What Medicine Do They Give You for LASIK?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

LASIK is a remarkably quick and generally painless procedure, with the laser portion often taking less than a minute per eye. To ensure patient comfort and prevent complications, a carefully managed regimen of pharmaceutical agents is used, leading many to ask: what medicine do they give you for LASIK?.

Quick Summary

LASIK patients receive a regimen of medications across three phases: before, during, and after the procedure. This includes mild oral sedatives for anxiety, topical anesthetic drops for numbing, and a variety of post-operative eye drops to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and alleviate dryness.

Key Points

Pre-operative sedatives: A mild oral sedative like Valium or Ativan can be offered to reduce anxiety before the procedure.
Numbing eye drops: Topical anesthetic drops, such as proparacaine, are used during the surgery to ensure a painless experience.
Post-operative eye drops: The recovery phase involves a strict schedule of antibiotic, steroid, and lubricating drops to prevent infection, manage inflammation, and soothe dryness.
Medication adjustments: It is crucial to inform your surgeon of all current medications, as some may need to be temporarily stopped before LASIK.
No strong pain medications: Oral pain relievers like acetaminophen are typically sufficient for post-operative discomfort, and strong narcotics are not necessary.

Pre-Operative and Preparatory Medications

Before you even enter the laser suite, your surgical team prepares your eyes and helps you feel at ease. The medication protocol begins with several steps to minimize risk and maximize comfort.

Oral Sedatives for Anxiety

For many patients, the thought of eye surgery can cause anxiety. To help you relax and remain calm, your surgeon may offer a mild oral sedative shortly before the procedure. Commonly used options include diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan), which are given 15 to 30 minutes before surgery. These medications calm the central nervous system, ensuring you can lie still and comfortably without being put to sleep. Patients should arrange for transportation home, as these sedatives can impair coordination and affect your ability to drive.

Preparatory Eye Drops

In the days leading up to the surgery, you may be instructed to use antibiotic and sometimes steroid eye drops. This regimen is crucial for optimizing the health of your eyes before the procedure.

Antibiotic drops: Used to reduce the bacterial count on the surface of your eye and minimize the risk of infection. Popular choices include moxifloxacin or gatifloxacin.
Steroid drops: May be used in some cases to reduce pre-existing inflammation and prepare the cornea for surgery.

Medications Used During the LASIK Procedure

During the brief procedure, the primary goal is to ensure a painless experience while maintaining a sterile environment. No injections or needles are used for numbing.

Topical Anesthetic Eye Drops

Just before the procedure begins, topical anesthetic eye drops, such as proparacaine or tetracaine, are administered to completely numb the surface of your eye. These drops work by blocking nerve signals in the cornea, making the surgery painless. You may feel a sensation of light pressure during certain steps, but you will not feel sharp pain.

Antiseptic Wash

An antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine, is applied to the eye's surface at the start of the procedure. This provides an extra layer of protection against infection by killing any bacteria, viruses, or fungi present. The topical anesthetic ensures that you do not feel any stinging from the antiseptic.

Post-Operative Medications for Healing and Recovery

The most extensive part of the medication protocol happens after the surgery, at home. A strict regimen of eye drops is necessary for the healing process.

Prescription Eye Drops

Your surgeon will provide specific instructions for using prescribed drops, which typically include:

Antibiotic drops: Continued for about a week to prevent infection as your eyes heal. Following the correct schedule is critical for a full recovery.
Steroid eye drops: Used to control and reduce inflammation after the procedure. Common options include prednisolone (Pred Forte) or loteprednol (Lotemax). Your doctor will typically provide a tapering schedule to gradually reduce the dose.

Over-the-Counter Medications

In addition to the prescription drops, your doctor will recommend over-the-counter options for managing comfort.

Lubricating eye drops (artificial tears): Dryness is a common temporary side effect of LASIK. You will be instructed to use preservative-free artificial tears frequently to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Popular brands include Systane and Refresh. Frequent application also helps wash away debris and aid in healing.
Oral pain relievers: For the first few hours after surgery, some patients experience a gritty or uncomfortable feeling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are often sufficient to manage this mild discomfort. Stronger pain medications are typically unnecessary.

Medication Comparison: Post-LASIK Eye Drops


Medication Type	Primary Purpose	Common Examples	How it Works	Key Instruction
Antibiotic Drops	Prevents infection	Moxifloxacin (Vigamox), Gatifloxacin (Zymar), Ofloxacin (Ocuflox)	Kills bacteria on the eye's surface.	Use for about one week post-surgery, follow dosage exactly.
Steroid Drops	Reduces inflammation	Loteprednol (Lotemax), Prednisolone (Pred Forte)	Calms the body's inflammatory response to aid healing.	Use for a prescribed period, often with a tapering schedule.
Artificial Tears	Lubricates the eye, relieves dryness	Systane Ultra, Refresh Plus (Preservative-free)	Supplements natural tear film, relieves gritty sensation.	Use frequently throughout the day, especially the first week.

Important Considerations

Communicating with your surgical team is essential for a safe procedure. Be sure to discuss any and all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Some medications, particularly those affecting healing or causing dry eye (like isotretinoin or certain antihistamines), may need to be temporarily discontinued. Your surgeon can create a personalized medication plan tailored to your specific needs and medical history. For more information on what to expect, refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Conclusion

The medication regimen for LASIK is a critical part of the process, ensuring a patient's comfort and promoting successful healing. From anxiety-reducing tablets and numbing drops to a strict post-operative schedule of antibiotics, steroids, and artificial tears, each medication plays a specific and important role. By understanding and following your surgeon's instructions, you can minimize discomfort, prevent complications, and enjoy the benefits of improved vision after your LASIK procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

For LASIK, a topical anesthetic is used in the form of numbing eye drops, such as proparacaine or tetracaine. These drops are applied just before the procedure to make it virtually painless.

Yes, it is common for surgeons to offer a mild oral sedative, such as diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan), to help anxious patients feel more relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.

Yes, certain medications should be avoided or discussed with your surgeon beforehand. This includes blood thinners, some allergy medications that can cause dry eyes, and medications affecting wound healing, like isotretinoin.

Post-LASIK eye drops are essential for a successful recovery. You will use antibiotic drops to prevent infection, steroid drops to reduce inflammation, and lubricating drops (artificial tears) to manage dryness and irritation.

LASIK is not performed without medication. The topical anesthetic eye drops are highly effective at numbing the eye's surface, ensuring the procedure itself is painless. Any post-operative discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

The duration of eye drop use varies. Prescription antibiotic and steroid drops are generally used for about one week. Artificial tears, however, may be needed for several weeks or months to manage temporary dryness.

Missing a dose can increase the risk of complications. If you miss a dose, it's best to take it as soon as you remember. However, always follow your doctor's specific instructions, and notify them if you are consistently having trouble adhering to the schedule.

No, you cannot drive yourself home after LASIK. Even if you do not take an oral sedative, your vision may be blurry and your eyes sensitive immediately following the procedure. It is a safety requirement to have someone drive you home.