How many days to take rest after laser eye surgery?

Author: Izabella Gibson Jr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Most LASIK patients can see perfectly within 24 hours of their procedure, while some need to rest for two to five days. After LASIK, some patients may temporarily experience glare, halos, and fluctuating vision for a few weeks and, in some cases, a few months.

How long should you rest after laser eye surgery?

Resting your eyes 3 to 4 weeks after your surgery

However, it is important that you refrain completely from certain activities like swimming and using eye makeup at least for 4 weeks post your surgery. It enables you to minimize the risk of post-op infections.

How long do you need to rest your eyes after LASIK?

It is best to go home, close both eyes and rest for the remainder of the day following the LASIK procedure. Keeping your eyes closed will minimize the discomfort and speed your visual recovery. Be careful not to squeeze your eyelids tightly closed because this could cause the flap to become dislodged.

Can I use my phone after LASIK?

So, can you use your phone after LASIK? Yes, but not at all for the first four hours, and sparingly only if necessary in the first 24 hours. After that, you can use your phone in moderation, but plan to use it for short periods and take frequent breaks.

How many days of rest is required after laser treatment?

The recovery time is up to 3 to 5 days for the non-ablative lasers, and 1 to 2 weeks for the ablative lasers. You should avoid sun exposure, or use a good sunscreen, for several weeks afterwards to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Lasik Expectations - Recovery And Aftercare Days, Weeks, Months After Lasik

How many days off for LASIK?

Most patients return to work sometime the following day after LASIK. Many people plan surgery for a Thursday or Friday to take a long weekend, but this is unnecessary unless you poke your eye or rub it the first couple of days. Your surgeon will let you know if you can drive or work at your first postoperative visit.

What is the fastest way to heal after laser treatment?

For the first 2 to 3 days after your treatment:

Apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to the treated area. Hold the ice pack on the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes. Put the ice pack on the treated area every few hours, or 1 to 5 times each day. After the first 2 to 3 days, use the ice pack as needed.

Do and don'ts after eye laser?

Be sure to keep soap out of your eye when you wash your hair, and watch out for hair spray and shaving lotion. Don't rub your eyes for at least a month. Use all eye drops, including artificial tears, that are prescribed by your doctor. Don't drive until you feel comfortable.

How long after laser eye surgery can you watch TV?

It is essential to follow any advice provided by your clinician, as these instructions apply to your clinical eye care and recovery process. During the first 24 hours, you are advised to stay home and rest. Patients can typically watch TV within the first 6 hours of having surgery.

How long after LASIK can I drive?

The length of time each patient must wait to drive after LASIK surgery will vary based on the individual. However, most people are given their doctor's approval to drive as soon as the day after surgery. A post-op exam will be performed the day after surgery.

How long does LASIK take to fully heal?

Within a few hours, your vision will become a lot clearer and you can usually drive after just 24-hours. Of course, it takes a bit longer for the eye to fully heal following surgery, usually 6 months. And all during this time, you should expect your vision to continue to improve.

What is not allowed after LASIK?

Avoid driving until you are instructed to by your doctor. Avoid showering for the first 24 hours after surgery and be careful not to allow the shower to spray directly into your face for the first week. Avoid pools, hot tubs, saunas, and lakes for at least 3 weeks.

How much rest is needed after LASIK surgery?

Most LASIK patients can see perfectly within 24 hours of their procedure, while some need to rest for two to five days. After LASIK, some patients may temporarily experience glare, halos, and fluctuating vision for a few weeks and, in some cases, a few months.

How many days rest is needed after eye surgery?

take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days. use your eye shield at night for at least a week. take painkillers if you need to. bathe or shower yourself as usual.

How many days precautions after LASIK surgery?

It is best to comply with the suggested LASIK eye surgery recovery time also when it comes to physical activities: Avoid swimming, saunas and hot tubs for 4 weeks and scuba diving for 6 weeks. You can go back to all sport activities two weeks after the surgery except swimming.

What is the fastest way to recover from laser eye surgery?

If you have laser eye surgery, like LASIK, here are 10 tips so you can have the best recovery possible.
  1. Keep Your Follow-Up Appointments. ...
  2. Use Your Eye Drops as Recommended. ...
  3. Get Plenty of Rest. ...
  4. Stick to Clean Environments. ...
  5. Wear Sunglasses. ...
  6. Avoid Intense Sports. ...
  7. No Makeup. ...
  8. Be Patient.

What is the recovery time for laser eye surgery?

Your laser eye surgery recovery time will depend on a number of factors, including the type of treatment you've had. Most LASIK patients return to work within 48 hours of surgery, while for LASEK patients it may take up to seven days.

How long can I use my phone after LASIK?

The recovery period of any eye surgery is important. It is critical that eyes don't get strained or dry during this recovery period. In most cases use of digital devices is restricted for 24 hours after Lasik.

Can you ever rub your eyes again after LASIK?

Generally speaking, you should avoid it for at least one month after surgery. Even then, rubbing your eyes is a practice that's best to avoid indefinitely.

Why am I so tired after laser eye surgery?

Feeling tired after LASIK is completely normal and is often due to your body's natural healing process combined with the strain your eyes endure during recovery. This temporary fatigue is a sign that your body is working hard to repair and adjust.

How long does it take for your eyes to heal after laser?

You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine 1 to 3 days after surgery. For a few days, you may have blurry vision or watery eyes. Your eyes may be bloodshot for up to 3 weeks. This is because LASIK surgery can cause small blood vessels in your eye to break.

How bad is the pain after laser eye surgery?

Is LASIK painful after? People's post-op experiences can vary; however, mild pain, discomfort, burning, and itching are common after LASIK surgery. Make sure to follow your doctor's directions carefully to reduce the risk of pain and complications.

What foods should you avoid after laser treatment?

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, Niacin supplements, refined carbohydrates, and spicy foods for 48 hours after treatment.

What is the best age for laser resurfacing?

Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.

How can I speed up laser removal?

For the best results and to speed up the tattoo removal process, it's recommended to combine laser treatments with proper aftercare and lifestyle changes. Maintaining good skin hydration is crucial; well-hydrated skin heals faster and is more resilient, enhancing the effectiveness of each laser session.

Previous article
What tattoo ink looks best on dark skin?
Next article
Can you fix a bad fake tan?