Are you planning to get LASIK to improve your eyesight and reduce your reliance on visual aids? LASIK is an excellent vision correction option for many patients, but you may have questions about the procedure, including the recovery process.
Planning ahead can ensure your recovery is as easy as possible and help you avoid complications. Keep reading to learn more about tips for a smooth and comfortable LASIK recovery.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a vision correction procedure that uses specialized lasers to reshape the cornea. This can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
When the cornea is misshapen, it doesn’t bend light properly onto the retina, resulting in blurry vision. LASIK corrects this by reshaping the cornea so light can refract off the retina at the optimal angle for clear vision.
What Happens During LASIK?
Before the procedure, your LASIK surgeon at Stahl Eyecare Experts will apply numbing drops to your eyes. Then, they will create a tiny flap in your cornea using a femtosecond laser.
They will then lift the flap and use an excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. Your LASIK surgeon will place the flap back over your eye to act as a natural bandage while it heals.
After the short 30-minute procedure, you can have a friend or loved one drive you home to begin recovery.
How to Enjoy a Smoother LASIK Recovery
By following these simple tips, you can help your LASIK recovery go by more comfortably and ensure you get to enjoy your new, crystal-clear vision as soon as possible:
Follow Your Eye Doctor’s Instructions
Following the detailed aftercare instructions you receive from your LASIK surgeon is crucial to a safe and healthy recovery. After the procedure, they will send you home with prescription eye drops that reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
Apply them as often as directed to protect your eyes while you heal. Also, be sure to follow any practices they recommend, such as avoiding getting water in your eyes and wearing sunglasses when you go outside.
Go to Follow-Up Visits
Another important way to ensure a smooth recovery from LASIK is to attend all your follow-up appointments. During these visits, your eye doctor will ensure you’re on track for healthy healing.
They will also tell you when it is safe to return to activities like work, driving, and playing sports.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
Rubbing or touching your eyes after LASIK increases the risk of infection. In the first week after the procedure, be extra careful not to touch your eyes even if they feel itchy.
You’ll receive a special eye shield from your LASIK surgeon to wear at night to help you avoid touching your eyes.
Get Lots of Rest
After any surgery, you want to give your body lots of time to heal. Resting is crucial to the healing process for LASIK.
Make sure you are on a good sleep schedule and get enough hours of quality relaxation.
Don’t Do Strenuous Physical Activity
In the first month after LASIK, you’ll need to avoid any contact sports. As you recover, opt for less intense forms of exercise like yoga.
Don’t Wear Makeup At First
Wearing makeup around your eyes after LASIK can increase your risk of infection. You’ll want to wait around a week before you start applying makeup again or until your eye doctor clears you to do so.
Once you’ve recovered from LASIK, you can enjoy your new, high-definition vision during all your favorite activities and do away with the hassle of glasses and contacts.
Do you want to learn more about how to have a smooth recovery from LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Stahl Eyecare Experts in Manhattan, NY, today!
