Vision correction
LASIK and LASEK pre and post-op guide: what to do before and after surgery
This LASIK and LASEK pre and post-op guide tells you what to do before your exams, on surgery day, and during recovery at Sky Eye Clinic in Seoul. Follow it closely: measurements depend on it, and careful aftercare protects your result.
Before surgery
Exams, surgery and consultations at Sky Eye Clinic are all by appointment. Interpreters in English, Japanese and Chinese are on site. Before you arrive, follow these rules.
| Contact lens type | Remove it before the exam |
|---|---|
| Soft lenses | 5 days |
| Hard lenses and toric lenses | 10 days |
| Ortho-k lenses | At least 4 weeks |
- Retinal exam: dilating drops make near work such as driving, reading and computer use hard for about 3 to 4 hours.
- Makeup: avoid eye makeup for precision exams. On surgery day, skip skin makeup except toner, eye makeup and perfume.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: hormones can affect measurements, so schedule the exam after childbirth or after breastfeeding ends.
- UV protection: bring non-prescription sunglasses and a hat.
- Eye drops: post-surgery drops are bought separately.
- Driving: do not drive yourself on exam or surgery days.
- The day before: rest, avoid alcohol and wear comfortable clothing, not hoodies, caps or skirts.
Surgery day: what feels normal
You may have eye irritation, tearing and a grainy foreign body sensation. This is normal and fades naturally. After LASIK the discomfort may last half a day. After LASEK it can last up to 3 to 4 days.
Do not rub your eyes on surgery day. Use eye drops exactly as instructed.
Recovery timeline
| Activity | When it is allowed |
|---|---|
| Washing face and hair | From day 3 after surgery |
| Skin makeup | From 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 may impact the eyes | 1 month after surgery |
Excessive TV, computer and smartphone use, and smoking, can cause dry eye during recovery. Avoid them as much as you can. Compare the recovery of New SMILE LASIK, which has different day-one limits.
Get answers fast
Post-operative care strongly influences how satisfied you are with the result. If something feels wrong after surgery, contact the clinic's customer service team. Plan your trip with the first visit guide, see directions and return to vision correction in Korea. Book your free consultation to start.
Questions answered
How long before the exam must I stop wearing contact lenses?
Remove soft lenses 5 days before, hard and toric lenses 10 days before, and ortho-k lenses at least 4 weeks before, so measurements are accurate.
When can I wash my face after surgery?
Washing your face and hair is possible from day 3. Public baths and saunas are allowed after 2 weeks.
When can I exercise and wear eye makeup?
Light exercise is possible after 1 week, and exercise that may impact the eyes after 1 month. Wait about 2 weeks for eye makeup.
Can I drive myself to the exam or surgery?
No. Driving is difficult on the day of examination and surgery, so please avoid driving yourself.
Get your free consultation before you decide
- Free consultation and checkup, even if you decide against surgery
- Same price as Korean patients, no overseas surcharge
- Interpreters in English, Japanese and Chinese
