What to Expect After LASIK Eye Surgery
A few days after your procedure, you are likely to experience some degree of discomfort. During this time, your vision may be blurry and/or may fluctuate between seeing clear and blurry. In some cases, a patient’s vision improves immediately after the procedure, but later becomes blurry. These conditions affect patients differently. The final outcomes of PRK and LASIK are very similar; the difference is the healing time.
- Wear the sunglasses provided. Most sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. Follow the eye drop regimen recommended by your surgeon.
- Please read the activity schedule below.
- Attend your required post-operative examinations.
Please remember that your follow-up care is as important as the actual procedure. You should see your doctor to check your progress at regular intervals after your procedure.
- 1 day (must be done at CLEARLY LASIK)
- 1 week
- 1 to 3 months (as advised by your optometrist)
Activity Schedule:
Recommended activity schedule following your procedure:
Immediately after procedure:
- The day of the procedure should be a day of rest.
- Always avoid rubbing eyes.
- No computer work, TV, or reading. Avoid staring without lubricating the eyes.
- Avoid soap and water in the eyes.
24 hours:
- Restrict movement to minimal activities.
- Flying in air planes is acceptable, but keep eyes generously lubricated (every 30 minutes).
- No eye makeup.
- Continue avoiding soap and water in the eyes.
7-14 days:
- Still avoid swimming, eye makeup, and touching the eyes.
- Resume medium activities with caution.
- Shallow swimming may resume after 14 days.
1 month:
- Scuba diving, snorkeling, etc.
- Biking, skiing, golfing, etc.
- Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, etc.
3 months:
Proceed with caution as these activities have a high risk of water being forced into the eyes:
- Water skiing, kayaking, surfing, etc…
Always use eye protection when dangers of flying particulates may exist, i.e., dusty work environments or yard work.
More About the LASIK Process
- Before LASIK
- The Day of LASIK
- After LASIK