Congratulations, you are now on the way to complete freedom from glasses! All laser vision correction surgeries are completely safe and precise, however, here are some instructions for how to care after LASIK laser surgery.
What to expect after LASIK
Discomfort: If you know what to expect immediately after LASIK or laser surgery, you will not get anxious, and the immediate post-surgery period will be one of relaxed healing. On the day of surgery, your eyes will be a little uncomfortable, and you may feel a burning sensation, and have excessive tearing. You may feel a foreign body sensation as well, which may feel like grittiness, or a “sand particle” or “eye lash” in the eye.
Vision: You will, of course, be astonished by the clarity of vision achieved within a few hours of surgery, but you must know that your vision will fluctuate over the next few weeks. Remember that your vision will be a little hazy on day 1, and your previous glasses will not help improve it.
Light sensitivity: You may experience some glare, or haloes and starbursts. Your eyes may also be more sensitive to light.
How to Care After LASIK Laser Surgery
Your doctor will discuss the post-operative instructions with you in great detail before and after your surgery, and this list is only reaffirming the general care instructions after LASIK. Here are some general tips to follow after LASIK surgery for laser vision correction. These will help you achieve perfect vision results.
Do not rub your eyes: This is crucial to the healing of your cornea, and must take care not to rub your eyes in the first week days.
Use eye drops as prescribed: You must follow the recommended eye drop and medication schedule, exactly as instructed. Make sure you wash your hands before instilling eye drops. Also, remember to shake the eye drop bottle before use.
Use lubricating eye drops as prescribed. You may also use artificial tears more often if required.
Be regular with follow up: Make sure you do not miss your follow up appointment with your doctor. He or she will need to review the healing process, and modify your treatment accordingly.
Maintain good hand and eye hygiene to prevent infections. Your doctor will advise you to clean the surrounding eye are with either sterile lid wipes, or with sterile cotton dipped in boiled water. This is to prevent any infections after surgery.
Try to avoid straining your eyes on the day of surgery. Avoid driving or watching TV or reading for the first couple of days. Computer use also must be limited, and most doctors usually advise their patients to try and sleep after going home following the surgery.
Wear protective sunglasses: Wear sunglasses especially when outdoors, to avoid glare and to protect the eyes from dust. This will also help to prevent rubbing of eyes, and any accidental trauma. You may use an eye shield at night to prevent inadvertent rubbing or injury to the eyes during sleep.
Avoid putting water in the eye for the first few days. This means, try avoiding a shower, and shampoo. You may have a bucket bath, and wash your head after extending your neck backwards so that no water enters your eyes. You must also avoid rigorous exercise, weight lifting and extensive computer use until allowed by your doctor. Most doctors advise patients to not swim, or use eye make up for a month after surgery, but you must check with your eye surgeon for more specific instructions.
Contact your doctor in case you are in doubt: In case of any redness, watering or pain beyond day 1, discharge, decrease in vision or any increase in your symptoms, make sure you contact your doctor immediately.