Anyone who goes through Lasik eye surgery will no doubt be as keen as anything to go out into the world and see clearly without the need for glasses and contact lenses. That they will certainly be able to do, and soon, given that the recovery time from LASIK surgery can be as little as 24 hours.
However, as with any kind of surgical procedure, even one as quick and simple as Lasik eye surgery, there is still a recovery process. The more you stick to that process, and more importantly, to the guidelines given to you by your surgeon, the quicker any discomfort will pass, and the quicker you will be able to go back to your usual routine.
Here are is some advice and guidance relating to Lasik eye recovery to help make your recovery process as easy as possible.
Discomfort: You are likely to feel some discomfort after surgery, but it should be mild. This should be at worst for the first four hours or so, but after four hours it should start to diminish to the point that within 24 hours the discomfort should have completely dissipated.
Redness: Not everyone will experience redness in their eyes, but if it occurs it is nothing to be alarmed about. Normally the redness will be in the form of dark red spots in the whites of the eye, and they can last for several days.
Eye Drops: Your surgeon should prescribe you eye drops, which will help to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. They may also recommend artificial tears which will reduce irritation by lubricating the surface of your eyes.
Post-Op Appointments: As you would with any other surgery, you should attend any follow-up appointment with your laser eye surgeon. Here they can check that the cornea of your eye is healing as expected and ensure that any issues that may arise are detected as soon as possible.
Wearing Eye Shields At Night: Your eyes need to be protected during the recovery period and wearing eye shields at night can help. In particular, they can stop you automatically rubbing your eyes as you awake.
Avoid Doing These: There are a number of activities and locations you should avoid during your recovery period. These include dusty areas and location indoors or outdoors where there is smoke from a fire burning nearby . Activities such as gardening, and operating tools in a workshop are not advised given the chances of small particles of dirt, dust, or sawdust getting your eye.
No Creams or Makeup: Eye makeup is most certainly to be avoided, as indeed are any eye creams. The risk of these getting into your eye and causing an infection is high so avoid them at all costs.
No Swimming: Swimming is most certainly not advisable for a couple of weeks especially if the water in the pool is chlorinated as this can cause irritation. Swimming in the sea is also not advised as the risk of infection is increased.
Vision Problems: You might find that your vision fluctuates occasionally for a few weeks after surgery. Blurry and cloudy vision might occur, but in most cases, this will subside as your eyes heal.
And Finally: Any discomfort will usually stop after 24 hours. Thereafter, all you need do is follow the guidance from your surgeon, administer the prescribed drops, and attend your follow-up appointments