Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is an eye surgery that helps correct your vision by reshaping your corneal tissue. The surgery helps treat farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. Its great advantage lies in helping you get rid of your contacts or glasses. The post-surgery recovery period for LASIK is short.
Most people take between one to two days to resume their daily routines. Your final visual outcome might occur in a few months. During this period, some tips can help ease your recovery.
Sleep
You must take a long nap post LASIK surgery. Due to the nature of the procedure, you may feel like you have something foreign in your eyes. Closing your eyes for long periods, like during sleep, helps your eyes heal faster. Sleeping also helps you feel better.
Avoid Eyestrain
Avoid any strenuous activity at least 24 hours after the LASIK surgery. Any illumination from devices like TVs, computers, tablets, and the like may interrupt the healing process. Your environment also matters. Stay away from dusty, smoky, and dry areas as much as possible.
Such places have the potential to cause eye irritation and dry eye syndrome. If you feel irritation in your eyes, avoid rubbing them as much as you can. Keep this up for at least two weeks after the surgery.
Keep Your Eyes Moist
In the few weeks after the surgery, you may have incidences of dry eye. You can combat these using eye drops or liquid tears. Keep these on you at all times to remedy any attacks of dry eye. In some cases, you may experience persistent or painful dry eye. In such a case, contact your doctor immediately for medical advice. Do not splash water directly to your eyes as a remedy for dry eye.
If you are fond of eye makeup, avoid it for at least a week after LASIK surgery. Also, avoid applying any lotions or creams around your eyes. This helps reduce any unintentional injury or infection to your eyes from foreign particles.
Protective Eye Shields And Sunglasses
Most doctors recommend wearing protective eye shields when sleeping for the first four nights after LASIK surgery. They help keep you from accidentally rubbing your eyes, disrupting the corneal flap.
For the first week after surgery, wear dark sunglasses in the daytime. They help keep the UV rays from scarring your eyes. UV rays can also cause regression of your eyes after LASIK surgery. Dark sunglasses help your cornea heal by protecting them from bright light.
Keep Up Follow-Up Appointments
Your doctor may schedule several follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. Try your best to attend them all. Discuss with them any queries you may have concerning your healing. These appointments help catch any problems early. Some doctors may require you to return for a consultation 24 to 48 hours after the surgery.
Follow-up appointments can be in intervals of weeks, depending on the outcome of the surgery. Once the healing process is complete, you will still need to schedule annual eye exams. The exams help confirm that your eyes are in good health.
To know more about LASIK eye surgery, visit Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC, at any of our offices in Richmond, Lexington, Beattyville, Irvine, or McKee, Kentucky. You can call (859) 208-2020, (859) 623-6643, (859) 272-2449, (606) 464-8148, (606) 726-9321 or (606) 287-8477 today to schedule an appointment.
