Laser eye surgery is a great way to improve your vision and stop wearing contact lenses or glasses. But can you see after laser eye surgery?
In this guide, we’ll explain what happens during and after the surgery, how long it takes to see better, and everything you need to know to feel confident about your journey to a clearer vision.
Can You See Immediately After Laser Eye Surgery?
Yes, you should notice your vision getting better right after the surgery. Yet, how clear it gets can be different for each person. You might see a big improvement within the first 24 hours, but it can take a few days or weeks for your vision to be completely clear.
Your vision might be a little blurry in the first few hours after surgery. This happens because your eyes are healing. But don’t worry; your vision will improve as your eyes heal. Be sure to follow your eye doctor’s advice to help your eyes heal in the best way.
What Happens During Laser Refractive Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a fast and simple process. Let’s take a closer look at what will happen during the surgery:
Before Surgery
Your eye doctor will start by checking your eyes to make sure you’re a good candidate for the procedure. They will do a full eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy and safe for the surgery. This exam helps them understand your vision and any conditions affecting the surgery.
Numbing Drops
Once you’re ready for surgery, your eye surgeon will put numbing drops in your eyes. These drops help you feel comfortable and minimise pain. You’ll stay awake throughout the surgery, but it won’t be scary.
Making A Small Flap
In the LASIK procedure, your eye doctor uses a laser to create a small, thin flap in your cornea. The cornea is the clear part of your eye that helps focus light. This flap is gently lifted so the laser can reshape the cornea.
Shaping The Cornea
The laser works by removing tiny bits of tissue from the cornea. This helps to correct refractive errors like short-sightedness or long-sightedness. By reshaping the cornea, the laser helps light focus better on the back of your eye, improving your vision.
Putting The Flap Back
After reshaping the cornea, the doctor carefully puts the flap back into its original position. The flap naturally heals without needing stitches, and your eye will start to heal on its own.
After Surgery
Once the surgery is over, your eye doctor may put a soft contact lens on your eyes as a protective bandage to shield them as they heal.
You will also be given particular eye drops to help with healing and prevent infection. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to take care of your eyes so they heal properly.
The whole process is quick and designed to be as comfortable as possible, helping you get closer to a better vision!
What Happens After Laser Eye Surgery?
After your laser eye surgery, knowing what to expect during your recovery is important. The healing process can be different for everyone, but you should find it straightforward. Here’s what happens after the surgery:
Immediate Post-Surgery Care
You can go home the same day after your surgery. However, you will need someone to drive you because your vision might be blurry for a few hours.
Feeling some light sensitivity or mild discomfort is normal, but don’t worry—these feelings usually go away quickly.
The First Week Of Recovery
The first week after surgery is a key time for healing. Many people can return to their normal activities within a few days.
Yet, it’s best to avoid specific activities until your eye doctor gives you the green light. Your vision might change a little during the first week, but you should see improvements each day.
Follow-Up Appointments
After surgery, you’ll need to visit your eye doctor for check-ups. These appointments are important to make sure your eyes are healing well.
During these visits, your eye doctor will check your vision and answer any questions you have.
How Long Does It Take To Fully Recover?
Everyone heals at different rates, but generally, eyes should heal within a few weeks. Your vision should improve during this time. Remember, it’s normal for your vision to change a bit during the first days of recovery as your eyes adjust to the surgery.
Sometimes, it can take up to three to six months for your vision to fully settle and become stable. You might experience some dry eyes or blurry vision now and then, but these symptoms should go away as your eyes continue to heal. Just be patient, and you’ll see steady improvements.
What Affects Vision After Laser Eye Surgery?
You should see great results after laser eye surgery, but some things can affect how fast you can see well. Here are a few factors that the results of laser eye surgery depend on:
- Type Of Refractive Error: Your vision problem before surgery plays a role in how well you can see after it. If you have a high level of short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism, it might take a little longer to see well.
- Age: Your age can affect how fast your eyes heal. Younger people usually heal faster and may see improvements in their vision sooner than older patients.
- Post-Surgery Care: How well you follow your eye doctor’s instructions can make a big difference in your recovery. It’s important to use the eye drops your doctor gives you and not rub your eyes. Doing these things will help your eyes heal more quickly.
Common Side Effects After Laser Vision Correction
Laser eye surgery is comfortable, but some people may feel a few side effects as their eyes heal. Here are some common things you might experience:
- Dry Eyes: It’s normal for your eyes to feel dry and scratchy for the first few weeks after surgery. You can use special eye drops to help your eyes feel better.
- Light Sensitivity: Your eyes might feel more sensitive to light, especially in the first few days or weeks. This usually goes away as your eyes heal.
- Blurred Vision: It’s normal for your vision to be a little blurry in the first few days. As your eyes adjust, your vision will get clearer.
- Halos And Glare: You might see halos or glare around lights, especially at night. This usually gets better with time.
Can You Return To Normal Activities After Laser Eye Surgery?
After laser eye surgery, you can get back to your usual activities, but it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice.
- First Week: Avoid doing hard exercises or anything that could make you sweat or get something in your eyes. This helps your eyes heal well.
- First Month: Don’t play contact sports for the first month, and be careful with eye makeup to protect your eyes from infection.
- Long-Term: After some time, you can return to all your normal activities, like driving, reading, and working on the computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the laser eye surgery procedure take?
The surgery usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes for each eye. You’ll spend about 1 hour at the clinic for checks before and after the surgery.
Will eye laser surgery fix all my vision problems?
Laser eye surgery can help with common vision problems, such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. However, it may not fix all vision problems. Your doctor will check if it’s right for you.
Can laser eye surgery be done on both eyes at the same time?
Yes, you can get both eyes treated in the same surgery. Your doctor will decide what is best for you.
Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid after laser eye surgery?
There are no specific food rules after surgery. Just stay hydrated and eat healthy foods to help your eyes heal.
Conclusion
Laser eye surgery can help you see better without having to wear glasses or contact lenses. You should see improvements in your vision in the first few days to weeks. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and go to your follow-up appointments to get the best possible results.
Remember, each person’s results can be different. Before the surgery, talk to an eye doctor about your needs and what you can expect.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery in Melbourne or have more questions, you’re in the right place! Contact Dr Anton Van Heerden today at (03) 9000 0389 to get the answers you need. He can guide you through the process and help you decide if laser eye surgery suits you.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Sources:
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Meštrović T 2023. LASIK Complications. News-Medical. Available at: https://www.news-medical.net/health/LASIK-Complications.aspx [Accessed January 28, 2025]
Porter D 2024. When to Resume Exercise After an Eye Surgery or Injury. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/resume-exercise-sports-after-eye-surgery-injury [Accessed January 28, 2025]
Rowden A 2024. What to Know About LASIK Recovery and Side Effects. Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-to-know-about-lasik-recovery-and-its-effects [Accessed January 28, 2025]
Zimlich R 2022. Laser Eye Surgery: What You Should Know. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/laser-eye-surgery [Accessed January 28, 2025]
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