LASIK eye surgery is a safe procedure that gives patients the ability to see clearer without corrective lenses. When you consult with your eye surgeon, you will be told what to expect based on your individual case. Everyone is different with varying circumstances, so expectations can vary, as well. Nonetheless, there are some common things to expect after LASIK surgery, which you should consider when making this important decision:
- There is going to be some discomfort – Almost everyone has discomfort, such as sensitivity to light, tearing, and burning. How much pain and discomfort is experienced depends on how your eyes handle the procedure and the technology used. Most of the discomfort is usually gone within four hours.
- Your eyes may get red – Some people will experience red eyes during the recovery period, which is normal. There may be dark red spots on the whites of the eyes for a few days. The spots can take weeks to disappear.
- Prescription eye drops may be needed – The eyes can become dry after surgery, so eye drops will be prescribed to relieve the dryness.
- Follow up – You will need to follow up with your LASIK surgeon after surgery to make sure everything is healing correctly. If you are having any post-op symptoms that are bringing discomfort, this is a good time to discuss those issues. You will have several appointments in the months following surgery.
- Avoid irritants – You must avoid irritants, like smoke, after surgery. You also want to make sure you don’t get shampoo or soap in your eyes.
- Don’t rub your eyes – Rubbing your eyes could dislodge the corneal flaps. Clear plastic shields can be taped over each eye to keep you from rubbing them. They typically remain in place until the next morning unless you must use eye drops. You can then wear the eye shields every night for about five nights after surgery.
- No swimming – Chlorine can irritate the eyes, so you don’t want to get in the pool or relax in the hot tub. It is recommended to wait two weeks before getting in the pool.
- Avoid eyeshadow and eyeliner – It can be difficult to stay away from the eye makeup, but it is necessary because it can irritate the eye. Applying eye makeup can also cause you to put pressure on the eye, which increases the chance of causing damage.
- Vision may be blurry – It isn’t unusual to have blurry or hazy vision for the first two weeks following surgery. The more correction you need, the longer it will take your vision to clear after LASIK surgery.
- The corneas will stabilize – The corneas have to stabilize after surgery, which means there could be fluctuation in your vision. This is normal. Also normal are halos, glares, and night blindness in the days and weeks following surgery.
Make sure you relay your experiences to your doctors. Your doctors will be able to tell you if what your are experiencing is normal, or if there is cause for concern. By making your doctors aware of what is happening, any issues can be addressed immediately.
If you are interested in LASIK eye surgery, be sure to contact Loden in Nashville for your consultation!
