The LASIK recovery period is an incredibly important stage in your journey toward greater independence from glasses and contact lenses.
LASIK recovery time is relatively short, but it is important to take specific steps to expedite healing and avoid complications.
Dr. Andrew Holzman, serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, explains what to expect after LASIK…
Many LASIK patients notice a marked improvement in their vision within about eight hours of surgery. Specifically, you may find that you can see much more clearly without glasses or contact lenses. After your LASIK eye surgery, plan to go home and rest for the remainder of the day.
You can expect some irritation and blurriness after LASIK eye surgery that will gradually subside. It is possible to safely resume driving even the day after your LASIK procedure if your vision has been tested by doctor. You can resume non-strenuous activity within a day or two of surgery, but avoid contact sports and don’t apply creams or makeup near your eyes.
Avoid swimming and saunas for at least two weeks after surgery to avoid infection, and take extreme care to avoid rubbing your eyes. Your vision might shift from time to time, but you can generally expect dramatic improvements. It may take as long as six months for your vision to completely stabilize after LASIK.
If you are reading this page, you are already displaying one of the most important characteristics of a LASIK candidate: a sincere desire to learn as much as you can about what to expect before, during, and after the laser procedure. This page is designed to give you a thorough introduction to the LASIK recovery period and the measures you will need to take in order to experience the best possible benefits. Once you have become familiar with this phase of treatment and feel like speaking with an ophthalmologist face-to-face about whether LASIK is right for you, we invite you to request a free consultation.
“The LASIK Surgeon Other Eye Doctors Trust” isn’t just a bold slogan – it’s a real distinction that Dr. Holzman has earned through decades of exceptional care. Your vision is invaluable, and it deserves the attention of a practice built by a true leader in the field. To request a private consultation with our highly trained ophthalmologist, please send us a message online or call our office nearest you.
Dr. Holzman provides bladeless LASIK. This treatment is safer and involves a shorter recovery than the traditional method. Dr. Holzman considers this to be one of the most exciting innovations in LASIK since he began performing the surgery more than 20 years ago.
The quick, dramatic improvement in the way patients see the world is one of the reasons so many people turn to LASIK. Patients with higher prescriptions may notice that their vision is significantly better almost immediately after their surgery, and patients with lower prescriptions often say that their sight improves within six to eight hours. However, because all of our patients will experience some blurriness following LASIK, arrangements should be made for a friend or family member to drive you home.
You may experience some discomfort while recovering at home, which is why we recommend that you rest your eyes to reduce irritation. After taking a nap, you may notice that your eyes feel better and your sight is even clearer. Other patients may sleep through the night and wake up the next morning excited that they can see well without their glasses.
A properly healed corneal flap is incredibly important to the success of LASIK surgery, so you must avoid rubbing your eyes for a minimum of three or four weeks, and it’s best to avoid entirely. Rubbing the eyes can also increase the likelihood of side effects such as corneal infection or subconjunctival hemorrhage, which appears as a red spot on the white of the eye. Long-term, rubbing the eyes has been shown to weaken and potentially damage the cornea.
Using artificial tears (a very specific type of eye drop, not to be confused with redness drops or the prescription eye drops our surgeon may want you to use) can help you deal with the mild discomfort that can make you want to rub your eyes.
Andrew E. Holzman, MD, FACS, is one of the most well-respected ophthalmologists in the greater Washington, DC, area. He is regularly sought out by professional athletes, media personalities, and other doctors for laser eye surgery.
Dr. Jonathan Solomon has been acknowledged by GQ Magazine in their “Men of the Year” issue, recognized nationally as one of the “Top Doctors in America” by his peers, and listed as one of Baltimore-Washington’s Super Doctors for 2013.
To schedule a consultation at one of our locations, please fill out our online form or give us a call at (855) 99-LASIK.
