How to Prepare for Your First LASIK Consultation

What to expect, how to get ready, and how Anaheim Eye Institute ensures a smooth and informed experience

LASIK remains one of the most popular and effective vision-correction procedures available today. For millions of people, it has delivered the freedom to see clearly without depending on glasses or contact lenses. But before you consider surgery, the most important step is your initial LASIK consultation, where your eyes are evaluated to determine whether you are a good candidate and which treatment approach is best for your needs.

At Anaheim Eye Institute, every LASIK journey begins with education, precision testing, and a personalized assessment. Preparing properly for your consultation ensures you get the most accurate results and walk into your appointment feeling confident, informed, and ready for next steps. This guide walks you through exactly how to get ready and what to expect.

 “The best LASIK results start long before surgery — they begin with a thorough, informed consultation.”

Stop Wearing Contact Lenses Before Your Consultation

One of the most important preparation steps is discontinuing contact lens use beforehand. Contacts can temporarily alter the natural shape of your cornea, which affects the accuracy of your LASIK measurements.

Recommendations typically include:

• Soft lenses: stop wearing them 3–7 days before your evaluation
• Toric lenses: stop for at least 1–2 weeks
• Rigid gas-permeable lenses: stop for 2–4 weeks

Your surgeon may adjust these guidelines depending on your prescription. Arriving with stable corneal measurements ensures your LASIK plan is based on precise, reliable data.

Know Your Medical and Vision History

Your LASIK consultation will include a detailed review of your eye health and medical background. Be prepared to share information such as:

• past eye surgeries or injuries
• any history of dry eyes
• autoimmune or systemic conditions
• current medications
• your family history of eye disease
• how long you’ve worn glasses or contacts
• your typical screen-time habits

This helps your surgeon tailor the evaluation and ensures that LASIK is safe and appropriate for your eyes.

Expect Comprehensive Eye Testing

Unlike a quick vision exam, a LASIK consultation involves advanced imaging and diagnostics to create a complete picture of your eye health. At Anaheim Eye Institute, this includes:

Corneal Topography

A 3D map of your cornea to analyze curvature, thickness, and shape.

Pachymetry

Measures corneal thickness to determine eligibility for LASIK.

Wavefront Analysis

Detects subtle imperfections (higher-order aberrations) that impact night vision and clarity.

Tear Film Evaluation

Assesses dryness and tear quality to reduce postoperative irritation.

Retinal and General Eye Health Exam

Ensures there are no underlying issues such as keratoconus, glaucoma, or unexplained inflammation.

The goal is to determine with certainty whether LASIK is the best option for your vision.

Prepare Questions Ahead of Time

A LASIK consultation is the perfect opportunity to get answers and clarify anything you’re unsure about. Patients often find it helpful to bring a list of questions. Consider asking:

• Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
• Are there alternatives like PRK or SMILE that may be better for me?
• What kind of long-term results can I expect?
• How long is recovery?
• Will I still need reading glasses later in life?
• What risks should I be aware of?
• What technology do you use for LASIK?
• How soon can I resume work or workouts?

Arriving with questions helps you make an informed decision and ensures you feel comfortable before moving forward.

Avoid Eye Makeup and Lotions Before Your Appointment

On the day of your consultation, avoid wearing:

• mascara
• eyeliner
• eye shadow
• creamy or oily lotions around your eyes

Makeup particles can interfere with testing equipment and temporarily irritate the eyes, altering certain measurements.

If you normally wear contact lenses out of habit, bring your glasses and arrive without contacts.

Be Ready for Your Eyes to Be Dilated

Your surgeon may use dilating drops to fully examine the back of your eyes. This can cause:

• temporary blurred vision
• sensitivity to light
• difficulty reading up close for a few hours

If you are sensitive to light or plan to drive afterward, bring sunglasses or arrange for someone to accompany you.

Review Your Lifestyle and Vision Goals

LASIK is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Your surgeon will ask about:

• your job
• your hobbies (swimming, sports, outdoor activities)
• any nighttime driving challenges
• whether you prefer independence from glasses at all distances
• your long-term vision expectations

This information helps determine whether LASIK, PRK, or another refractive option is the most suitable and safe choice for your eyes.

Conclusion

Preparing for your LASIK consultation allows you to get the most accurate results and understand the full scope of your treatment options. By stopping contact lens use, gathering your medical history, preparing questions, and knowing what to expect, you’ll enter your appointment feeling confident and informed.

At Anaheim Eye Institute, our specialists use advanced diagnostics and personalized planning to help each patient determine the safest and most effective vision-correction path.

FAQs

How long does a LASIK consultation take?

Most evaluations take about 1–2 hours due to the detailed imaging and examination.

Does the consultation hurt?

No. All tests are noninvasive and comfortable.

Is everyone a candidate for LASIK?

No. Some patients may be better suited for PRK, SMILE, or lens-based procedures depending on corneal thickness, prescription, and eye health.

Call to Action

Ready to explore clearer vision without glasses or contacts? Schedule your LASIK consultation with Anaheim Eye Institute today and take the first step toward long-lasting visual freedom.