Resting your eyes for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery
You can however continue with mild exercises like brisk walking, and once you are back home make sure to rest for a brief period to relax your body. You can gradually resume your routine activities with intermittent resting.
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.
Wear eye shield or glasses outside
You should use these for at least a week following the procedure, and your consultant will be able to advise you further. Make sure you wear your eye shield especially at night to prevent you from rubbing your eyes in your sleep.
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.
Rest, proper nutrition, and staying hydrated can all help accelerate the healing process of eye dilation. Applying a cold compress for a few minutes several times a day can also reduce swelling and promote healing.
LASIK patients can resume watching television 24 hours after refractive surgery but should still take special precautions to protect their eyes. The following tips can ensure a successful recovery: Sit at a correct distance: Sitting too close to the screen can cause headaches and eye fatigue.
Keep the shields on until the next day. We will remove them at your one day postoperative visit and ask you to wear them while sleeping the next 5 nights so that you don't accidentally bump or rub your eye while asleep.
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.
While most folks reach 20/20 vision within a few weeks or months, it might take longer for others. Your vision can even improve up to six months after LASIK!
Age Group Guidelines for Laser Surgery
For the majority of the population, the ideal age range for LASIK surgery falls between 20 and 40 years. However, there is no upper limit for lasik provided the eye is healthy and does not have any other associated conditions(as discussed further).
Rest Your Eyes
Sleeping a minimum of 6 hours will help your corneas continue to heal. If you have insomnia, or “just don't need much sleep,” you should consult with your surgeon to discuss the best way to give your eyes the rest they need during the first couple of nights after your LASIK surgery.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes
This is one of the most important tips to remember after LASIK. The first week after your procedure, you cannot touch your eyes. Your eyes may be uncomfortable post-procedure, and you might want to rub them. However, you need to resist the urge so your corneal incision can heal!
Nunnery advise patients that it is okay to bathe or shower normally the day after LASIK eye surgery. Yet, for the first week after your LASIK surgery, it's important to keep water, soap, hair care products and/or washing liquids away from the eye. Do not rub your eyes while bathing or showering after LASIK.
Understand That Outcomes Vary. LASIK isn't a one-size-fits-all miracle cure. Everyone's eyes are unique, and factors like the thickness of your cornea, the degree of your refractive error and your body's healing response can influence the outcome. It's vital to temper expectations with these individual variances.
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. Thereafter most people are advised to slowly increase the duration of computer usage over the first 2-3 weeks. This restriction applies to other screens as well.
After the first 24 hours, your eyes should be strong enough to handle a little screen time. Even after the first 24 hours following LASIK, you should take it easy when looking at electronic devices. You are still recovering, so it's a good idea to avoid spending hours scrolling social media.
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.
The frequency for using eye drops after LASIK varies from patient to patient and should be confirmed by your eye doctor. Typically, eye drops are needed approximately every 2 hours for at least 10 weeks post-LASIK. After that, you can use them at your own discretion to maintain eye lubrication and comfort.
Reduced Redness and Irritation
One of the most noticeable signs of dry eye is redness and constant irritation. As your condition begins to heal, redness and inflammation may diminish. This means your eyes feel less scratchy or inflamed.