My 20/20 Experience (Part 2): Preparing for LASIK

I was given prescriptions for the necessary medicated eyedrops at my pre-operative appointment, so I got the eyedrops from the pharmacy before my surgery:

1. an antibiotic drop: to prevent infection

2. a steroid drop: to reduce inflammation & its associated complications (especially DLK)

3. preservative-free artificial tears: to lubricate the cornea, which will be very dry after surgery (these are over-the-counter drops)

TIP: Make sure to give the prescription to the pharmacy at least a week before the surgery to ensure they can obtain the necessary medications, as they may not have them in stock and you'll NEED them right after your surgery!

Here are my 5 favourite preservative-free artificial tear drops. All 4 of these contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance found in our bodies (and eyes) that is very hydrating.

1. Thealoz Duo

2. Hyabak

3. HYLO Gel

4. HYLO

5. HydraSense: Canada | U.S.

Here are 3 other preservative-free lubricating drops that are often recommended after LASIK surgery but do NOT contain Hyaluronic Acid. They come in single-use disposable vials, which is another reason why I prefer the first 5 that I mentioned above.

5. Refresh Optive: Canada | U.S.

6. Refresh Optive Advanced: Canada | U.S.

7. Systane Ultra: Canada | U.S.

Preservative-free formulas are much gentler on the eyes, which is what you want especially after surgery. Your eyes will feel dry & gritty after LASIK, so it's important to keep them lubricated after the surgery. Don't skip this step, and stock up on artificial tear drops before surgery day!

As instructed, I stopped wearing soft contact lenses and eye makeup 1 week before my surgery. This is to reduce the risk of any eye infections, and prevent makeup debris from getting trapped under the LASIK flap which could lead to inflammation. Honestly, not wearing any makeup to work was the hardest part for me!

I also kept my daily routine as normal as possible with work, diet, sleep, and exercise.

I drank lots of water and avoided alcohol to ensure that my corneas were nice and hydrated --- operating on a dehydrated cornea can actually alter the final result.

I used artificial tears throughout the day as well, since it was winter in Canada which means the air and eyes can get very dry! You are not allowed to take a shower for 24 hours post-surgery, so I took a shower the night before my surgery.

NEXT: LASIK Day