Pre and Post Surgical Eye Care New Brighton
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All You Need to Know
Preparing for eye surgery can feel overwhelming, which is why Art of Optiks focuses on education, coordination, and patient-centered care from the start. If you’re planning a procedure near Zimmerman, our team works alongside your surgeon to help manage expectations, explain timelines, and ensure nothing is overlooked. Our role is to make the process feel organized, approachable, and clear.
Every patient’s eyes and vision goals are different. During your initial visits, our doctors take time to review your medical history, answer questions, and explain how each step of care fits into your long-term eye health. By prioritizing communication and individualized planning, Art of Optiks helps patients feel confident moving forward with surgery and recovery.
Pre-Surgical Care
Successful surgical outcomes begin long before the procedure itself. At Art of Optiks, pre-surgical care includes detailed eye exams and health assessments designed to uncover any factors that could affect healing or results. This proactive approach allows our doctors to address concerns early and optimize your eyes for surgery.
Thorough preparation not only supports safety but also improves accuracy during surgical planning. Our team ensures you understand what to expect and why each step matters, helping reduce stress and improve overall outcomes.
Cataracts
Cataract surgery requires careful coordination and preparation. Before your procedure, our doctors will review your health history and discuss any medications that may need to be adjusted. Some prescriptions, such as blood thinners or certain prostate medications, can impact surgery and may need to be paused temporarily.
- Stop wearing contacts two weeks before surgery
- Bring a driver to your appointment
- Fast for a minimum of twelve hours before surgery if being sedated
- Use pre-operative eye drops three days before surgery
- Wash hair the morning of surgery if needed
Precise measurements are taken prior to surgery to determine the best intraocular lens for your vision needs. These measurements play a critical role in achieving clear and comfortable vision after surgery.
Glaucoma Surgery
Glaucoma occurs when elevated pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, potentially leading to permanent vision loss. When surgical intervention is recommended, preparation is essential. Depending on the severity and type of glaucoma, treatment may involve laser therapy, drainage devices, or other surgical techniques.
- Stop taking any blood thinners or flagged prescription medications
- Take prescription antibiotic eye drops leading up to surgery
- Limit food and beverages starting at midnight the day before your surgery
- Bring a driver to your appointment
- No make-up, moisturizers, or jewelry
- Comfortable loose clothing
Carefully following these instructions helps ensure the procedure goes smoothly. Planning transportation and post-surgical support ahead of time allows you to focus fully on recovery..
LASIK
LASIK surgery relies on precise measurements, making pre-operative preparation especially important. Following instructions closely ensures your eyes are in the proper condition for accurate evaluation and treatment.
- Stop wearing contacts three weeks before surgery
- Bring a driver to your appointment
- Continue taking regular medications
- No perfume or make-up
- Eat a light breakfast or lunch
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
These steps help create optimal conditions for your procedure and support reliable results.
Post-Surgical Care
Healing continues after surgery, and post-operative care plays a major role in long-term success. Art of Optiks schedules follow-up visits to monitor your progress, evaluate healing, and adjust care as needed. Our doctors provide clear instructions and remain available to answer questions during recovery.
Consistent follow-up ensures potential issues are addressed early and allows your care plan to be adjusted for comfort and effectiveness.
Cataracts
After cataract surgery, vision may be blurry or sensitive, making it necessary to have someone drive you home. Protective eyewear is provided to shield your eyes during the initial healing phase..
- Wear provided eye shields as you sleep for three nights following surgery
- Get plenty of rest to promote proper healing
- Relax and don’t overexert yourself
- Take prescription antibiotic eye drops and anti-inflammatories
- Take prescription pain relief if applicable
- Avoid bending and any sudden movements for three days following surgery
Our team will review proper eye care techniques and recovery expectations to help protect your results.
Glaucoma Surgery
Recovery following glaucoma surgery varies based on the specific procedure performed. Patients typically spend several hours at the surgical center, with full recovery taking place over several weeks.
- Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes
- Take all prescription medication provided by your doctor
- Avoid heavy lifting and excessive activity
- Avoid swimming pools
You’ll return the morning after surgery for a follow-up visit. During this appointment, the eye patch is removed, eye pressure is checked, and healing is assessed.
LASIK
Many patients experience noticeable vision improvement shortly after LASIK surgery. Mild dryness or haziness is common early on and usually resolves with proper care.
- Utilize eye drops as recommended
- Do not rub or squeeze your eyes for a week following surgery
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes at all times
- Wear provided eye shields as you sleep for three nights following surgery
- Avoid make-up and cosmetics for one week following surgery
- Do not use hot tubs or pools for one week following surgery
- Refrain from sports and exercise for one week following surgery
Attending all scheduled follow-up visits allows your doctor to confirm healing and visual stability.
Locations & Doctors
At Art of Optiks, our doctors believe excellent eye care goes beyond technology—it includes trust, education, and personalized attention. Our team encourages patients to ask questions and stay informed throughout every stage of care.
Currently, we have two locations that offer a variety of services to our patients. We have offices located in Wayzata and Edina, Minnesota, with doctors Timothy Haupert and Victoria Whitman.