3 Things Not to Do After LASIK Surgery

Are you considering LASIK surgery? If so, it’s important to follow post-procedure care guidelines and precautions to ensure that your surgery is a success. According to LASIK surgeons, there are a number of activities you should avoid after your procedure to experience the best results possible. Below, you’ll find three of the top activities to avoid after your LASIK surgery.

Driving

After undergoing the LASIK procedure, you cannot drive yourself home because your vision will remain significantly unfocused for several hours after the surgery. Moreover, the sedatives administered during the procedure may take several hours to wear off, which can severely impair your reaction time and ability to focus. Approximately 24 hours after your surgery, your vision will regain focus, and you’ll begin to experience significant vision improvements. However, this doesn’t quite mean you’re ready to drive. Your first post-operative appointment is typically scheduled within 24 to 48 hours after surgery, and once you’ve received the go-ahead from your doctor, only then should you get behind the wheel. Driving before your vision returns to normal can lead to an accident that causes serious injuries, so for safety’s sake, follow your doctor’s recommendations to the letter.

Viewing Screens

Viewing electronic screens even without LASIK can cause digital eye strain, but viewing them immediately after your LASIK procedure can cause even more eye strain than normal. Doing this will impair your eyes’ natural healing process. As such, doctors recommend avoiding screen exposure for the first 24 hours after surgery. Symptoms of eye strain include:

• Blurry vision
• Back, neck and should pain
• Eye fatigue
• Headaches

If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is imperative that you discontinue the activity that is causing your eye fatigue and allow your eyes to rest. After giving your eyes substantial time to recuperate, you may begin gradually reintroducing screens into your field of vision. If possible, limit your screen exposure during the first three to four days following your surgery to give your eyes adequate time to recover. After three to four days have passed, you can typically return to your normal screen-viewing patterns.

Rubbing Your Eyes

After your LASIK procedure, it is crucial to avoid rubbing your eyes for one month. Rubbing your eyes can cause your corneal flap, which was cut during surgery, to shift position, which impedes your eyes’ healing process. It can be difficult to avoid rubbing your eyes while they’re healing, so if you feel the need to rub, try:

• Using lubricating eye drops
• Applying a clean, soft, damp cloth to your eyes to help reduce itching
• Blinking repeatedly
• Wearing an eye shield while sleeping to prevent accidental, unconscious rubbing

Taking proper care of your eyes after LASIK surgery will help you experience significant vision improvements and ensure your eyes heal as quickly as possible. While it can be inconvenient to avoid certain daily habits, allowing your eyes to rest properly is key to your surgery’s success.