Surgery
On the day of surgery, patients should not wear makeup, perfume, lotion, hair spray, or scented
cosmetic
products.
Makeup products such as sunscreen, BB cream, foundation, mascara, and eye makeup may leave
microscopic
particles or oily residue around the eyes. These substances can interfere with laser equipment
sensors
or increase the risk of contamination near the surgical area.
Alcohol should also be avoided both the day before surgery and on the day of surgery. Alcohol can
reduce
tear stability, worsen dry eye symptoms after surgery, and may increase the risk of bleeding by
dilating
blood vessels.
Keeping the eye area completely clean and maintaining good physical condition are important steps
for
safe LASIK and LASEK surgery.
Clothing Guidelines
On the day of surgery, patients should not wear makeup, perfume, lotion, hair spray, or scented
cosmetic
products.
Makeup products such as sunscreen, BB cream, foundation, mascara, and eye makeup may leave
microscopic
particles or oily residue around the eyes. These substances can interfere with laser equipment
sensors
or increase the risk of contamination near the surgical area.
Alcohol should also be avoided both the day before surgery and on the day of surgery. Alcohol can
reduce
tear stability, worsen dry eye symptoms after surgery, and may increase the risk of bleeding by
dilating
blood vessels.
Keeping the eye area completely clean and maintaining good physical condition are important steps
for
safe LASIK and LASEK surgery.
Patients should wear simple, comfortable clothing that allows the body to remain relaxed and stable
during surgery.
Avoid hooded tops:
During laser surgery, the head must remain fixed in a precise position. Thick hoodie fabric or bulky
hoods behind the neck can interfere with stable head positioning and reduce tracking accuracy during
laser alignment.
Avoid skirts and short pants:
The laser operating room is usually maintained at a cool temperature (around 20–22°C) to ensure
stable
equipment performance. Skirts or short pants may make patients feel cold, which can cause
unconscious
body movement during surgery.
Recommended clothing includes:
✔ Proper clothing helps maintain a stable surgical posture and supports precise laser treatment.
LASIK and LASEK procedures are completed quickly, but the recovery process plays a critical role in
final vision quality and patient satisfaction. After surgery, the cornea goes through a healing
process,
and proper care during this period is essential.
Because LASIK and LASEK have different surgical methods, the pattern of discomfort and recovery time
may
vary. Understanding what to expect and following the correct aftercare instructions will help ensure
safe healing and stable vision results.
Pain Management and Eye
Shield Right After SurgeryLASIK recovery is generally fast because a corneal flap is created during surgery. Most patients experience only mild discomfort.
Temporary symptoms such as dryness, blurred vision, tearing, or light sensitivity may occur for about 3–4 hours after surgery
These are normal reactions as the anesthesia wears off and usually improve within a few hours
If needed, mild pain relievers can be used, and resting with closed eyes helps reduce discomfort
Most patients can return to daily activities the next day. However, eye rubbing or strong external pressure must be strictly avoided.
LASEK recovery involves regeneration of the corneal surface, so discomfort may last longer compared to LASIK.
Pain, tearing, foreign body sensation, and light sensitivity may continue for 2–3 days after surgery
These symptoms are part of the natural healing process of the corneal epithelium
Prescribed eye drops and medications (including anti-inflammatory or serum-based drops) should be used consistently as directed
To prevent accidental eye rubbing and protect the cornea from external impact, a plastic eye shield is provided.
Wear the eye shield while sleeping after surgery
Secure it gently using medical tape without applying pressure to the eye
Avoid getting water or foreign substances inside the shield
Daytime use may not be required, but additional use may be recommended for patients who tend to rub their eyes
When You Can Wash Your Face, Shower, and Wash Your
Hair
After Surgery
| Activity | LASIK | LASEK |
|---|---|---|
| Face washing (water only) | After 3 days | After protective lens removal (around 3 days) |
| Face washing with cleanser | After 4 days (carefully) | After protective lens removal + 1 day |
| Shower (body) | From the next day (below neck only) | From the next day (below neck only) |
| Hair washing | After 3 days (wash carefully with head tilted back) | After protective lens removal (wash with head tilted back) |
When You Can Wear Makeup, Dye Your Hair, or Get a
Perm
After Surgery
After LASIK or LASEK surgery, cosmetic and beauty-related activities should be resumed gradually to avoid irritation or infection.
: Light skincare such as toner or lotion can be used from the next day, avoiding the eye area.
: Products such as BB cream or foundation can be used after one week.
: Eye shadow, mascara, and eyeliner are recommended after two weeks.
: Chemical treatments should be delayed for at least one month.
Avoid products that may enter the eyes, especially during the early healing period.
Precautions for Alcohol, Smoking, Exercise, and Sun
Exposure After Surgery
Proper lifestyle management after LASIK or LASEK is essential to protect the eyes and support stable healing.
: Light exercise such as walking or stretching is possible after one week. More intense activities such as weight training or ball sports are recommended after two weeks.
: Avoid alcohol for at least two weeks, and limit intake for up to one month. Smoking should also be avoided during early recovery, as it may delay corneal healing.
: Swimming should be avoided for at least one month due to the risk of infection from pool chemicals.
: Protecting the eyes from ultraviolet exposure is important during recovery. Especially after LASEK, wearing sunglasses when outdoors for at least three months is strongly recommended.
Following these precautions helps reduce irritation, prevent complications, and support long-term visual stability.
No. One day is usually not enough. Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of the cornea, which may lead to inaccurate measurements during pre-surgery testing. Depending on the type of lens, patients may need to stop wearing them from 1 week up to 8 weeks before the examination.
Yes. LASIK and LASEK examinations usually include a dilated eye test, which temporarily causes blurred vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty focusing. These effects may last several hours, making driving unsafe. Public transportation or accompaniment by another person is recommended.
No. The examination and surgery do not need to happen on the same day. Many patients choose to complete the detailed eye examination first, then schedule surgery later after reviewing their results and choosing a convenient date.
Before surgery, avoid makeup, perfume, lotion around the eyes, hair spray, and alcohol. These may interfere with the surgical environment, irritate the eyes, or affect tear stability. On the day of surgery, wear comfortable clothing and avoid hooded tops, skirts, or short pants.
This depends on whether you had LASIK or LASEK. In general, water-only face washing is possible after a few days, while cleanser use and eye makeup should be delayed longer. Eye makeup is usually recommended after about two weeks, and exact timing should follow your doctor’s instructions.
Most LASIK patients recover quickly and return to normal daily activities the next day. Mild dryness or blurred vision may continue for a few days, but vision usually stabilizes rapidly compared with LASEK.
LASEK recovery takes longer because the corneal surface must regenerate. Pain or discomfort may last 2–3 days, and functional recovery usually takes about 1–2 weeks, with vision stabilizing more gradually.
Most patients do well long term, but some may experience dry eye, glare, halos, or night vision sensitivity for a period after surgery. Serious long-term complications are rare when proper screening and aftercare are followed.
Use prescribed eye drops exactly as directed, avoid rubbing your eyes, protect them from dust and sunlight, wear your eye shield when instructed, and follow all recovery precautions regarding exercise, makeup, and water exposure.
Following the correct discontinuation period is essential for reliable test results and safe surgery planning.