After LASIK: What to expect on day 1, week 1, month 1 and beyond
This surgical procedure has improved the eyesight of millions. Here’s what to know about recovery from it.
Many people get LASIK eye surgery, also known as laser vision correction, to see more clearly. (The surgery’s full name is laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.) During the surgery, an eye care provider uses an ultraviolet laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea, which is the clear covering on the front of the eye. Typically, people may then not have to need to use their glasses or contacts at all, for a long period of time.1,2
“Most patients get great vision with LASIK surgery,” says Eric Polk, O.D., F.A.A.O., staff optometrist at Washington University’s LASIK Surgery Center. “At our center, we keep close track of our results. We’ve found that 95% of our patients see 20/20 and 99% see well enough to drive without glasses,” he says.
LASIK can be used on people who:2
- Are farsighted (hyperopia): That’s when objects up close may appear blurry.
- Are nearsighted (myopia): That’s when objects at a distance may appear blurry.
- Have an astigmatism: That’s when near and far vision may appear blurry.
For people interested in LASIK eye surgery, it’s a good idea to contact an eye care provider first. They’ll be able to tell if it’s safe for you to get the procedure done. They can also talk about how to prepare for the surgery and what happens on the day of.
It’s good to remember that since LASIK is a form of surgery, people who have it done will need time to rest, recover and heal afterward. For those contemplating LASIK, here’s what to expect in the following days, weeks and months.
What may happen in the hours after LASIK surgery?
Expect the eyes to sting and burn for 2 to 4 hours after surgery, Dr. Polk notes. People may also feel discomfort, burning or itching in their eyes, and their vision may be blurry.2
An eye care provider will have people who undergo LASIK wear a shield or patch over the eye to help the healing process.2 They may also recommend that patients go home and try to sleep and take a mild pain reliever and/or a sedative if needed. “The eyes will heal better if people stay home and relax in the evening,” says Dr. Polk.
What may happen 1 day after LASIK surgery?
The morning after the procedure, a patient may be able to wake up, get out of bed, and have pretty clear vision. In most cases, people find there’s no need to use a pair of glasses.
“I typically see patients the day after surgery and the majority of them are very happy and excited about their vision,” says Dr. Polk.
What may happen 1 week after LASIK surgery?
While LASIK is typically a safe procedure, there may be real risks involved. It’s important that anyone considering LASIK talk through the risks and benefits with their eye care provider.
Potential complications may include:2
- Discomfort or scratchiness
- Dry eye
- Glares and halos (but these usually go away over time, notes Dr. Polk)
- Infection or scarring of the cornea
- Reduction or permanent loss of vision
- Sensitivity to light
Issues may appear during the first week after the procedure, says Dr. Polk. “For this reason, we recommend a close follow-up the first week after surgery and recommend patients stay in town for that first week,” he says. (Schedule a follow-up eye appointment today.)
For example, it’s a good idea to avoid using eye makeup for the first week and avoid swimming for 2 weeks after surgery, Dr. Polk advises. Doing either may cause an eye infection.
What may happen 1 month or more after LASIK surgery?
For some people, LASIK may not lead to immediate results. They may notice that their vision improves over the course of weeks or months after the surgery, says Dr. Polk. In fact, it can take 3 to 6 months for vision to fully stabilize.2
For most people, complications may be rare and the eyes may have healed a month after surgery, notes Dr. Polk.
If people notice eye redness or a sudden decrease in vision, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with their eye care provider.
Might there be any long-term effects of LASIK?
It’s important that patients manage their expectations. “I tell everyone that I cannot guarantee they will end up with perfect vision. There is a chance it could still be blurry after the procedure and may require further vision correction,” Dr. Polk says.
What’s more, LASIK surgery may not be the answer to everything. Here are some vision changes LASIK cannot treat:
- Presbyopia. Sometime around age 45 or so, the eyes may begin to have trouble focusing up close.3 This is known as presbyopia. It may be the reason why middle-aged adults often find they need reading glasses.4 Unfortunately, LASIK surgery cannot prevent or reverse these eye changes, Dr. Polk explains. Someone who used reading glasses may still have to wear them after LASIK and someone who has not yet developed presbyopia may need reading glasses in the future, he adds.
- Cataracts. LASIK surgery won’t prevent cataracts. Cataracts are a natural clouding of the lens of the eye, generally related to age. More than half of Americans who are 80 years old have cataracts or have had them surgically removed.5 The process usually begins in a person’s 60s or 70s, Dr. Polk says.
What changes in vision could happen after LASIK surgery?
People may expect their distance vision to stay clear, but changes may happen, Dr. Polk notes. “My experience has been that these vision changes are usually small, and most people are not bothered by it,” he says.
Sometimes, though, people may need to go back to using glasses or contacts. They also may be able to talk to their eye care provider about enhancement surgery, which is a second LASIK procedure to correct their vision.
It’s also a good idea to continue yearly eye exams, no matter the quality of your vision, says Dr. Polk. Even with 20/20 vision, someone may still develop eye disease with age, such as glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration.
It’s important to detect those problems early on. In fact, eye care providers may be able to spot a range of health issues during an eye exam. Yearly eye exams may help people maintain healthy eyes — and more — for many years to come.
Share
