Wearing glasses can get in the way of your day-to-day life, and contact lenses can not only be an inconvenience, but can also put your eye health at risk. Laser eye surgery is a quick and straightforward procedure that transforms lives. The treatment can correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism, allowing you to experience life with visual freedom by removing the need for glasses and contact lenses.
During the recovery period, it is vital that you look after your eyes properly and follow the clinical guidance provided to you. If you are considering treatment or have an appointment booked for laser eye surgery, be sure to continue reading.
What happens after laser eye surgery?
One of the great things about laser eye surgery is how minimal the recovery time is for most patients, allowing them to get back to their everyday lives with visual freedom. Each patient's recovery journey will vary depending on the type of procedure they have had and their bodies natural healing time.
Patients can do several easy things during the recovery process that helps them get back to their day-to-day life in no time, from avoiding touching their eyes to taking the time to rest, especially within the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
What to expect after a LASIK laser eye surgery
LASIK laser eye surgery offers a short recovery time frame and is our most popular type of treatment. Patients typically see 80 – 90% of the healing process happening within the first day, and the remaining part of the visual recovery depends on their prescription.
Within the first 24 hours the anaesthetic drops given before surgery will wear off, and while vision will have begun to improve it is likely to be a bit blurry at first and your eyes may feel slightly gritty. You will be provided with lubricating eye drops on the day of your surgery which can help ease these symptoms if needed. These symptoms are expected and will gradually reduce with time.
What to expect after a LASEK laser eye surgery procedure
The initial recovery process for LASEK laser eye surgery can take slightly longer than LASIK and can be up to three to four days longer. This is why we ask that patients do get as much rest as they can, use the eye drops prescribed by their surgeon and do not return to work for at least 4 to 7 days.
Here are some things you can do and should avoid doing during the healing period after laser eye surgery:
DO: Take time to rest
After LASIK laser eye surgery, most patients can return to work within 24 hours and drive within this same time frame. It is essential to follow any advice provided by your clinician, as these instructions apply to your clinical eye care and recovery process. During the first 24 hours, you are advised to stay home and rest. Patients can typically watch TV within the first 6 hours of having surgery.
DO: Avoid tap water and soap getting in your eyes
You may shower after your surgery, making sure to prevent any water or soap from getting in your eyes, especially within the first week after treatment. If you require eye drops, make sure to wash and dry your hands thoroughly, avoiding any tap water from making contact with your eyes. Doing this will reduce the risk of infection.
DO: Wait before starting back activities
Patients choose laser eye surgery to enhance their quality of life, and after surgery, they are keen to get back to their favourite activities and see the world through their glasses and contact lens-free eyes. You must follow the guidelines and return to your hobbies or activities within the appropriate time frame. For example, it is advised that patients wait one week to return to the gym and two weeks to attend aerobic exercise classes or go for a swim.
DO: Avoid rubbing your eyes
It is not unusual to have puffy eyes after your surgery, but you should refrain from rubbing your eyes during the healing process. Instead use the eye drops provided to help you gain a little more comfort during this time.
Comprehensive aftercare at Optical Express
At Optical Express your patient journey doesn’t stop once you’ve had treatment. We believe that the aftercare provided following laser eye surgery is just as important as the procedure itself. That is why we offer a comprehensive aftercare programme to all of our patients to continuously check and monitor the health of your eyes following your treatment. This is our way of ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care on their journey to visual freedom.
Life-changing results after laser eye surgery
The vast majority of our patients are amazed at how quickly they recover from laser eye surgery and the speed in which they can return to normal every day activities free from their glasses and contact lenses. We receive lots of feedback from our patients but the most common thing that they tell us is how much they wish they had treatment sooner!
During your free consultation, your optometrist will discuss everything you need to know about the laser eye surgery procedure and answer any further questions that you may have so that you can make an informed decision. Do you finally want to enjoy visual freedom? Then book your free no-obligation consultation today.
Book a Free Consultation