How to Ease Anxiety Before Laser Eye Surgery

Despite LASIK eye surgery being one of the safest and most commonly performed medical procedures with an incredibly high success rate, many patients report feeling anxious or stressed in the days leading up to their appointment.While it’s entirely normal to feel nervous about any kind of surgical procedure, taking certain steps to ease pre-operative anxiety can be very beneficial and effective for worried LASIK patients.If you are struggling with feelings of anxiety surrounding an upcoming or potential future LASIK surgery, don’t fret. There are several things you can do to help put your mind at ease, so you can experience less stress and feel more excitement surrounding your life-changing vision correction procedure.Below are seven effective steps you can take to ease your anxiety before LASIK eye surgery:

1. Speak with your doctor about any concerns

Having uncertainties, concerns, or doubts regarding a procedure you’ve never even undergone is completely normal, and it can be a big contributing factor to the stress you’re experiencing. This is why it’s so important to discuss such concerns with your LASIK doctor or surgeon prior to your procedure.In order to be as thorough as possible, we encouraged you to create a list containing all of your questions or concerns. The more educated you are about your upcoming LASIK procedure, the more content and at ease you are likely to feel in the days leading up to treatment. Laser eye surgery is quite a big deal, and you deserve to be as informed as possible about all that’s involved. Our compassionate doctors at Clearview Vision Institute are always happy to help bring you more clarity and comfort, so feel free to reach out whenever uncertainties arise.

2. Read up on how to better prepare beforehand

Just as being more informed can ease your worries, being more prepared can do the same by providing you with a greater sense of control. Our doctors recommend doing some reading about how to best prepare for your upcoming LASIK procedure.Look into what you can expect during and after your procedure, and prepare where you can to ensure a smooth and hassle-free recovery. For example, stock up on foods that don’t require intensive preparation or cooking, as you’ll be required to take it easy in the first few days of healing.Additionally, you can ask any of our staff members who have undergone LASIK themselves for feedback, as we would be happy to share our experiences. A sense of community and positivity surrounding laser eye surgery can help to bring you comfort, and will further put your mind at ease.

3. Practice deep breathing exercises

Deep breathing exercises are a fantastic method for eliminating feelings of anxiety while bringing a sense of peace and relaxation to the mind and body. These practices literally send signals to the brain that help you to calm down during times of stress.When we are feeling anxious or uneasy, our breathing tends to be shallow, thus disrupting the vital levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. This can then lead to unpleasant side effects such as panic attacks, increased heart rate, tense muscles, and dizziness.A helpful deep breathing exercise to try while you’re feeling stressed is the 4-7-8 technique. With this method, you breathe in through your nostrils to the count of four seconds, followed by holding your breath for seven, and finally releasing your breath through your mouth to the count of eight.

4. Dabble in distractions

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, distraction is an effective way to take your mind off of things by directing your energy toward activities you enjoy. Distraction works best when you choose particular activities that interrupt your train of thought and bring your mind to a flow state, even if it’s only for seconds at a time.Common activities that work great for distraction include going for a walk outside and observing nature, watching a comedy movie on TV or funny video clips online, cooking a new dish or baking a new treat, listening to some of your favourite tunes or relaxation music for meditation, or listening to a podcast on a topic of interest.Anything you can do that you find enjoyable will go a long way in bringing your focus to the present, and freeing your mind from unnecessary or excessive worry.

5. Take a calming bath

Taking a warm and soothing bath the night before your LASIK procedure can go a long way in helping to ease some of your stresses, both mentally and physically. Adding bubbles, bath salts, or essential oils such as chamomile or lavender will help to make your experience that much more pleasant, not to mention relaxing and sleep-inducing.

6. Get your blood flowing through physical activity

Exercise not only presents physical health benefits, but it can also greatly improve your mood and stress levels through the release of endorphins. This could simply mean taking a brisk walk, or participating in a more intensive workout involving weight lifting or running. Getting involved in fun and competitive sports such as tennis can also be an effective method for staving off stress.Alternatively, getting the blood flowing through yoga exercises can help to bring the body and mind back to a state of calm and peacefulness.

7. Head to the appointment with a friend or family member for support

Last, but certainly not least, have a trusted friend or family member take you to your appointment as the ultimate form of support. While they are currently unable to enter the clinic due to Covid-19 safety practices, just having them with you before your appointment is a great way to ease anxiety. Often, it helps immensely to simply not have to face our fears alone and having a reassuring companion that we trust drop us off can do wonders for our anxiety.

Contact Clearview Vision Institute Today

Are you ready to schedule your LASIK eye surgery in Toronto? Our team of experts is here to provide the most pleasant care experience possible and would be pleased to walk you through the process so you can make your informed decision free of unnecessary stress. If you have any questions about laser eye surgery in Toronto, feel free to reach out!

To book an appointment, call Clearview Vision Institute at 647-493-6371 or contact us here.