Do you want to stop relying on glasses or contact lenses? If you’re a good candidate for a vision correction procedure called LASIK, you may be able to achieve just that.
After all, LASIK is the most popular vision correction procedure you can undergo, and for a good reason. Most patients that have LASIK end up with 20/20 vision or better.
LASIK is one of the best places to start if you want to achieve visual freedom. If you’ve ever dreamed of crystal-clear vision without needing glasses or contacts that require maintenance, you may have already considered having LASIK.
But some people get nervous about surgical procedures, especially those that involve their eyes, which is entirely understandable. Besides the procedure making you anxious, you may also want more information about the recovery after LASIK to understand what to expect.
Not only is the LASIK procedure quick to undergo, but the same is true of its recovery. The initial recovery after LASIK is not painful and will allow you to get back to the things you love with improved vision.
If you follow the instructions from your ophthalmologist at See Clearly Vision, you can have a safe and effective recovery. You’ll need to abstain from some activities to ensure your eyes have plenty of time to heal, giving you the results you want.
Keep reading for more information about what recovery after LASIK is like and why it’s worth it for the vision of your dreams!
What to Expect with LASIK
LASIK is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll go home the same day after it’s over. During the vision correction procedure, you’ll have both eyes treated. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and thanks to numbing eye drops, you won’t feel any pain.
Most people with refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are good LASIK candidates. However, not everyone will qualify as a LASIK candidate.
The only way to know if you’re a LASIK candidate is to schedule a LASIK consultation at See Clearly Vision. Some of the candidacy factors include: being at least 18 years old, having a stable prescription, being healthy, and having a prescription within the treatment limits of what LASIK can treat.
These are only some of the candidacy factors. Many LASIK patients begin experiencing almost immediate vision improvement after the procedure.
You’ll continue to see improvements in the days and weeks after LASIK. The total recovery from LASIK takes around 3-6 months, which is when you’ll reach your peak vision.
However, you can continue going about your everyday life before reaching your peak vision. Any initial discomfort, like dry eyes, should dissipate as your eyes continue healing.
The Day of Your LASIK Procedure
On the day of your LASIK procedure at See Clearly Vision, you’ll want to have a trusted friend or family member that can drive you home. Once you get home, your eyes may feel dry or more sensitive as the numbing eye drops wear off. Think about preparing a meal ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about cooking for a day.
Before having LASIK, you’ll receive prescriptions for antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Make sure you can get these filled before your procedure so you can start taking them immediately, as directed by your eye doctor.
It’s normal to feel tired after getting home on the day of your LASIK procedure. One of the best things you can do to start your recovery off strong is to take a nap to rest your eyes.
Your ophthalmologist may give you eye shields to protect your eyes from rubbing against your pillow or covers while sleeping. It’s essential to wear these for as long as they tell you.
If your eyes feel dry, scratchy, or cause you discomfort, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to feel more comfortable. You should receive a list of approved non-prescription medications you can take in your booklet of instructions from us. Even if your eyes feel sensitive, you may have already started noticing improvements in your vision.
The Day After Having LASIK
The day after your LASIK procedure, you should start noticing visual improvements. You should also experience less discomfort.
You can continue taking painkillers to help with any remaining discomfort. Most patients find that they can return to work the day after LASIK.
Every patient is different, so do what feels best for you. Regardless, keep taking your anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops and attend any scheduled follow-up appointments, which usually begin the day after your procedure.
The Week after Your LASIK Procedure
In the week after having LASIK, your eyes should feel much more comfortable. Much of the initial dryness should have gone away, leaving you with crisp, clear vision.
Remember that you must take a few precautions to protect your eyes. You will not be able to wear eye makeup for the next week and make sure to throw out any you had from before the procedure.
Mascaras, eyeliner, and eyeshadow could harbor bacteria that could cause an infection in your still-healing eyes. Avoid getting anything in your eyes, including water.
Be extremely careful whenever washing your face or taking a shower to not get any water directly in your eyes, as tap water can harbor bacteria. You’ll also need to avoid all bodies of water, including pools, hot tubs, lakes, and rivers, for at least two weeks.
After two weeks, you should be able to return to most everyday activities. The only things you may have to avoid for a little longer are strenuous activities and contact sports.
Your eye doctor can tell you specifics about what you should and shouldn’t do, so make sure to attend all your scheduled follow-up appointments.
Your vision will only improve in the days and weeks following LASIK.
With an easy procedure and recovery, there’s no reason to hesitate regarding LASIK. Schedule your LASIK consultation at See Clearly Vision in McLean and Arlington, VA, today to take the first step towards total visual freedom!
