We cannot overemphasize the beauty of undergoing LASIK eye surgery to regain your vision and be free from glasses and contact lenses. This article may not begin from a description of how the LASIK process came to be. Instead, we will consider the journey after your LASIK surgery, especially during the recovery period.
It is essential to have all the information you need about LASIK before, during, and after your eye surgery. Meanwhile, the latter part is most important because it covers what you need to do to care for your eyes after the procedure. This part can also play a significant role in ensuring that you maximize the process without suffering any relapse or unnecessary pain.
Below are the details of the involved stages in your journey of recovery. We will take it from when you first open your eyes to the next moments, days, weeks, and months after the surgery. Indeed, LASIK eye surgery can change your life as it has changed many celebrities you know.
The moment you first open your eyes
One exciting thing about the LASIK procedure is that when you open your eyes, most patients get an improved vision. Also, it feels as if you open your eyes underwater. Even if it does not appear in an instant, it is still enjoyable. The enjoyable part is because you now can see clearly without the need for glasses or lenses. Most people get the excitement as soon as they open their eyes for the first time after the surgery.
Furthermore, within the following few hours, your vision should get a lot better and more transparent. You will even be able to drive out of the hospital by yourself. No doubt, this period is the beginning of the journey to full recovery, and you will do well not to think the process is complete. The entire process of recovery from eye surgery using LASIK can take up to 6 months. However, the development and quality of vision continue to improve.
The first 24 hours of your LASIK Recovery
The journey has already started when you begin to notice the improved vision during recovery with LASIK. Never mind that it looks foggy for now as if you are underwater; it gets clearer and sharper in no time. As the vision gets more apparent, you can begin to journey back home through a ride or if you can wait for over 24 hours before driving home.
Meanwhile, the eye procedure also involves covering your eyes with shields for protection against injury. In addition, the covering shields your eyes from the light rays since they can be susceptible. Just imagine waking up from sleep and turning to bright light. That is not too palatable, or is it?
7 Stages you pass through within the first 24 hours
Take note of the following steps that occur within the first 24 hours of recovery after your surgery.
- Your discharge from the hospital comes with a doctor’s prescription involving eye drops to prevent your eyes from inflammation and infection. In addition, in case of experiencing dryness in the eyes, you can also use non-prescription eye drops to lubricate the eyes.
- The eye drops you have for keeping your eyes moist can also be held in the fridge to keep it cool. Moreover, the result of relief is much better when the liquid is excellent on the eyes. Meanwhile, when you arrive home, take about 4 hours to get a night of good sleep to enhance blood flow through the eye veins. If you can spare that 4 hours, you should feel much better because the recovery process will be much faster.
- Remember that you had anesthesia before the surgery began. Therefore, as the anesthesia wears off from your system, you may feel some level of discomfort. Moreover, some patients have reported a slight burning, itching, or a feeling of tiny sand in the eye. All these sensations only show that your eyes are healing and adjusting to the surgery aftermath. It will only last for some hours, and you will be outstanding afterward. Click here to learn about The Top Pros and Cons of Eye Surgery using LASIK.
- As time goes on, there are some other symptoms that you may begin to experience. For instance, you may experience puffy eyelids, light sensitivity (especially when sudden), tearing, seeing halos, or starbursts around lights at night. In addition, you may get red or bloodshot eyes. However, with time during the week, you should feel much better. Meanwhile, this time is right for getting some days off from work until you feel good.
- You should also wear eye shields when trying to sleep within the first week after surgery. The reason is that rubbing your eyes against the pillow or blanket may slow down your recovery process and disturb the healing of the corneal flap. In addition, you should, by all means, avoid rubbing or even touching your eyes.
- You have the clearance to shower but while doing so, ensure that soap water or any of the bathing chemicals does not get into the eyes. At least in the first week after your surgery, because they may also attract bacterial contamination.
- Finally, kindly avoid the act of straining or lifting during the first week after your surgery and while you recover.
The Day after LASIK Surgery
The very day after your surgery may require you to return for an initial post-op checkup. At your first checkup, the surgeon can also monitor your recuperation more closely and help you recover faster. At the same time, he can also compare how you are recovering with the planned schedule for recovery. It also provides an opportunity to tell the doctor of any strange feeling you may have.
In addition, the doctor may remove your eye shield if you have been using any. Moreover, the examination may also include testing your vision and tracking your improvement level over time. Ideally, you should have your next visit for a checkup after one week of the first checkup. Remember that your first visit should involve describing all your symptoms with the surgeon.
Furthermore, ask your surgeon the right questions, and he will be ready to give you all the answers you need. Asking questions also indicate that the surgeon can address any concern you have or any concerns that develop. Suppose any of the instructions are also not clear. In that case, this time is also suitable for helping you on the journey of a smooth recovery.
