How Long Does it Take To Recover From LASIK Eye Surgery?
At LASIK Experts, we’re passionate about transforming the lives of our patients in Philadelphia and New Jersey through the power of LASIK. It’s possible to achieve clearer vision and find freedom from glasses and contact lenses with laser vision correction. But more convenience in your daily life isn’t the only benefit of LASIK.
Not only is LASIK one of the safest elective medical procedures available, but it’s also one of the quickest. The procedure itself usually takes 10 minutes, with the laser used for less than a minute per eye. But it’s not only the surgery that’s quick – the recovery is, too. This is what you can expect from the recovery time for LASIK eye surgery.
Understanding The Recovery Time For LASIK
The recovery time for LASIK doesn’t usually take more than a few days. In fact, most of our patients are back to their normal routines within 24-hours.
During the first 4-6 hours, it’s important that you rest as much as possible. Your eyes will be the most sensitive (sandy/gritty sensation) during this period. We recommend you go home and take a nap for a few hours. It’s important to avoid activities that could cause you to touch or rub your eyes or that can irritate them. It’s ideal to avoid using screens (like on a TV or phone) to avoid eye strain. Be sure to keep your eyes lubricated with the eye drops you’ll be given post-surgery.
Our team will also provide you with a recommended activity schedule to follow after your LASIK surgery. This explains what activities are okay to resume in the days and weeks following your procedure. Following these guidelines is important to ensure a smooth recovery. After your surgery, you’ll be required to have a check-up for your eyes within the first few days. After this check-up, most patients can resume normal activities (including work and gym) as long as they’re not rubbing their eyes or exposing them to sweat or stagnant water (no pool/hot tubs for 1 week).
For example, the day after your surgery you should be okay to drive short distances, take a shower (while avoiding soap in the eyes), and doing low-impact activities, like work and non-contact athletic activities. Within a few weeks, you’ll be able to do more intense or invasive activities, like contact sports and swimming. We also recommend patients not wear eye makeup for 1 week to prevent infections.
It's normal to experience temporary visual side effects following LASIK eye surgery, such as halos, glares, dry eyes, and light sensitivity. These vary from patient to patient, and some people experience little to no side effects post-LASIK. But if you do, these are to be expected and nothing to worry about. The side effects will improve within time and there are ways to manage them, such as with lubricating eye drops.
Temporary post-LASIK side effects are likely to be the most prominent in the first 24-hours. You will begin to see improvement in the days following your surgery, and we will monitor your progress during your follow-up appointment. The overall vision for most patients is functional within the first day or two. You won’t need to rely on glasses or contact lenses during your recovery time for LASIK. Instead, you can get used to life with clearer vision right away.
At LASIK Experts, we believe the post-surgery care of our patients is just as important as their experience before and after LASIK. Our team will be with you every step of the way during your recovery time for LASIK. Not only will you come for a follow-up appointment the day after your surgery, but we are on-hand to address any questions or concerns you may have during your recovery.
Book a free, no-obligation today with LASIK Experts in Philadelphia or New Jersey to learn more about the recovery time for LASIK and to determine what type of LASIK procedure is right for you.