If you’re sick and tired of glasses, and you can’t stand putting on contact lenses in the morning, you might want to consider having a Southern California laser eye surgery. This surgical procedure is a pricey but it is more of a long-term alternative to having your specs and contact lenses upgraded every year. However, since a Southern California laser eye surgery is an intrusive procedure, you will have to keep some things in mind before having it. There are a lot of competent surgeons in the region who can do the procedure for you, but you need to make sure that your body can recover from the surgery first.

Choosing surgeons and hospitals

For a safe Southern California laser eye surgery, you need to make sure that your surgeon and your chosen clinic or hospital are both FDA approved first. If you’re letting the insurance company shoulder your surgery, you will have to make sure that this is the case. Insurance companies won’t back you up unless your surgeon is a legitimate practitioner who can handle the operation well.

You would also want to look for a surgeon who you’re personally comfortable with. Remember, your surgeon’s job doesn’t end at the operating table. S/he needs to be there too while you’re recovering. You would want a laser eye surgeon who’s accommodating, and who’ll gladly take you in if any complications do arise.   

Pre-surgical care

During your consultation before the surgery, you should present your complete medical records to your surgeon. This will allow him/her to take note of any health conditions which may affect your recovery later on. You should also provide a full list of all the medications you’re taking orally or otherwise. Some medications make you bleed easily, like blood thinners, so it’s important that your surgeon knows about it. At the very least, you will be asked to stop your medication at least 2 days before the procedure.  

Psychological preparations

You also need to be prepared for the results of your surgery. Remember that you’re going to spend quite a large amount of money on this procedure, and like any other medical procedure, a laser eye surgery is not perfect. It also doesn’t work the same way with all types of bodies. Your body may not respond as well as someone you know who had the laser eye surgery just a month ago.

You shouldn’t be disappointed if you fail to see results right away. Remember, some people need up to 6 months to adjust to the changes in their bodies. Others might see dramatic results once the bandages are down, but they may also experience sudden blurry visions in the middle of the day. Although this is most likely normal, you should still nonetheless notify your surgeon right away.

Not all eye sights can also be completely fixed with a laser eye surgery. When the damage is too severe, most people just end up having their prescriptions lowered. You shouldn’t despair because the important thing is, it did improve your vision. You didn’t just throw money out of the window by having the operation.

Post surgical care

Make sure that someone is with you after your Southern California laser eye surgery. You’ll be in bandages for 4 days or more, depending on your body’s capacity to recover. You should have someone to tend to you and drive you home during your recovery period.

Although there are very rare cases of complications, you should still prepare a first aid kit with pain killers and eye medication. This will provide you temporary relief from pain just in case something happens and you can’t reach your surgeon immediately.