What to Expect after LASIK By Gordon Wong, OD on April 01, 2013

The top priority of our San Diego optometrist is to ensure the health and safety of each individual patient’s eyes. Through LASIK and other vision correction surgeries, we can effectively treat the refractive errors hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. In fact, LASIK has safely helped millions of men and women achieve perfect vision without having to rely on contact lenses or eyeglasses. For many patients, the LASIK recovery process is relatively easy. To help make the recovery process as easy as possible, we have compiled a short list of LASIK recovery tips for patients of our La Jolla laser eye surgery center, GW Eye Associates Inc.

What to Expect Immediately Following Surgery

Many of our San Diego LASIK recovery patients experience the same symptoms immediately after the procedure, including:

Watery eyes
Fluctuating vision
Blurry vision
The feeling of something in the eyes
Itchy eyes

LASIK Recovery Tips

The corneal flap needs time to heal properly. During the early stages of the LASIK recovery process, the eyes are vulnerable to infection and injury. It is crucial that patients carefully follow all post-operative instructions to allow the eyes to heal properly. Fortunately, most patients who undergo LASIK experience a relatively easy, painless, and quick recovery process.

Resting your eyes: Typically, we recommend that patients refrain from engaging in activities that will cause eye strain for at least the first day after the LASIK surgery. These activities include watching television and using the computer. The easiest way to achieve this is to go home and take a nap.
Not touching the eyes: It can be quite difficult for patients to refrain from rubbing their eyes after undergoing LASIK surgery. Following surgery, it is common for patients to experience a strong urge to rub their eyes. Rubbing or touching your eyes could affect the results of the LASIK procedure. It may also increase a patient’s risk for infection. We strongly advise patients to refrain from touching or rubbing their eyes for at least one week after the procedure.
Protecting the eyes: To prevent patients from rubbing their eyes, protective eye shields may be worn while sleeping. Because patients may experience sensitivity to light during the first week after the LASIK procedure, sunglasses may be worn when going outside or when the eyes are exposed to bright light.
Avoiding danger: Patients should be careful to avoid activities that may aggravate the eyes, that may dislodge the corneal flap, that may delay healing, or that may increase the risk of infection.
Using prescribed eye drops: Patients should use the prescription eye drops as instructed. The purpose of the eye drops is to improve comfort after surgery, reduce the risk of infection, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Not using eye products: Patients should avoid using lotions, creams, cleansers, make-up, and other eye products for the first couple of weeks after undergoing the LASIK procedure.
Bathing and showering: Patients are to avoid getting water or soap in the eyes for the first few days after the LASIK procedure. The easiest way to avoid water in the eyes is by taking a bath instead of a shower.
Not smoking: Smoking is known to slow the healing process. To help the corneal flap heal properly, patients must refrain from smoking during the entire LASIK recovery process.