LASIK eye surgery can be an ideal solution for many people, but it is essential to be mentally prepared for the procedure. Many of the preliminary steps leading up to the surgery focus on physical condition, but any medical procedure has psychological and emotional components that must be considered. How can you be sure that you're ready for LASIK eye surgery? By assessing your own attitudes and following a few simple tips, you can be mentally prepared for LASIK eye surgery.

Evaluate Your Own Expectations

The first step toward preparing for LASIK is to assess your own expectations for the procedure. What results do you anticipate? What changes do you expect to happen after the surgery? The key to having a successful outcome is to be realistic. While laser eye surgery can dramatically improve eyesight, the results are not always perfect. Some individuals may even find that they still need to wear some type of corrective eye wear after the LASIK procedure.

Overly ambitious expectations can lead to crushing disappointments, so it is absolutely essential to discuss your goals and plans with your doctor. An experienced surgeon will be able to provide realistic guidelines for what results you might anticipate. By understanding the potential outcomes, you'll be far more likely to be fully satisfied with your results.

Understand the Potential Risks

Of course, no medical procedure is without some risk. While LASIK is considered very safe, there are some potential risks, side effects and complications of which all patients should be aware. A small number of people who undergo laser eye surgery (between one and five percent) experience complications such as light halos, increased light sensitivity, dry eyes, imperfect vision and increased sensitivity. In many cases, these problems can be corrected with additional surgery or the symptoms will dissipate over time.

Prepare for the Procedure

Another way to become more mentally prepared for LASIK is to make sure that you are also physically prepared. By knowing that you are ready to have the surgery, you will feel more secure and confident. Follow the recommendations and guidelines provided by your surgeon to ensure that you are completely prepared for LASIK.

Most doctors recommend not wearing contact for a period of several days or even several weeks prior to the procedure. Another step you can take is to avoid wearing perfumes and colognes, which can irritate the delicate tissues of the eyes. Women should not wear makeup for at least three days before the laser procedure. While eye-makeup removal products can take off the visible makeup, tiny particles can still get into the eyes and lead to irritation and pain.