LASIK Surgery Recovery
LASIK eye surgery is an extremely safe vision correction procedure.
Visual recovery for LASIK surgery begins immediately after surgery, so you can quickly get back to doing what you love.
The morning following surgery, patients typically wake up to sharp, clear eyesight.
Following a LASIK procedure, patients go home with no patches or eye coverage, with medical and lubricating eye drops being started on the day of the surgery.
Dr. Besser or a member of his staff will call patients later in the day after their LASIK procedure, to check-in and make sure the patient is doing well.
For all LASIK surgery patients, Dr. Besser recommends follow-up visits to check the recovery process and healing at 24 hours, one week, and one month after surgery.
What To Expect Immediately After LASIK Eye Surgery
On the day following LASIK, most patients’ vision is clear and normal, and they can drive themselves to their next appointment. They can usually resume normal activities, but should avoid strenuous activity, and no swimming or submerging the eyes for 2 weeks.
Common side effects
Immediately after LASIK surgery, some patients may experience grainy vision, mild irritation, or a foreign body sensation. Recovery from these side effects should happen quickly, with discomfort ending in about 2 to 4 hours. Most people want to go home and take a nap.
Another common side effect some patients might experience is redness, and dark spots on the whites of the eyes. These are totally normal, and can take a few days to a few weeks following surgery to disappear completely.
During the first month after LASIK, vision can fluctuate, and this is considered normal.
Changes to watch for
Most patients won't have any issues, but we want to ensure you have the best results possible. If you're experiencing any changes that concern you, we want to hear about it and address it promptly.
If you have significant changes in your vision, redness, pain or light sensitivity, it is important to contact Dr. Besser immediately.
What To Avoid After LASIK Surgery
For most patients, LASIK surgery recovery takes a few days, with most feeling great the next day. However, it is important to remember that your eyes will continue to heal for several weeks after LASIK.
To speed up the healing process of the cornea, and make the transition to perfect vision as comfortable as possible, follow these guidelines:
→ Avoid high impact activities for at least 21 days after surgery, or even longer if your eye specialist recommends so.
→ Avoid swimming, saunas or submerging the eyes - usually two weeks, but for as long as recommended by your LASIK surgeon
→ Avoid dust, smoke, and don’t wear eye make-up for a minimum of 48 hours after surgery
→ Avoid getting soap or any other cleaning solutions in the eyes
→ Attend all check-ups with your eye doctor
If you’re ready to take the next step in eye care, find out if you’re a good candidate for LASIK surgery by calling Dr. Besser’s office, or book an eye examination online.