Life following LASIK may be temporarily uncomfortable. You may experience feelings of discomfort in the form of blurry vision, eye irritation, tearing, and light sensitivity. These feelings will resolve six hours after your laser eye surgery. To manage these symptoms, your surgeon may prescribe a pain reliever.
It is not unusual to experience dry eyes for a couple of weeks, too. Prescription eye drops may be provided to help manage dry eye symptoms, including itching and burning.
Further, you have to observe restrictions on certain activities for a period of time following the procedure. Eye doctors at Houston LASIK & Eye in Houston, Texas provide patients with both oral and written instructions on what to do and what not to do after LASIK surgery. Faithful observance of these restrictions and other post-surgery care advice provided by your surgeon will aid in your recovery process.
Things you can’t do within 24 hours of LASIK surgery
Immediately after your surgery, you will be restricted from doing certain activities. These include driving, watching television, reading, swimming, and rubbing your eyes.
When can I return to doing normal activities?
A day or two after their surgery, most patients can return to their normal everyday routine. With their vision at 20/40, they can now watch television, do mild reading, use the computer, and drive.
Many patients are able to return to work 2 to 4 days after surgery. Your ability to return to work depends on the line of your work. As long as it doesn’t require you to perform physically strenuous activities, such as operating heavy machinery, or being in a dusty environment, such as mining, you’ll be fine.
How long do I have to wait before I can drive again?
Patients are actually advised to have someone drive them home after surgery. If you have no one available, taking a cab is another option as your vision will not be clear enough yet to allow you to drive safely.
Although your vision will drastically improve within 24 hours, it is recommended that you keep from driving until you have adjusted to or feel comfortable with your new vision.
If my eyes feel itchy, can I rub them?
Your eyes will feel scratchy now and then, but it’s important not to rub them during the first six weeks of your healing period. You will actually be provided steroid eye drops to eliminate the itchy feeling. You will also be given protection eye shields to wear when you’re sleeping so you don’t accidentally rub your eyes.
What other activities are restricted?
It is important to protect your eyes from injury or trauma. Wait to do contact sports and other activities that put pressure on the eyes, such as jogging, running, and weightlifting, for a month after the surgery.
You should also wait before doing or using the following:
- Swimming, hot tubs, and whirlpools for two weeks after the procedure
- Eye makeup for one week
- Gardening
- Dusty Environments
- Smoke
You will be able to gradually reintroduce these activities as your eyes continue to heal.
Houston LASIK & Eye leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. The technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston LASIK & Eye you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/lasik-laser-eye-surgery
