When making
the decision to have laser vision correction, it is important to consider the
recovery process. In this blog we will
walk you through the typical LASIK recovery period.
LASIK is a
fairly quick procedure. Most patients
are in our surgery suite for 15 minutes total for a procedure on both
eyes. Improvement in vision is often
immediate; however, the patient’s vision will be hazy for the first 24 hours.
After surgery, someone must drive the patient home. The patient is given comfort goggles to sleep
in to protect their eyes (these goggles are worn at night when the patient
sleeps for 1 week). The patient must go to sleep or keep their eyes closed for
at least 5 hours or longer following surgery.
When the patient wakes up, they are advised not to put any strain on
their eyes. Excessive television, smart
phone usage, computer activities, and reading fine print should be avoided if possible. These activities can be performed as soon as
the next day after surgery; however, the patient’s eyes may tire faster than
normal, so it is important for them to take breaks when needed. Many patients will experience redness of the
eyes along with mild burning, stinging or a scratchy sensation for a few days
after the LASIK procedure. Some patients have light sensitivity and will
require dark sunglasses for a few days or weeks following LASIK surgery. It is normal for vision to fluctuate after
surgery. The period of fluctuation varies and is usually due to dryness of the
eyes. Some patients will have more dry
eye than others and may have to use more artificial tears. Artificial tears are usually required for a
few months after surgery and how often they are used varies from patient to
patient. As far as driving is concerned,
most LASIK patients see well enough to drive and some can even return to work
the day after their procedure. If a
patient works in a dusty environment or outdoors, we may recommend that they
take some additional days off work.
After LASIK
surgery, patients are placed on a strict eye drop schedule. We prescribe an
antibiotic drop and a steroid drop that are both used 4 times per day for 1 to
2 weeks after surgery. The patient is
also instructed to use over-the-counter artificial tears 4 to 6 times per day
or more. Patients cannot rub or bump
their eyes for several weeks following surgery.
Women cannot wear eye make-up for 7 to 10 days following surgery. Patients are instructed to avoid swimming,
sauna, hot tubs, water park rides, etc., for 1 month. The patient should not perform any yardwork for
2 weeks. Exposure to chemicals or smoke getting in the eyes should be avoided
for at least 2 weeks. Light exercise can
be resumed after 48 hours. Heavy
exercise can usually be resumed after 1 week, but it is best to get clearance
from Dr. Bogart first. Contact sports
can typically be resumed after 1 month, but it is best for patients to ask Dr.
Bogart before resuming these activities.
Post-op
visits generally run as follows: 1 day,
1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and sometimes more.
During the post-op visit, your vision will be checked, medication drops
will be discussed, and Dr. Bogart will
perform a slit-lamp exam to make sure everything looks normal.
If you have
questions regarding the LASIK recovery process or if you would like to schedule
a LASIK consultation appointment, please call our office at: 803-794-0000, Option 4.
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