Contact lenses
Contact lenses change the shape of the cornea, and the measurements that guide your surgery need the cornea in its natural state. How long your lenses stay out before your measurements is decided case by case, by the type of lens and how long you have worn them; our team tells you the exact time when you book. Rigid and scleral lenses usually need longer than soft lenses, and the measurements are repeated until they are stable.
For cataract and lens surgery, your surgeon will tell you how long to stay out of lenses before the eye measurements. Wear your glasses in the meantime.
Eating, drinking and medications
Laser vision correction is done with numbing drops, so you may eat a light meal beforehand. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before surgery.
Cataract, lens exchange and EVO ICL procedures use light sedation, so you will be told when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. Take your regular medications with a sip of water on the morning of surgery unless we tell you otherwise. Tell us about blood thinners, prostate medications such as tamsulosin, and anything new since your consultation; most are continued, but your surgeon needs to know.
Do not stop any prescribed medication without checking with us or the doctor who prescribed it.
Your eyes and face on the day
Arrive with clean skin. No eye makeup, mascara, false lashes, face cream, lotion or perfume, and no makeup the night before either; small particles can lodge in the tear film. Wash your lashes gently with a mild cleanser the night before and the morning of surgery.
Wear comfortable clothes with a top that does not pull over your head. Leave jewelry at home.
What to bring
Photo identification and your insurance card if your procedure is billed to insurance. Your current glasses. A list of your medications. Sunglasses for the trip home; your eyes will be light sensitive. Any drops we have already given you, if you were asked to start them before surgery.
Your ride home
You cannot drive yourself home after any procedure, including LASIK. Arrange for a friend or family member to bring you and take you home, or use a rideshare service with someone you trust. For procedures with sedation, that person needs to stay with you until you are settled at home.
Plan for typically about two to three hours at the office for laser vision correction and three to four hours for procedures with sedation.
If you become unwell
Call us if you develop a cold, a fever, a cold sore, an eye infection or red eye, or a new medical problem in the week before surgery. It is often safer to reschedule by a few days, and our team will help you find a new date.
The night before
Get a full night's sleep. Set out your ride, your sunglasses and your medication list. Confirm your arrival time from the text or email we sent, and call (855) 456-2253 with any question at all. Nothing is too small to ask.
Questions about your situation? Call (855) 456-2253 or send us a message.
About this content: This page was written with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed for medical accuracy by our physicians. It is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace an eye examination. Individual results vary. Read our medical disclaimer.
