If you’re scheduled for LASIK surgery, you’re probably wondering how much time will it take to recover and are there any precautions to be followed, you are on the right page. LASIK is one of the most common surgical options to permanently correct all types of refraction errors, including farsightedness and nearsightedness. After undergoing the surgery, patients benefit from significant improvements in vision. As one of the leading eye hospitals in Kolkata, our vision experts will take you through the recovery process for LASIK:
- Rest after the surgery is important: Just like many other surgeries, rest is important following LASIK surgery. It is recommended that after your surgery, you should go home and relax. It is better to take a nap. Do not remove the clear eye shield that will be placed by the eye surgeon after surgery. Wear your eye shield especially while sleeping so that you don’t accidentally rub your eyes. Though the immediate recovery period lasts six to 12 hours, it may vary from patient one patient to another.
- Touch eyes with only clean hands: Avoid exposing your eyes to dust and pollution. Whenever you have to wipe the eyes, make sure your hands are clean and use sterilised cotton only. Do not splash water into the eyes for at least 2 weeks post the surgery.
- Avoid activities that strain your eyes: Immediately after LASIK eye surgery, most patients experience blurry vision. The blurry vision typically lasts up to three to four hours. Therefore, it is recommended that you have someone to drive you home after surgery. Once you are home, avoid activities like reading or watching television that can strain your eyes.
- Burning feeling in the eyes: Most people don’t experience much pain after LASIK surgery. However, it’s completely normal for some people to experience a burning or itchy feeling in the eyes for the first few hours following the surgery. It is quite common for patients to experience vision changes throughout the day. It goes away on its own.
- Dry eyes: Some people may experience dryness in the eyes and vision changes in the first month or so following surgery. For some people, these things go away on their own while some people may need medical attention.
- Avoid certain activities: Both contact sports as well as non-contact sports should be avoided for at least the first month after surgery. The exact time frame will depend on how you’re feeling and your doctor’s advice. Swimming and hot tub use are also not recommended for the fear of contracting eye infections. You should also avoid using eye makeup, lotion or cream around the eyes.
- Make sure to follow up with your eye surgeon: After eye surgery, follow-up visits with your eye doctor are crucial. You’ll need to see your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. During this visit, the doctor will examine your eye, test your vision and may send you home with eye drops that help prevent inflammation or infection.
At Disha Eye Hospitals, our eye surgeons perform different types of refractive surgeries, including LASIK. To know whether you are the right candidate for LASIK, visit Disha Eye Hospitals or book an online consultation.