What is LASIK Recovery Like?

LASIK vision correction surgery treats the refractive errors that commonly require prescription lenses to correct – farsightedness, and astigmatism. Most of us can live our day-to-day lives with such vision problems with the help of glasses or contact lenses. But take the time for a free LASIK consultation, and you may find out you are an excellent candidate for LASIK and effectively erase vision problems – in just minutes per eye! But what happens afterwards?

For most patients, the LASIK recovery period is rapid as well. In fact, most of our patients return to work and other normal activities the day after the procedure.

Going to an eye surgery will require lots of upfront research. It is best to be prepared with all the details after the surgery. Typically after LASIK surgery, patients come to normal in a very short time and in most cases the discomfort lasts a day or two. However, it is important to realize that the full LASIK recovery timeline is longer than that and will take you up to a year to fully heal. It will be really helpful to do a little research and know what you can expect after the surgery in terms of healing and recovery, this will also reduce the stress before the procedure and you will feel more prepared.

Dr. Lindahl will advise you about your LASIK recovery. Here’s what you may expect:

• Wearing sunglasses leaving the office to protect eyes from bright light, which may be irritating at first
• Wearing a protective eye shield for a few nights to prevent rubbing while you sleep
• Using lubricating eye drops frequently
• Taking antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication
• Resting at home for a few hours following your procedure, limiting reading or television watching
• Taking a bath instead of a shower for the first 24 hours after the procedure
• Avoiding rubbing your eyes
• Avoiding eye makeup for several days
• Avoiding areas that are dusty or smoky for several days
• Avoiding alcohol consumption for 48 hours after surgery
• Returning to Rochester Eye and Laser Center for a post-op appointment the day after your procedure

Plan to have someone drive you home after the procedure so your eyes can relax, but you should be able to drive yourself to your post-op appointment the following day. It is extremely important to keep this appointment to help Dr. Lindahl identify any possible complications and to ensure your LASIK procedure is successful. We will continue to monitor your progress with additional follow-ups, at 2-weeks, 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months to ensure the best outcome. 

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK, including:

• Mild, moderate or severe dry eye
• Need for glasses or contacts after surgery

Contact us to learn more about LASIK and to schedule your free LASIK consultation with our LASIK Team.

You can also take a free online LASIK Assessment and visit Is LASIK Right for Me and LASIK FAQs?