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The First 24 Hours After Surgery

Once you’ve completed surgery, you’re one step closer to clear vision and getting NEWSOM EYES! As your anesthetic eye drops start to wear off, you will likely feel some discomfort in your eyes—this is normal after LASIK surgery. An itching or burning sensation is common at this stage, but our LASIK team will give you instructions on how to use your eye drops and pain reliever, if needed.

Soon after surgery, it will be time to go home and get plenty of rest. You should dedicate at least two to four hours of rest time after the initial surgery. During this phase of recovery, your vision may seem hazy, but within a few hours, it should progressively clear up. Be sure to keep your bottle of eye drops handy to avoid dryness. Our team will give you instructions on how much to use in order to keep your eyes lubricated.

Soon after surgery, it will be time to go home and get plenty of rest. You should dedicate at least two to four hours of rest time after the initial surgery. During this phase of recovery, your vision may seem hazy, but within a few hours, it should progressively clear up. Be sure to keep your bottle of eye drops handy to avoid dryness. Our team will give you instructions on how much to use in order to keep your eyes lubricated.

First Week After Surgery

Soon after surgery, it will be time to go home and get plenty of rest. You should dedicate at least two to four hours of rest time after the initial surgery. During this phase of recovery, your vision may seem hazy, but within a few hours, it should progressively clear up. Be sure to keep your bottle of eye drops handy to avoid dryness. Our team will give you instructions on how much to use in order to keep your eyes lubricated.

During your first checkup, our team will remove the eye shield and perform a vision test. Keep in mind that your vision may still be blurry at this point, but you will continue to see improvement as you heal. Continue to use your eye drops as directed to avoid excessive dryness and talk to your doctor about your recovery timeline to see how soon you can get back to certain activities like sports and swimming.

The First Few Months After Surgery

At this stage of recovery, your vision will be functional but may fluctuate. It can take up to six months for your vision to fully stabilize, and rare symptoms during this time may include glares, difficulty driving at night and halos. Be sure to stick to your checkup routine post-surgery, so you can discuss any irregular symptoms with your doctor.

How to Prepare Before Surgery

Preparing before surgery is just as important as preparing for post-surgery. If you decide LASIK surgery is for you, then you will need to schedule a free LASIK screening with our team to see if you are a good candidate. Here are some good pointers to help you prepare for your exam and what you should expect:

  • Switch to Glasses Before Screening: If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses full time before your evaluation. Why? Contact lenses change the shape of your cornea, which could affect surgery preparation.Give your eyes seven days without soft contacts so your cornea can assume its natural shape to avoid inaccurate measurements before surgery.
  • Be Transparent with Your Doctor: The more information you give your doctor, the better outcome you will have with LASIK. Tell your doctor about past and present medical and eye conditions, and give them a list of medications you’re currently taking or may be allergic to.
  • What to Expect During Your Exam: Your screening will determine whether you’re a good candidate for the surgery. So, be prepared to ask your doctor any questions or concerns you may have, as well as what the risks, benefits and alternatives are for surgery. While this article is a good foundation of what to expect, ask your doctor what kind of responsibilities are expected of you before, during and after surgery to avoid any confusion through the process.

As for the day before surgery, there are a few things you should note in order to enhance your experience. First, avoid using any creams, makeup, fragrances or lotions on the day of surgery as these products may increase the risk of infection, especially if you have any debris along your lash line. Second, your vision will likely be blurry after surgery. So, arrange a friend or family member to help transport you back home and assist you during the first few hours following surgery.

Ready to get started? Schedule your free LASIK screening to find out if LASIK surgery is the right fit for you, or give us a call with any questions. Your journey toward a contact and glasses free life and NEWSOM EYES starts with LASIK!

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