If you are considering LASIK surgery, you may have questions or concerns about what life will be like after you have completed the procedure. At Piedmont Eye Center, we want our patients to feel confident in their decision to get LASIK surgery. Read on for answers to frequently asked questions and to better understand how to care for your eyes post-surgery.
Is it painful?
Overall, most people only feel a slight discomfort as they recover from surgery. If needed, patients are able to take an over-the-counter analgesic, but it is not typically necessary. The good news for LASIK patients is that the eye is the fastest healing part of your body! Rest is important the day after LASIK surgery to ensure that your eyes heal properly so be sure to take breaks from overworking your eyes.
When will I see results?
The answer to this question varies from patient to patient. Although improvement is significant as early as the first day, it takes one to two months for vision to fully stabilize. As eyes heal, vision may fluctuate between crisp and slightly hazy. Do not panic, this is a normal occurrence, and will stabilize over time.
After my surgery, it was like night and day. I could see clearly immediately. By the second day, I had no irritation and I have been seeing clearly ever since! Over the next 3 months my sight seemed to not only clear, but the night shadows also cleared up. From the great staff who helped me, to the simplicity of setting up my flexible spending account, to my complete satisfaction and enjoyment of having clear sight, this has been an easy process. -Penny Abbott, Piedmont LASIK patient
Take Care of Yourself
There are many things you can do in the days and months following your surgery to make recovery easier.
- Refrain from strenuous activities. It’s usually recommended to take it easy the week following your surgery so as not to strain or potentially injure your eyes. Overuse can aggravate dryness which has a negative impact on your eye’s ability to heal. Also make sure not to rub your eyes during the first few weeks of healing to protect the cornea as it heals.
- Protect your eyes. Even after you do fully recover from the LASIK procedure, you’ll want to make sure you always protect your eyes with proper sunglasses, as well as safety and sport glasses. We advise this for anyone but especially for our LASIK patients.
- Schedule checkups. Regular appointments with your surgeon are crucial to recovering properly. Be sure to follow the schedule they set for post-op appointments.
How long will the changes last?
Since LASIK surgery has such a short recovery time, many patients are concerned that the effects will wear off quickly. For the most part, vision changes are permanent. As long as the eye remains healthy significant changes over time are minimal.. For patients that do change it is possible, many times, to provide a touch-up (LASIK enhancement) to restore the vision back to its full potential. Other unrelated conditions can also develop over time, such as cataracts, macular degeneration or diabetes that can cause future vision changes. These changes can often be attributed to health and aging and are not related to having had LASIK.
Still have questions about LASIK? Download our eBook to get the answers to even more questions. If you’re ready to take the next step, book an appointment with our team!