LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery Tips

Now that you’ve decided to correct your vision with LASIK eye surgery, you probably want to know about the best way to recover from your procedure. Here are some recovery tips to help as you step into a new life with the clear vision you always wanted.

You will have artificial tears and prescribed antibiotics and steroid drops. The antibiotic drops are to prevent infections, and the mild steroid drops are to prevent inflammation. It is very important that you use them as instructed.

Take time to rest and relax. Many people sleep after their procedure to help heal and rest their eyes. Give yourself the time you need to recover. Rest is one of the most important things you can do to help ensure your recovery goes well. 

Things to avoid

Another important thing to keep in mind is to wear sunglasses and to protect your eyes from the sun and bright lights. Until your eyes heal, avoid bright light outdoors and indoors. Also, be sure not to exercise or play sports for a few weeks until you’re well healed, because your eyes need to be protected during the healing period from any jostling or accidental injury.

Another thing to avoid is screen time and reading. Screens can dry out the eyes and put a strain on them, and reading anything printed also strains the eyes. Do not use your phone, tablet, TV or computer for at least 24-48 hours post-surgery, and avoid reading for a period of time. Once you do start looking at screens again, use lubricating eye drops until your eyes are fully healed.

Unfortunately, showers and makeup are on the list of things to avoid. Just after surgery, water and steam from the shower aren’t good for your eyes, and makeup can irritate them. A bath is okay, but wait to take a shower until your eyes are fully healed. Wait for at least a week to wear makeup again.