Laser eye surgery helps you see without glasses or contact lenses. It’s important to understand what happens after laser eye surgery so you can recover well.

In this guide, we’ll talk about what you can expect after laser refractive surgery and how to care for your eyes. We’ll also address what happens in the weeks and months after the procedure.

 

 

What Happens After Laser Eye Surgery

The first few hours after laser eye surgery are important for healing. Everyone is different, but you may feel mild discomfort or a sensation in the eye.

What You Might Feel Right After Surgery

After laser eye surgery, you might feel:

  • Light Sensitivity: Your eyes may be sensitive to light, especially in bright places. This should get better over time.
  • Mild Discomfort: Your eyes may feel a bit scratchy or like something is in them. This usually goes away in a few hours.
  • Watery Eyes: Your eyes might tear up a little as they adjust.

You might also get a transparent plastic shield to protect your eyes. It’s important to take it easy and avoid using your phone, computer, or watching TV too much.

Sleeping is also a good way to help your eyes heal. Remember to keep the shield on to protect your eyes while you rest.

The First Day After Laser Eye Treatment

What Happens After Laser Eye Surgery illustrationThe first day after surgery, your eyes may feel a little sore or dry. This is normal and won’t last long. Your vision might be blurry, and your eyes may feel sensitive to light. This will get better as your eyes heal.

You should use eye drops to help keep your eyes comfortable. It’s also important to rest your eyes.

Don’t look at bright screens or do things that make your eyes work hard. Don’t rub your eyes, as this could affect the healing of your corneal flap.

The First Week After Laser Eye Surgery

Your vision might still change in the first week. It may be blurry at times, but this is okay. Your eyes are healing and adjusting to the surgery.

You may also feel some dryness or mild irritation in your eyes. Keep using your eye drops to help with this.

It’s very important to rest your eyes and follow the instructions from your eye doctor. You should avoid playing contact sports, swimming, or doing heavy exercise, as these activities could slow down your healing.

The First Month After Surgery

Your vision should be much clearer by the end of the first month. You may still have some light sensitivity, but this will go away. Your eyes are still healing, but you are getting closer to full recovery.

You will have a follow-up appointment with your eye doctor to check how your eyes are healing. They will make sure your corneal flap is healing well and look for any signs of problems.

The First Few Months After Surgery

Your vision should improve steadily after the first month. You will notice your vision is stable by the second and third months. Light sensitivity should be gone, and your eyes should feel better.

You will still need to see your eye doctor for follow-up appointments. Your doctor will check that everything is healing well and that your eyes are safe.

Full Recovery Time

It takes several months for your eyes to heal. Most people will have their full visual recovery within 6 months. Your vision should be stable, and any dryness or discomfort will go away.

During this time, keep your eyes protected. Wear sunglasses outside, and avoid rubbing your eyes or using eye makeup.

Everyone heals at their own speed. That means some people may heal faster, while others may take longer.

Follow your eye doctor’s advice and be patient. Your eyes are healing, and your vision will keep getting better.

Why Still Get Laser Vision Correction

Laser eye surgery can change your life by helping you see better and enjoy life more. Here are some of the good things about it:

  • Clearer Vision: You might not need glasses or contact lenses after laser eye surgery. You might also notice that your vision is sharper and clearer after the surgery.
  • More Freedom: You won’t have to worry about cleaning or losing contact lenses, and you won’t have to deal with glasses fogging up when it rains or when you’re exercising.
  • Improved Life: Laser surgery lets you enjoy reading without glasses or contact lenses.

What To Expect During Your Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up appointments are important because they allow you to discuss laser eye surgery results. Here’s what will happen during these visits:What Happens After Laser Eye Surgery check

  1. Checking Your Healing: Your eye doctor will check how well your eyes are healing. They will look at your corneal flap to make sure there are no problems, like infection or other issues.
  2. Vision Tests: Your doctor will test how much your vision has improved. They will also check whether your eyes are dry or have other problems.
  3. Getting Advice: During your follow-up visit, don’t be afraid to ask your eye doctor any questions. They can tell you how to care for your eyes and help you if you feel unsure about anything while you heal.

When Can You Return To Normal Activities?

During recovery, it’s important to rest and follow your doctor’s instructions. Here’s when you can return to some normal activities:

  • Going Back To Work: You may return to work in a few days. But if your job involves a lot of screen time or physical activity, you may need to take a little longer to recover.
  • Exercising: For the first few weeks, avoid heavy exercise, contact sports, and swimming. Once your doctor clears you, you can resume your normal exercise routine.
  • Wearing Makeup: It’s best to wait a few weeks before wearing eye makeup again. Makeup could irritate your eyes while they are healing, so it’s best to be careful during recovery.

Understanding The Risks And How To Reduce Complications

Laser eye surgery methods are like any surgery in that they have risks. Knowing what these risks are and how to avoid complications can help you have a smooth recovery.

  • Infection: Infections can happen. Follow your doctor’s instructions on eye drops and avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands. This can help keep your eyes clean and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Dry Eyes: You may experience dry eyes after surgery. If dry eyes continue after the first few weeks, talk to your eye doctor about treatments that can help.
  • Vision Changes: After surgery, you may experience small changes in your vision. These are usually temporary. But if they last or worsen, let your doctor know so they can check your healing progress.
  • Glare Or Halos: After surgery, you may notice glare or halos around lights. This can happen during the healing process but should improve with time; if it doesn’t, speak with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I experience pain after laser eye surgery?

Feeling some mild discomfort or irritation in the first few days after surgery is normal. This is only temporary. Your eye doctor will give you eye drops to help your eyes feel better and prevent them from getting dry. Call your doctor if you feel any strong pain or have lots of discomfort.

When can I start driving again after laser eye surgery?

You should wait to drive until your vision is clear enough to feel okay. Your eye doctor will tell you when it’s okay to drive based on your healing process.

How can I protect my eyes from light sensitivity after surgery?

To help protect your eyes, wear sunglasses when you are outside, especially if the sun is bright. This can help your eyes feel better while healing and getting used to the light again.

What happens if I rub my eyes after laser eye surgery?

If you rub your eyes, it can hurt the healing of your corneal flap and cause infection or other problems. It’s very important not to rub your eyes for at least the first few weeks after surgery.

Key Takeaway

What Happens After Laser Eye Surgery visionLaser eye surgery is a great way to improve your vision and stop needing glasses or contact lenses. While the recovery takes some time, it’s exciting to see how much better your vision will be.

Following your doctor’s advice will help you enjoy life with a clearer vision. Stay patient and trust the process. You’ll soon see the benefits of this life-changing procedure!

If you want laser eye surgery or have questions, Dr Anton is here in Melbourne to help! Contact Dr Anton Van Heerden today at 03 9000 0389. He’ll ensure you get all the help you need for clear and comfortable vision.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Sources:

Landwehr J 2024. Can You Rub Your Eyes Too Much—And Is It Dangerous for Your Eye Health? Health. Available at: https://www.health.com/rubbing-eyes-too-much-dangerous-8430871 [Accessed November 18, 2024]

Meštrović T 2023. LASIK Complications. News-Medical. Available at: https://www.news-medical.net/health/LASIK-Complications.aspx [Accessed November 18, 2024]

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 November 18, 2024]

Silver N 2021. What Causes Dry Eyes After LASIK Surgery, and How to Treat Them. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-eye/dry-eyes-after-lasik [Accessed November 18, 2024]

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