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If you have booked your LASIK surgery, congratulations! You’re on your way to freedom from glasses and contacts. You’ve probably heard that the LASIK procedure itself is short and that the clinic will offer you a mild sedative if you’re feeling nervous or anxious before the procedure. But what about after the surgery? What can you expect?
Temporary Side effects
Some temporary side effects can last anywhere from days to weeks after your LASIK surgery.
- Blood-red splotches on whites of the eyes (bruising)
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty with night vision
- Light sensitivity
- Mild discomfort
- Dryness or scratchiness (symptoms of dry eye)
- Glare or halos around lights
Day of the lasik procedure
Immediately following your LASIK procedure, you’ll have to wear some fancy sunglasses for at least 24 hours. You might feel like one of the Blues Brothers, but your eyes will thank you for the protection from dust and potential finger poking/rubbing. You’ll also be prescribed a series of eye drops to help with the recovery process, administered on a given schedule.
It’s essential to arrange for someone to pick you up after the procedure, as you will not be able to drive. And try to take a nap or rest your eyes after the procedure (factoring in your eye drops’ schedule). Resting might be easier than you think if you took the mild sedative offered to you before the procedure.
You won’t be able to watch TV, read or scroll through your phone for the first 24 hours after LASIK. You should also avoid showering, but if you must bathe, avoid getting any soap or water in your eyes. And avoid rubbing or touching your eyes, but the fancy sunglasses should help discourage you.
24 hours after lasik
At this point, you will have to be seen by an optometrist for a follow-up appointment. Your appointment might be at the clinic where you had the LASIK surgery or with your own optometrist. At your appointment, the optometrist will perform a basic vision test, check in on your healing, and answer any questions or concerns you may have. Based on their assessment, you should be cleared for driving, reading, screen use, and low-maintenance activities.
Hooray! You can officially hop in that shower! But make sure to continue to avoid getting soap or water in your eyes. If you wear makeup, you’re allowed to apply facial makeup but nothing on the eyes for at least seven days.
7 days after lasik
At this point, you can resume most activities while taking proper care of your eyes. You can get back to your exercise routine if that doesn’t include deadlifting hundreds of pounds! Think light exercise like using a treadmill, stationary bike, free weights, or Pilates. You can also resume outdoor activities like rollerblading, horseback riding, golfing, tennis, baseball, swimming, and sailing.
You’re also able to wear eye makeup again if you are eager. It’s best to remove it carefully and avoid touching the eyes (gentle downward motions for eye makeup remover pads). You can also dye your hair, wax your eyebrows, and get Botox if you want to do some additional self-maintenance.
life after lasik
Beyond this point, you should notice significant improvements to your vision as it stabilizes, and the healing process concludes. Remember to avoid rubbing your eyes or applying pressure to your eyes, as these acts can negatively affect eye health. You should also remember to update your driver’s license if you have restrictions that require you to wear glasses or contacts while driving.
Overall, life after LASIK sure is sweet! And if a trustworthy optometrist like Dr. Fava has approved you for LASIK, you are well on your way to meeting the recovery milestones listed above. If you have any questions about recovery timelines, prescription medication, or the temporary side effects, don’t hesitate to reach out to your laser eye surgery center. And if you have yet to be approved for LASIK, discover the Corvue difference and book a free LASIK consultation with Dr. Fava.
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