What Can I Expect Before My LASIK Procedure?

Baptist Eye Surgeons • November 10, 2022

Like many people, you may be considering LASIK surgery to fix your vision problems. But more goes into getting LASIK than simply scheduling a procedure. what can i expect before my lasik procedure

First, you’ll need to understand what LASIK actually is and why it may benefit you. You’ll then schedule a consultation with your ophthalmologist to see if you qualify for the procedure. Once approved, you will need to do your part in ensuring that the procedure goes smoothly, as well as understanding the risks that may be involved.

LASIK is primarily for distance vision correction. Patients over the age of 40 may still require the assistance of reading glasses after the procedure.

What is LASIK Surgery?

Before jumping into what to expect, it can help to know what LASIK surgery actually is. The human eye functions a lot like a film camera by using refraction to create images. The cornea helps us focus light, which creates an image on the retina.

Unfortunately, not everyone’s cornea is perfectly shaped. This results in vision that’s often described as blurry, distorted, or out of focus due to refractive errors .

Refractive errors come in three main forms:

Astigmatism
Myopia
Hyperopia

Those with astigmatism experience distorted images on the retina due to an error in the shape of the lens or cornea of the eye. Myopia is another term for nearsightedness . People with this condition have a harder time seeing things that are far away. Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia and is also known as farsightedness , meaning that you have trouble seeing things up close, but can also have difficulty with distance vision.

LASIK surgery is one of a few different refractive surgeries which seek to remove anything that may keep your eyes from focusing clearly. LASIK does this by using a special laser that changes the shape of the cornea, which helps change its focus. This helps our patients see more details and more clearly, improving their confidence and quality of life.

Now that we’ve established what LASIK surgery is and who may need it, let’s look at what to expect before your procedure. LASIK surgery can improve people’s lives in so many ways.

Click here to learn the difference LASIK made in one patient’s life!

Your LASIK Consultation

Before you schedule the procedure, you’ll need to meet with your ophthalmologist to see if you’re a good candidate for LASIK. Despite being such a beneficial procedure, not everyone is a good candidate. Your ophthalmologist has been well-trained in identifying those who qualify and those who don’t in order to protect patients’ long-term eye health.

Disqualifying factors include:

Corneas that are too thin
Extreme cases of astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia
Advanced glaucoma
Poorly managed diabetes
Pregnant or nursing
Severe dry eye
Corneal scarring or keratoconus

This list is far from exhaustive. Your ophthalmologist will determine whether you’re a good candidate for LASIK surgery. Along with not having certain conditions, there are other requirements you must meet before being approved for the procedure.

Qualifying factors include:

An eye prescription that hasn’t drastically changed since last year
Healthy corneas that are thick enough for LASIK
A refractive problem that can actually be treated with LASIK
Realistic expectations about LASIK
Be at least 19 years old with a stable refraction

Special measurements of your eyes will be taken to determine if you qualify for LASIK. This includes your cornea size, pupil size, and the size of your refractive error. All of these precautions are designed to ensure your safety before, during, and after your LASIK procedure.

Preparing for LASIK Surgery

Once you’re approved for LASIK surgery, you’ll need to begin preparing for the procedure. People who wear contacts will have to stop wearing them for a few weeks leading up to their evaluation and prior to surgery. This is because contacts can change the shape of your cornea which can affect your results. Your doctor will give you instructions based on the type of contacts you wear and how long you have worn them.

Your surgeon will also want a list of any medications that you’re taking . This includes any over-the-counter medications you may take. This may seem overly cautious, but the truth is that OTCs like acne medications and even decongestants can lead to complications during LASIK surgery. So be honest with your surgeon since your safety is their chief concern.

You will also want to skip wearing any cosmetics, lotions, or perfumes on the day of your surgery. Cosmetics like mascara can actually increase your chances of getting an infection, which no one wants, while perfumes and lotions can cause the laser to not function properly.

Another important thing to know is that you will need a ride to and from surgery . There’s a chance that your surgeon will give you medication to help you relax on top of numbing eye drops. You don’t want to be behind the wheel in that condition. LASIK procedures usually take fewer than 30 minutes, so ask a friend to help you get home!

To learn what happens during LASIK surgery, click here !

Understanding the Risks of LASIK

There are risks in everything we do, including refractive surgery. While complications resulting from LASIK are rare, there are some common side effects which include dry eyes and vision problems such as glare. Fortunately, these symptoms are typically not long-term and can begin to fade a few weeks or months after your surgery.

Other risks of LASIK surgery include:

Infection
Double vision
Regression
Undercorrections
Overcorrections
Glare or halos

While there are risks, complications resulting from LASIK surgery are highly unlikely. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council :

Less than one percent of LASIK patients experience these surgical complications. That’s one percent, as opposed to 30 percent that report transient side effects.”

Your surgeon will do everything possible to prevent any unlikely complications and allow you to make a speedy recovery.

Are you interested in getting LASIK in Knoxville, TN? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

LASIK surgery is a refractive surgery that removes anything that may keep your eyes from focusing clearly. Before scheduling your procedure, you’ll need to meet with your ophthalmologist to see if you’re a good candidate. Once approved, you’ll begin preparing for surgery. Complications resulting from LASIK are rare, but there are some common side effects that you should be aware of.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

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What to Expect During Your First Eye Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide

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The Connection Between Diabetes and Eye Health

July 29, 2026

Diabetes affects various parts of the body, including your eyes. Keeping your blood sugar under control is not just good for your health overall, but it also helps protect your eyesight. Over time, high blood sugar can irritate the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and increase your risk of serious eye problems. Knowing how diabetes and eye health are linked can help you identify issues and take measures to protect your sight. How Does Diabetes Affect Eye Health? When blood sugar stays high, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the part of your eye that senses light and helps you see. Damaged blood vessels might leak fluid, swell, or change how well the retina works. Diabetic eye problems usually develop slowly, so you might not pick up on any changes in your vision until significant damage has occurred. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams, even if their eyesight seems fine. Common Eye Conditions Linked to Diabetes People with diabetes are more likely to have certain eye problems. Finding and treating these issues early can lower the chance of losing vision permanently. 1. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye issue that happens when high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels. These damaged vessels may leak fluid, which may cause blurry vision, dark spots, or changes in how you see. In advanced cases, abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to serious problems. If diabetic retinopathy worsens, new abnormal blood vessels can grow, causing serious problems, including vision loss. Getting regular eye exams can help catch these changes early, before they become severe. When fluid is retained in the macula (part of the retina which focuses on sharp central vision), this swelling can make it harder to read, recognize faces, or see fine details clearly. When detected early, treatments can help reduce swelling and protect your eyesight. 3. Cataracts People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting cataracts early. Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, which can cause blurry vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty seeing clearly. While cataracts come with age, having diabetes can make them appear sooner or progress quicker. 4. Glaucoma Diabetes can also raise your risk for glaucoma, which is a group of eye diseases that harm the optic nerve. Glaucoma usually starts without any clear symptoms, but if it is not treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. Routine regular eye exams are important for finding glaucoma early and keeping your eyes healthy Diabetes-related eye problems might not cause symptoms at first. Still, there are some warning signs you should look out for: • Blurry or distorted vision • Difficulty focusing • Dark spots, floaters, or shadows in your sight • Increased sensitivity to glare • Trouble seeing colors clearly • Sudden alterations in vision • Partial or complete loss of vision If you notice sudden vision changes, contact an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Value of Regular Eye Exams for People With Diabetes Getting a full eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision if you have diabetes. During the examination, your physician will study your retina, look for symptoms of diabetic eye disease, and track any changes over time. Many eye problems linked to diabetes can be treated more easily if they are found early. Regular checkups help your eye doctor give you advice that fits your own eye health and diabetes care. Protecting Your Eyes When You Have Diabetes Looking after your general health is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some things you can do to protect your vision: • Keeping blood sugar levels under control • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol • Scheduling regular diabetic eye exams • Following your diabetes treatment plan • Eating a balanced diet that promotes eye health • Avoiding smoking, which increases the risk of eye complications Prioritizing Your Vision and Eye Health Diabetes and eye health are closely linked, but you can lower your risk of serious vision problems by taking action early. Getting regular eye exams, making healthy choices, and managing your diabetes all help protect your eyesight. If you have diabetes, seeing your eye doctor regularly can help catch changes early and keep your vision clear for the future. Your eyes are a key part of your health, so make caring for them a priority at every age.