Getting LASIK can be an amazing, life-changing experience. If you’ve lived most of your life having to rely on contacts or glasses, LASIK is a dream come true.
Most patients end up with 20/20 vision or better after LASIK. That means that they no longer need glasses or contacts to see!
But no surgery is without risk, including LASIK. It’s very safe and effective, but complications can occur. The good news is, you can reduce your risk of them by being careful during your recovery.
Keep reading for 5 recommendations to follow during your LASIK recovery!
1. Wear Proper Eye Protection
After LASIK surgery, your doctor will give you eye shields to wear over your eyes. These only need to be worn in the hours following surgery and at night.
They prevent your eyes from rubbing up against your pillow and irritating them. Be sure to wear these eye shields as long as your doctor tells you to. This is usually for about two weeks following your procedure.
When you’re not wearing your eye shields during the day, be sure to wear sunglasses whenever you go outside. Your eyes will be more sensitive than normal for a while, so keeping them protected from UV rays is even more important.
2. Keep Your Eyes Clean
Obviously, you don’t want to get any kind of debris in your eyes while they’re healing. But this means more than making sure you don’t get dirt in your eyes.
You should avoid getting anything near your eyes, including water. Did you know that water is the perfect place for bacteria to breed?
Running water can also flush dirt from your face into your eye, so be careful when showering. Either stick to baths for a while or keep the shower head pointed below your face.
You also shouldn’t wear eye makeup for a few weeks, or use any kind of lotion or skincare product near your eyes. And most importantly, never rub your eyes!
3. Avoid Pools and Hot Tubs
Chlorine is a dangerous chemical at the best of times. When you’re healing from eye surgery, it’s even more dangerous.
Your eyes need moisture to heal and chlorinated water will dry them out fast. Stay away from pools, hot tubs, and any kind of chlorinated water. Don’t go in, even if you keep your head above water.
4. Don’t Play Contact Sports
You should be able to get back to most regular activities within a couple of days after LASIK. But when it comes to contact sports, you should avoid these for at least a month.
Any kind of blow to the face risks injuring your vulnerable eyes. Light exercise is safe, as long as you stick to solo activities.
5. Use Medication as Directed
After surgery, your doctor will prescribe you medicated eye drops. These are usually antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications meant to prevent infection.
Be sure to take the dose your doctor tells you to and that you take the full course of what they prescribe. Even if your eyes feel fine after a while, never stop taking medication unless directed by a doctor.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations about over-the-counter drugs. This includes painkillers and artificial tears.
Mild painkillers like acetaminophen and preservative-free artificial tears are usually safe. Ask your doctor to be sure before you take anything besides what you’ve been prescribed.
Ready to make your dreams of visual freedom a reality? Schedule your LASIK consultation at New England Eye Center in Boston, MA now!
