Laser Eye Surgery - Before the Procedure
Once we determine that a patient at the Dishler Laser Institute is a good candidate for laser vision correction, we perform a series of tests and measurements in order to plan the LASIK procedure. Our goal is to avoid potential complications while improving the vision as much as possible. For patients at our practice serving the Denver area, including Aurora and Englewood, Colorado, preparing for laser eye surgery is the first step toward clearer vision.
The Weeks before Laser Eye Surgery
The first step to evaluating your eyes for laser eye surgery is to remove your contact lenses long enough to allow the eyes to return to their natural state. For soft-contact wearers, this takes about a week. For toric soft contacts, two weeks are sufficient. Gas permeable contacts must be removed for a minimum of six weeks, and hard contacts for at least three months.
Once the eyes have grown accustomed to being without contacts, we perform detailed measurements and evaluations, including three-dimensional topographical mapping to identify contour irregularities in the shape of the cornea. At this point we will schedule your surgical appointment. You will also be given detailed instructions to follow when preparing for laser eye surgery.
The Morning of Laser Eye Surgery
The morning of laser eye surgery, we ask that our patients eat a light meal at least 30 minutes before arriving. It is important to drink plenty of clear fluids and to avoid alcohol. You should take any medications you have been prescribed according to the normal schedule.
The surgical suite is kept at 68 degrees, so patients should dress accordingly for their own comfort. Jewelry, makeup, hair products, perfumes, and facial creams of any kind should not be worn. Patients should also shower before arriving in order to remove any traces of these products.
Finally, it is important to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery. For safety reasons, laser eye surgery patients are not allowed to drive themselves home.
Schedule a Laser Eye Surgery Consultation Near Aurora, Englewood, and Denver, Colorado
The Dishler Laser Institute is one of the Denver area's leading destinations for laser eye surgery. To learn more about preparing for LASIK or to schedule a consultation, contact our laser eye surgery practice serving patients from Aurora, Englewood, all of Colorado, and the surrounding area.