Humans are very sight-oriented creatures. It’s no wonder so many people seek to improve their eyesight when it’s just not quite what it could be. LASIK eye surgery is a viable, effective option for those whose vision is farsighted or nearsighted, or who suffer from astigmatism, within certain limits. If you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery and you’ve chosen to have it done, you’ve chosen to take the next step towards better vision. Of course, part of what determines the effectiveness of the surgery is what happens in the aftermath of the procedure. So what can you do to make sure you have as smooth a recovery as possible following your LASIK procedure?
Prepare Ahead of Time
One of the things to understand about LASIK eye surgery is that the results are not automatic. You won’t have perfect vision as soon as you’re out of surgery. It will take time for your eyes to heal and for you to see the impact of the surgery (literally). In fact, your vision will most likely be blurry and your eyes will be pretty sensitive to the light. Because of this, it’s crucial that you prepare for your recovery ahead of time.
Start by arranging for someone to be there with you for your surgery who can get you home afterwards. Take some time to plan out and prepare meals for the first few days after your surgery. You don’t want to be trying to use kitchen knives or doing much cooking with blurry vision. It’s just not safe. If you have pets or children, you may want to arrange for someone to help with them for a few days. Be sure to take a shower and wash your hair before you come in for the surgery. It’s going to be important to avoid getting your eyes directly wet for a couple days after the surgery, so it’s a good idea to get that out of the way before your surgery.
Protect Your Eyes
As you might imagine, your eyes are going to be pretty sensitive after your LASIK procedure. You’ll be given instructions by your doctor that will help you with your recovery and help you protect your eyes. Make sure you follow them.
You’ll need to avoid electronics and screens for a few days, since they tend to reduce blinking, thereby causing the eyes to dry out (definitely not a good thing for someone who has recently had eye surgery). This can be a great chance to unplug and engage in other activities.
You’ll likely be provided with eye protection and eye drops. Make sure you use them as directed. In the case of your eye protection, this is especially at night to prevent you from inadvertently touching your eyes as you sleep. The eye drops will help keep your eyes lubricated so they can heal properly.
You must avoid touching your eyes following the procedure, even if you want to. Doing so can damage the delicate tissues of your eyes as they heal post surgery and mess with the results. It can also introduce bacteria and germs to the site, which can lead to infection.
Take steps to keep your eyes clean. Do your best to stay in clean environments. Avoid places that have a lot of fumes, dust, or smoke as much as possible. Avoid using makeup as well. Skip out on swimming for at least two weeks, as pool water can easily lead to developing an infection.
If you play sports, you may need to put those on hold. Getting bumped or hit in the eye could have a devastating impact on the results of your surgery.
Rest
Even minor surgeries like LASIK eye surgery take a toll on your body. It may not feel like it much, but you will need to get plenty of rest following the procedure. Sleep is crucial to the healing process, so make sure you get plenty of it.
As with any surgical or medical procedure, it’s important to give some thought to the aftermath of your LASIK eye surgery. This can have a strong impact on the results you attain, so it’s important to give your recovery proper consideration. Make sure you give yourself enough time before the procedure to prepare for your recovery. Take steps to protect your eyes and make sure you get enough rest. Make sure you attend any and all follow up appointments as well. That will help you have a smooth recovery and get optimal results from the procedure.
Getting ready for your LASIK eye surgery? Click here to learn what you should expect when you come to Davis Vision Center for your LASIK procedure.
