Are you having your LASIK soon? Do you know what to expect and what to do after the surgery for a smooth recovery?
If not, we’re here to help you with that today! The first thing you have to know about LASIK is that it’s a quick and straightforward procedure, but the final results are often pertinent to your own recovery process.
To help you with aftercare following your LASIK surgery, we’ve put together a short LASIK recovery timeline that tells you everything you can expect after the procedure.
Immediately after LASIK
In the hours after your LASIK, you might experience a slight burning or scratching sensation – these should only last for a few hours. These side effects are generally manageable and barely noticeable, depending on how your eyes react to the procedure.
The first few hours after LASIK are typically the most uncomfortable as the anaesthetic wears off. That’s why it’s strongly advised that you take a long nap as soon as you get home.
After your nap, you’ll probably wake up with significantly less discomfort and much improved vision.
Another common post-LASIK symptom is that it will feel like there’s something in your eye. Remember not to rub your eyes at all costs, as this could displace the corneal flap.
1 to 2 weeks after
You will have to go back to your surgeon for a consultation 1 to 2 days after LASIK. This is to have your eyes checked and ensure that your eyes are healing properly.
Take this opportunity to discuss with your surgeon any postoperative side effects you’re still experiencing in case you need to take additional medications.
To keep your eyes lubricated, your surgeon may instruct you to take prescription eye drops, which you have to use for a couple of weeks. This is essential to ease discomfort and make sure your corneas are healing.
Your eyes may remain sensitive to light, so make sure to lessen your screen time as much as possible to avoid further strain on the eyes.
Another thing to remember is that blurry or hazy vision may persist in the first 48 hours or more after surgery, despite having improved vision. It’s completely normal for the vision to fluctuate during the recovery period.
Other symptoms that may occur after a few weeks (sometimes after a couple of months post-LASIK) are vision glare, haloes, and difficulty seeing at night.
Up to 6 months after
It may take up to 3 months for the eyes to completely heal after LASIK. Your vision will gradually improve as the corneas continue to heal, so achieving perfect vision won’t happen in a snap.
Depending on your recovery, you may need to keep seeing your surgeon for up to 6 months or more. If you feel like your vision hasn’t stabilised or reached its peak, then you may need to continue with your consultation until then.
During these follow-up consultations, your surgeon will check how your corneas are healing and whether you continue to experience side effects from the procedure. By this point, all symptoms and discomfort should have resolved themselves.
Whatever you’re experiencing in your recovery period, even if you think it’s minor, make sure to communicate it to your surgeon. An open and honest communication between both parties is an essential part of the LASIK recovery.
You might take comfort in the fact that the success rate of LASIK currently ranges between 96% to 98%, which is the highest in its history.
If you want to know if you’re qualified for LASIK or any other type of laser eye surgery,, reach out to the specialists at Shinagawa Eye Centre for a comprehensive consultation. Call to enquire or book an appointment today!
