Eye Care After LASIK

Most people that have the LASIK procedure - whether traditional LASIK,m iLasik, Wavefront or another type of this eye surgery - are often surprised that the surgery itself is very quick but the recovery part can take a couple of weeks on the average.

Talk to your surgeon and make sure you completely understand what you need to do after your eye surgery. This will include not only the after care procedure and ask about any steps that you need to take to protect your eyes during your usual activities. If your job or recreational time includes any activities not covered in the care sheet - ask if there is anything special you need to modify in your recovery period to ensure that your LASIK surgery heals perfectly.

One of the biggest problems doctors report among LASIK patients is that the antibiotic drops aren't used beyond a few days. If you're told to use your drops daily for one to two weeks (depending on your procedure) - do so. Many patients assume because their vision is radically improved, there is no pain and they see no signs of infection that they do not have to continue with the antibiotic eye drops however, this isn't the case. The full course of antibiotics should be taken to ensure your LASIK procedure heals perfectly.

Keep the sun out. UV rays are damaging anyway to the eyes however your newly shaped LASIK eyes should be protected from not only UV rays but also bright lights after your LASIK surgery as discomfort and a headache that can last for hours may follow exposure to direct sunlight. This isn't an issue all eye surgery patients experience but some people do have issues with bright light for a very short time after their eye surgery. If you haven't already, invest in a good pair of sunglasses that are dark as well as rated highly for UV protection.

Eye makeup can be another issue. First of all, bacteria live and breed in eye makeup and especially the darkened environment of mascara. Normally the don't have the ability to give you an eye infection however your defenses are down after LASIK during your short recovery period and you will be asked to refrain from touching your eyes as well as wearing any eye make up products as you can't remove most eye shadows or mascaras without rubbing the eyes. Combined with the threat of infection from bacteria - you'll have to wait a week or two to wear your eye makeup again - but this time you'll get to do it glasses or contacts free.

That's just a short list of issues that some people have experienced during the after care phase of LASIK. Be sure to talk to your surgeon and if you have a question, no matter how minor - ask. The more knowledgable you are about what to do and expect during your own recovery - the faster you can get back in the swing of things and enjoy life with clearer vision than you've had in years.