Are you considering LASIK eye surgery? Millions of people around the world have had the procedure, and it’s no wonder: freedom from glasses and contacts sounds amazing.
But if you want to get the full benefits of an elective procedure like LASIK, you need to know what to expect.
If you live in Houston, you’ll be happy to know that quality LASIK surgery is available right in your backyard (figuratively speaking). At Diagnostic Eye Center, we help hundreds of LASIK patients navigate their procedure and access high-quality LASIK surgeons right here in town.
Keep reading for 8 tips for your best LASIK recovery in Houston!
1. After LASIK, Rest Your Eyes
LASIK is amazing and has a quick recovery period, but it’s still a surgical procedure. As with any surgery, it’s important to start your recovery process off strong. The best possible thing you can do after your LASIK procedure is over is to go home and sleep.
Once the numbing eye drops wear off, you may feel some slight discomfort. Resting your eyes after taking over-the-counter pain medication is the best way to combat any discomfort you may feel. Even if you can’t actually fall asleep, keeping your eyes closed and resting for two to three hours after LASIK goes a long way.
2. Take It Easy
After LASIK, you may feel incredible. Many patients experience noticeable improvements to their vision shortly after the procedure is over!
But that doesn’t mean you should go out and try to take part in strenuous activities right away. In addition to your eyes needing rest, your body also needs rest after LASIK.
For at least a day or two after LASIK, you should relax. This is not the time to start training for a marathon, watching movies for twelve hours straight, or sitting on the computer for hours on end.
Instead, you should do your best to rest your eyes and avoid the overuse of any digital devices. Avoid mindlessly scrolling through your phone or binge-watching TV.
Your vision may be blurry or hazy while your eyes get used to their new normal. If possible, take a day or two off work so you don’t have to sit in front of any screens for long periods. You should kick back, relax, and enjoy some time off!
3. Don’t Wear Any Eye Makeup For At Least A Week
The last thing anyone wants to do is go without eye makeup for a whole week, but it’s necessary after LASIK eye surgery. This is because makeup is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
After LASIK, your eyes will be more susceptible to infections, as well as complications. Putting on any makeup near your eyes will increase your risk of infection. This includes mascara, eye shadow, and eyeliner. You should also avoid any false eyelashes.
Ideally, you should refrain from wearing any eye makeup for at least a week after having LASIK. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to wear eye makeup again.
4. Take All Prescribed Eye Drops and Medications as Directed
For the best results after LASIK, you’ll be prescribed eye drops that help with inflammation and prevent infection. You will also be instructed to use preservative-free artificial tears to help with dryness. It is imperative that you use these exactly as directed!
In many cases, this may mean taking these drops several times a day or even every hour. Not taking them could lead to serious complications or a longer healing time after the procedure.
If you have LASIK and struggle with dry eye symptoms, let your doctor know. Your eye drop regimen may need to be altered to best treat your symptoms.
5. Attend All Follow-Up Appointments
There are follow-up appointments that go along with having LASIK.
Having LASIK requires a certain amount of responsibility as a patient. If you can’t attend all follow-up appointments with your eye doctor, then it’s possible that LASIK may not be right for you.
These follow-up appointments are important because they allow your doctor to watch the progress of your recovery. If you suffer a complication or your vision doesn’t seem to be improving, they can catch it early.
Most LASIK patients will have a follow-up appointment 24-48 hours after LASIK. Common intervals following this appointment are one-week post-surgery, six weeks post-surgery, and then at one-year markers following the procedure.
How often you have follow-up appointments depends on if you have any complications during the procedure that needs to be addressed.
Once you have healed after LASIK, you still need to have an annual dilated eye exam to ensure that your eyes are healthy. Just because you no longer need glasses or contact lenses doesn’t mean you can forget about going to the eye doctor!
6. Avoid Getting Any Water Directly In Your Eyes
Just like bacteria can grow on the surface of makeup, it can also breed in water. Because of this, it’s crucial that LASIK patients avoid getting any water directly in their eyes following their procedure.
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t shower while recovering from LASIK, because you can (and you should). But while showering, you should keep your eyes closed, at least for the first week or two after having LASIK.
The flap created during LASIK is healing, and getting any bacteria in your eye could lead to an infection. If you choose to get LASIK in the summer, this also means you should avoid any swimming.
This means no hot tubs, no lakes, no ponds, and no oceans if you go anywhere on vacation for at least a month after LASIK. Check with your doctor to confirm when you can resume any water activities.
7. If You Go Outside, Wear Sunglasses With UVA & UVB Protection
In a place like Houston, the sun is almost always shining. That’s a plus, but you need to make sure you’re ready to protect your eyes from the hot Houston sun after LASIK. When you go outside, you need to wear sunglasses that protect you from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Your eyes will be more sensitive after LASIK, so make sure that you always have your sunglasses with you. If it’s bright in your house, you may even want to wear them inside as well.
It’s normal to experience light sensitivity after having LASIK, and this should go away after a week or two. Even after your light sensitivity subsides, you should continue wearing sunglasses outside.
Sunglasses not only protect your eyes from the sun, but they can also protect you from dry air and particles. This is key if you find yourself dealing with any symptoms of dry eye. If you’re not sure about what sunglasses to buy, ask your eye doctor for recommendations.
At Diagnostic Eye Center, we offer the latest fashion and designs in frames and sunglasses with quality lens options in our Houston optical shop, which makes purchasing quality, safe eyewear after LASIK a breeze.
8. Don’t Rub Your Eyes
It takes some time for your cornea to heal after LASIK, and rubbing your eyes could result in the flap being moved or getting wrinkles in it.
You will receive goggles or other protective eyewear to wear immediately after your surgery. Your doctor may recommend you wear these during bedtime for the first week. This is to keep you from accidentally rubbing your eyes in your sleep.
It is important to refrain from rubbing your eyes for about a month after LASIK. Your doctor will tell you when you have fully healed and can rub your eyes again – though it’s never good to rub your eyes too much! Let your doctor know if you have dryness or itching that makes you want to rub your eyes often.
Wondering if you would be a good candidate for LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston, TX today!
If you’re tired of glasses and contacts, LASIK may be the answer you’ve been looking for!
