LASIK surgery is one of the most popular forms of vision correction. Recovery from LASIK can vary from person to person, however most people see 20/20 the next morning after their LASIK procedure. Although the patient’s vision is usually very good, that does not mean that healing is complete. It is common for healing to go on for weeks to months after the procedure. During this healing period, most patients can go about their usual work and recreational activities. After a LASIK procedure there is customarily 3-4 follow-up visits over the first year. Immediately after LASIK surgery, patients should expect to experience discomfort, tearing and blurry vision. Additionally, there will be some restrictions on the patient’s activities for a period of time after the procedure. Understanding the recovery process will help a patient avoid making mistakes which can be detrimental to the recovery process or otherwise put the patient and their vision at risk.
Post-Operative Care
After surgery, you should lie down, relax and close your eyes. Watching television, reading or operating a computer should be avoided for the first 24 hours. The surgery recovery process requires your eyes to remain relaxed. To help with any pain or discomfort, medications may be prescribed following treatment; alternatively, you may be able to use over-the-counter pain medications to help alleviate irritation.
Do not rub your eyes. Some patients report a mild burning sensation two to four hours into recovery as the anesthetic wears off. The sensation resembles wearing an itchy or dirty contact lens.
To Ensure a Quick Healing Process:
- Wear sunglasses after surgery, rain or shine.
- Take baths instead of showers for the first 24 hours after surgery and be careful not to allow the shower to spray directly into your face for the first week.
- Use a face cloth and be careful not to rub your eyes.
- Avoid eye makeup and smoky or dusty environments for a week.
- Avoid alcohol consumption for 48 hours after surgery.
Your surgeon or ophthalmologist will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your results and potential problems such as epithelial growth. Contact your physician immediately if you experience any complications.
It’s important that you follow your doctor’s advice and instructions on protecting your eyes after LASIK – even though your eyes may feel fine the first couple days after surgery.
Long-Term Healing
If a patient experiences any side effects from LASIK (such as dry eyes or halos at night) for several weeks after surgery as the eyes are healing, those symptoms usually go away once healing is complete. During this time period, patients will have several check-ups with their LASIK surgeon to ensure that the recovery is proceeding smoothly.
If you are considering LASIK in San Clemente, contact your local LASIK experts at Harvard Eye Associates. They offer a free LASIK Consultation to help you learn more about this amazing procedure and learn about your own unique vision. LASIK might just be the right procedure for you.
