Preparing for LASIK Eye Surgery LASIK eye surgery is an ambulatory procedure, meaning that you walk into the surgery center, have the procedure, and walk out again. On the morning of your surgery, you are free to enjoy all normal activities. Here is a list of simple instructions for preparing for LASIK eye surgery. Prior to your pre-operative assessment You may have a Pre-operative Evaluation done with your own eye care professional but you are responsible for their fee. If you are having a Pre-operative Evaluation done with your own doctor, you are still required to complete a Pre-operative Assessment at our office before your laser eye surgery date. We are unable to confirm your candidacy for LASIK or ASA until our tests are completed. Please arrange alternative transportation for after your pre-operative diagnostic assessment (dilated eye examination) as your vision will be blurred and you will have difficulty reading and driving. In consideration of others and to ensure your visit is a comfortable as possible, please do not bring children with you to the office. The duration of your stay will be approximately 2 hours. Bellevue LASIK will not be held responsible for any costs incurred for travel or accommodation, lost employment income or any additional expenses incurred due to the patient being deemed a non-candidate, requiring re-treatments, re-scheduling, or delays. Prior to your surgery day If you chose to have post-operative care with your own eye care professional, please book your appointments prior to your surgery date. Your follow-up visits with your eye care professional must take place at (1) week, (1) month, and (3) months following LASIK eye surgery, with additional visits required for ASA eye surgery. Please be prepared to give Bellevue LASIK the name of your own eye care professional responsible for follow-up. Please arrange transportation for the day of your laser eye surgery and for the post-operative visit. It will not be safe for you to drive yourself. Depending upon your occupation, you may need to arrange to be away from work for up to four (4) days following LASIK eye surgery. There are generally no restrictions on eating or taking medications before or on your surgery day, however, please advise us of any medications you are taking. You should not plan on driving long distances for approximately 3 days after LASIK eye surgery and 7 days after ASA eye surgery. Travel and accommodation are your responsibilities. However, our office will be happy to provide you with referrals. Laser eye correction is a medical procedure and as such, you may be required to extend your stay due to the healing process of your eyes. Any additional travel or accommodation fees will not be the responsibility of Bellevue LASIK. Please remove all facial makeup (lipstick, facial creams, eye makeup etc.) the day before your laser eye surgery. For your own safety, surgery will be cancelled if makeup is present. Please review the consent form(s) as this/these are to be signed on the date of surgery. Contact lenses can "warp" the corneal surface. This warpage changes the corneal curvature and leads to a measurement of your refraction that is not representative of your true refraction. In order to properly calculate the retreatment necessary to correct your refractive error, you will have to stop wearing contact lenses at some stage prior to laser eye surgery. The time interval that you must go without wearing contact lenses depends on the type of lens that you use and the length of time you have used them. Soft contact lenses may not be worn for at least two (2) weeks prior to the pre-operative exam and prior to laser eye surgery. Soft toric lenses may not be worn for at least two (2) weeks prior to the pre-operative exam and prior to laser eye surgery. Gas permeable lenses may not be worn for at least four (4) weeks prior to the pre-operative exam and prior to laser eye surgery. If you have worn them for more than 10 years an additional week for each dacade of wear is required. True hard lenses (PMMA) may not be worn for at least thirteen (13) weeks prior to the pre-operative exam and prior to laser eye surgery. Exceptions to the above rules exist and you can discuss these with your eye physician. If you fail to follow this advise, you will increase the risk of complications and also reduce the effectiveness of laser eye surgery. The day of surgery Please note that you may feel nervous, anxious or excited prior to laser eye surgery. This is a completely natural, normal response. Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne on your surgery date. Please do not use any hair products that contain alcohol such as hair spray or mousse. These can alter the effect of the laser on your eyes. Please pre-arrange transportation for after your surgery. It will not be safe for you to drive yourself. Please be aware that after laser eye surgery your eyes will be irritated and light sensitive. This usually dissipates within 24 hours after surgery. We recommend avoiding alcohol 24 hours prior to and 48 hours after laser eye surgery, as this tends to dehydrate the tissues and alter the effect of the laser on your eyes. Wear comfortable clothing on your surgery day. The operating suite is kept at a cool temperature so you may want to dress warmly. Avoid clothing such as wool that might generate lint in the surgical suite. In consideration of others, and to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible, please do not bring children to the office. The duration of your visit will be approximately two (2) hours.