Before and after
LASIK and LASEK
Accurate numbers before, careful habits after
Before a LASIK or LASEK exam, take your contact lenses out for the required number of days and plan not to drive. After surgery, avoid rubbing your eyes and follow the drop schedule exactly.
Your measurements depend on how well you prepare, and your result depends on aftercare. This guide walks through each stage at Sky Eye Clinic in Seoul.
When to stop wearing contacts
Contact lenses change the shape of the cornea for a while. Leave them out long enough and the measurements reflect your real eye.
| Lens type | Take it out this long before the exam |
|---|---|
| Soft lenses | 5 days |
| Hard lenses and toric lenses | 10 days |
| Ortho-k lenses | At least 4 weeks |
Exams, surgery and consultations are all by appointment. Interpreters in English, Japanese and Chinese are on site.
Getting ready for exam and surgery
Before you come in
- Do not drive yourself on exam or surgery day
- Retinal checks use dilating drops; driving, reading and screens are hard for about 3 to 4 hours afterwards
- Skip eye makeup for the precision exam. On surgery day, wear nothing but toner: no skin or eye makeup, no perfume
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, hormones can shift the readings. Schedule the exam after birth or after breastfeeding ends
- Bring non-prescription sunglasses and a hat for UV protection
- Post-surgery eye drops are bought separately
- The day before, rest and avoid alcohol. Wear comfortable clothes rather than a hoodie, cap or skirt
What feels normal afterwards
Hands away from your eyes
Do not rub your eyes on surgery day. Use your eye drops exactly as you were told.
When everyday things come back
| Activity | Allowed from |
|---|---|
| Washing your face and hair | Day 3 after surgery |
| Skin makeup | The day you start washing your face |
| Eye makeup | About 2 weeks after surgery |
| Light exercise | 1 week after surgery |
| Public baths and saunas | 2 weeks after surgery |
| Exercise that could knock the eyes | 1 month after surgery |
New SMILE LASIK has different limits on the first day, so compare if you are still choosing.
Who to contact
How you look after your eyes in the weeks after surgery has a strong bearing on how satisfied you are with the result. If anything feels wrong, get in touch with the clinic’s customer service team through the contact page rather than waiting.
Travelling from abroad? The first visit guide and directions help you plan the trip.
Questions before and after surgery
How long before the exam should my contacts come out?
Soft lenses 5 days, hard and toric lenses 10 days, and ortho-k lenses at least 4 weeks, so the readings are accurate.
When can I wash my face again?
From day 3 after surgery, along with your hair. Public baths and saunas wait until 2 weeks.
When can I exercise or wear eye makeup?
Light exercise after 1 week, exercise that could knock the eyes after 1 month. Eye makeup after about 2 weeks.
Can I drive to the exam or surgery?
No. Driving is difficult on exam and surgery days, so arrange another way to travel.
How long does early discomfort last?
Around half a day after LASIK, and up to 3 to 4 days after LASEK. It varies between people.
