Medically Reviewed by Tom Tooma, M.D., Founder/Medical Director
Further Reading
- Myths
- Recovery Timelines and Tips
- For Police
- Are You Eligible?
- Can You Watch TV?
- Can It Cause Blindness?
- Does it Hurt or Cause Pain?
- Can You Get a Driver’s License if You Have Had LASIK?
- Are There Age Limits?
- Alternatives and Comparisons
- Long-Term Effects
- Post-Surgery Eye Care
- Success Rates and Safety
- Can You Get it Twice?
- Pros and Cons
- Contacts and Glasses After LASIK?
- Are You Awake During Lasik?
- Is LASIK Safe?
- When Is LASIK Enhancement Needed?
- Can Vision Be Too Bad for LASIK?
- LASIK Surgery On Both Eyes
- LASIK and Corneal Thickness
- History of LASIK
- Computer Use Guidelines After LASIK
- Halos After LASIK
- LASIK Side Effects
- 7 Ways to Prevent and Reduce Pain After LASIK Surgery
- How Does it Work?
- LASIK Disqualifications
What Drugs Are Given Prior to LASIK Surgery?
Medically Reviewed by Tom Tooma, M.D., Founder/Medical Director
Although LASIK is a fast and safe surgical procedure to correct refractive errors, it is still an operation that may involve taking some medications before or after the surgery.
Table of Contents
LASIK medications include an antibiotic and a steroid drop to use one day to three days before surgery. The antibiotic is to prevent infection. The steroid drops work with the antibiotic drops to optimize your tear film. The antibiotic and steroid drops are continued for one week following surgery.
A relaxing pill is typically given 20 to 30 minutes before surgery to minimize anxiety during surgery.
If you are taking other medications, you should share that information with your surgeon. You might need to adjust or stop some prescription medications before undergoing LASIK.
Which Medications Will Your Eye Surgeon Recommend or Prescribe?
During LASIK, your doctor will use anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye.
You will be awake during the procedure. Since you will be given relaxing medications before surgery, your anxiety level during surgery should be minimized. You will watch a videotape before surgery about what to expect during and after surgery. You will also be given instructions about how to use your postoperative LASIK medications.
References
- The Basics of LASIK Eye Surgery. (August 2012). Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Information.
- Methods of Sedation for LASIK. (April 2012). Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today.
- Preoperative Evaluation for LASIK Surgery. (October 2019). EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
The information provided on this page should not be used in place of information provided by a doctor or specialist. To learn more, read our Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy pages.
Further Reading
- Myths
- Recovery Timelines and Tips
- For Police
- Are You Eligible?
- Can You Watch TV?
- Can It Cause Blindness?
- Does it Hurt or Cause Pain?
- Can You Get a Driver’s License if You Have Had LASIK?
- Are There Age Limits?
- Alternatives and Comparisons
- Long-Term Effects
- Post-Surgery Eye Care
- Success Rates and Safety
- Can You Get it Twice?
- Pros and Cons
- Contacts and Glasses After LASIK?
- Are You Awake During Lasik?
- Is LASIK Safe?
- When Is LASIK Enhancement Needed?
- Can Vision Be Too Bad for LASIK?
- LASIK Surgery On Both Eyes
- LASIK and Corneal Thickness
- History of LASIK
- Computer Use Guidelines After LASIK
- Halos After LASIK
- LASIK Side Effects
- 7 Ways to Prevent and Reduce Pain After LASIK Surgery
- How Does it Work?
- LASIK Disqualifications