After sharing my LASIK experience in Part 1, I wanted to dive into something I wish I had known much earlier: all the little things you need to avoid before and after surgery. You don’t really think about these details until you’re suddenly told “Oh, you can’t do that!”
If you haven't read the first part of the series, check out below!
[블로그] 2026 Korea LASIK GuideㅣPart 1: My Real Laser Eye Surgery Experience & How to Pick the Right Clinic
Because I work in the travel industry, I’ve met so many visitors who come to Korea wanting to get LASIK, but most of them have no idea about these small rules that can seriously affect how smoothly the surgery goes. Now that I’ve gone through the whole process myself, I finally understand why clinics are so strict about them.
They’re simple, honestly, but they’re also really easy to overlook, especially when you’re traveling and trying to squeeze everything into your schedule.
So in Part 2, I’m sharing the exact things I had to avoid. These would’ve saved me a lot of stress if I had known them from the start.
Check out my full experience below!
Before the Surgery: What You MUST Avoid
1. Contact Lenses (This is the biggest reason surgeries get postponed!)
My clinic told me this is the #1 issue they run into with patients.
- Hard lenses: stop wearing them 2+ weeks before
- Soft lenses: stop 5 days before
Contacts temporarily change your cornea’s shape. If your measurements aren’t accurate, the clinic simply can’t operate that day. So if you're traveling, make sure to bring your glasses.
2. Avoid Drinking the Night Before
It might feel harmless to have a drink the night before, especially if you’re on vacation, but even a single glass can dry out your eyes more than you think. Dryness can affect your exam results and make the whole process a little less smooth. For the best experience—and the most accurate measurements—it’s really better to skip alcohol altogether the night before your surgery. Your eyes will thank you the next day.
3. Stop Aspirin or Heart Medications 7 Days Before (Clinic Requirement)
Certain medications—especially aspirin or heart-related prescriptions—can thin your blood or interfere with how your eyes respond during the procedure. Because LASIK requires extremely precise measurements and a stable eye condition, the clinic asked me to stop these medications a full week before surgery.
Of course, you should always check with your doctor first, but this is something most clinics in Korea will bring up during your consultation. It’s one of those details that seems minor until you realize how much it can affect the safety and accuracy of the surgery.
4. No Makeup on Surgery Day (Not Even “Natural” Makeup)
This was one rule the clinic repeated nonstop, and now I understand why. On surgery day, you really can’t wear any makeup—not even the light “no-makeup makeup” look many of us default to.
They told me to avoid everything, including:
- mascara
- eyeliner
- lash glue
- eyeshadow
- BB cream or foundation
- waterproof products (these are especially hard to remove!)
Even the tiniest bit of residue around your eyes can cause irritation or interfere with the accuracy of the procedure. It’s better to arrive with a completely clean face so the clinic can keep the area as sterile as possible. It feels strange to head out bare-faced, but it makes the whole process safer and smoother.
After the Surgery: What You MUST Avoid During Recovery
1. Do Not Drive
No matter how confident you feel, you absolutely shouldn’t plan on driving after your LASIK surgery. Your vision will be blurry, your eyes will be sensitive to light, and focusing on the road will feel almost impossible.
The clinic made this very clear: arrange your transportation before the surgery. Take a taxi, use public transit, or have a friend come with you. Trust me—once you walk out of the operating room, you’ll be glad you don’t have to worry about getting yourself home.
2. Don’t Rub Your Eyes
This was honestly the hardest rule for me to follow. Your eyes will feel itchy, dry, and a little irritated right after surgery, and every instinct in your body will tell you to rub them. I tried so hard not to, but the urge was real.
But rubbing your eyes can interfere with the healing process and even shift the flap, which is why clinics constantly remind you not to touch them at all. Make good use of the eye shields and the drops they give you—those are what really got me through the first day or two. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s temporary, and it helps your eyes heal properly.
3. Wear Sunglasses (Your Eyes Will Be Very Light-Sensitive)
With SMILE LASIK, sunglasses aren’t technically required, but I’m really glad I had a pair with me. The moment you step outside, all the light hits your eyes at once, and they can feel surprisingly sensitive. It’s not painful, just uncomfortable—like stepping into bright sunlight after sitting in a dark room for too long.
A simple pair of sunglasses makes a huge difference. They help your eyes relax, reduce the strain from bright lights, and make the trip home a lot more manageable. So even if your clinic says they’re optional, bring a comfortable pair just in case. Your eyes will appreciate it.
4. Wear Comfortable Clothing
This is something people don’t usually think about, but it makes a big difference. On surgery day, avoid anything tight or anything you have to pull over your head. You don’t want to accidentally brush your eyes while changing, and you definitely don’t want to deal with uncomfortable clothes when your eyes are already feeling sensitive.
Go for soft, loose, easy-to-wear pieces. Comfort really matters more than you’d expect during those first few hours after surgery.
5. Use All the Post-Surgery Items the Clinic Gives You
The clinic I went gave me several different eye drops,
and I used them throughout the entire month.
Make sure to use everything the clinic gives you for aftercare. I ended up relying on all of it—especially the different eye drops. My clinic gave me anti-inflammatory drops, pain-relief drops, and artificial tears, and told me to use them regularly for about a month.
Your eyes will feel dry at first, so keeping the drops with you really helps. It’s a simple routine, but following the instructions makes the healing process a lot more comfortable.
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