Monthly Archives: April 2023

LASIK eye surgery is the best-known and most commonly performed laser refractive eye surgery in the U.S. During the laser treatment, the doctors use a particular type of cutting laser to change the shape of your cornea and improve your vision. LASIK eye surgery performed by LASIK experts corrects eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Preparing for LASIK eye surgery is a process that needs to be followed concisely for the surgery to be successful. Follow these tips to prepare for your surgery.

Stop wearing contact lenses a few weeks before the surgery

If you usually wear contact lenses, opt-in for your glasses a few weeks before the surgery. Contact lenses, while an effective way to correct your vision at an affordable cost, can distort your cornea’s shape over time.

Before your LASIK surgery day, your eye doctor will take measurements of your eye to understand its curvature and the right treatment plan. You want your cornea’s shape to remain unaffected to ensure the surgery’s success.

Avoid wearing makeup, perfumes and lotions on surgery day

On the day of the procedures, avoid heavy skincare products or lotions because the grease can get into your eyes during the surgery. Instead, shower quickly in the morning and come to the surgery with a freshly washed face.

All eye makeup should be removed at least 24 hours before the surgery. Be sure to thoroughly remove any mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow with a makeup remover because if not removed correctly, makeup products can flake into the eye during surgery. Mascara should also not be worn for four weeks after the surgery.

Find a designated driver

You’ll need a close friend or family member to drive you to and from the surgery. Although you won’t be fully put to sleep, numbing eye drops are in your eyes, making driving unsafe. Wear plastic eye shields for the first five nights to avoid rubbing your eyes during sleep and impacting your new cornea.

Contact lenses are one of the most common ways to correct vision, with more than 45 million Americans regularly wearing them. This is one of the safest and most effective vision correction strategies assuming the contact lenses are taken care of correctly.

Although millions of Americans purchase and wear contacts yearly, most don’t wear them properly or take the correct steps to clean and replace them regularly. If you suspect you’re wearing your contacts incorrectly or experiencing any eye pain, be sure to contact your optometrist immediately to correct the situation. In the meantime, follow these tips to keep your eyes healthy while wearing contact lenses:

Never sleep in your contact lenses

It’s important to avoid sleeping in your contact lenses at all costs because those who have been proven to be at eight times greater risk of an eye infection, according to the CDC. The lack of oxygen to the eye means the body can’t fight off microorganisms and puts you at greater risk for bacterial infections like bacterial keratitis, acanthamoeba keratitis and fungal keratitis.

If you regularly forget to take your contacts out at night, try establishing a nighttime routine that includes taking your contacts out, washing your face, brushing your teeth and anything else that soothes you and creates a sense of routine. You could even try setting a daily alarm on your phone to remind you to take your contacts out.

If you accidentally sleep with your contacts in, remove them immediately with a soft lubricant like eye drops. From there, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses and watching for any symptoms.

Properly clean contact lenses

Never use water when cleaning your lenses because it quickly dries out and brings in bacteria. Instead, use a contact lens disinfecting solution that’s fresh whenever you store your contact lenses in a case. Be sure to replace your contact lens case at least once every three months for optimal cleaning. When you are ready to remove your contact lenses from the case, only do so with freshly washed hands.

At Utah Eye Centers, we’re your go-to resource for general care, retina, pediatrics, cosmetic, refractive care and more. We’re a patient-centered clinic focused on your having a fabulous treatment experience. To learn more about our locations and services, visit our website or call (801) 476-0494.

We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in booking your first appointment.