Right now, you likely rely on glasses or contacts to see clearly. These can be cumbersome and limit your active lifestyle. If you get LASIK, you’ll never have to worry about breaking your glasses while participating in sports or having to deal with blurry vision sans contact lenses while taking a swim! After LASIK, you’ll be able to travel lighter and leave the contact solution and lenses at home. Read on to learn about resuming normal activities after LASIK.
The majority of LASIK patients are back to their normal routine within a day or two. In fact, if you’re a LASIK patient, you’ll most likely be able to return to work the next morning after surgery! Be sure to check with your LASIK surgeon just to be sure!
As for the rest of your activities? Check out this recommended timeline for what to expect after LASIK!
Immediately After Surgery
- Rest and keep your eyes closed for a few hours after your LASIK eye surgery before resuming normal activities at home.
- Avoid any activities that could lead to accidentally being poked or touched in the eye area.
- Refrain from rubbing your eyes due to itchiness or dryness. This is what the lubricant eye drops prescribed by your LASIK surgeon are for!
- After LASIK, you must have someone drive you home. The numbing eye drops used during the procedure often cause your eyes to be sensitive to light for a few hours, causing them to "water," which will affect your vision.
24 Hours After Surgery
- Reduce your risk of getting soap or tap water in your eyes, which could lead to complications like infections, by taking a bath instead. When you do shower, be sure to keep soap and water out of your eyes for a week.
- Reading and watching TV is a great way to relax as long as you make sure to keep your eyes lubricated with the prescribed eye drops!
- You’ll likely be back at work, but make sure you take your eye drops with you. Staring at a computer screen can lead to dry eyes. If you happen to forget them, no worries. You may experience temporary visual fluctuations but your vision will not be permanently affected.
- Got a plane to catch? Keep your eye drops on hand, along with that boarding pass, as the air inside the cabin is dry.
48 Hours after Surgery
Showering is allowed!
One Week Post-LASIK
Get your eyeliner ready, ladies. You’re in the clear to wear eye makeup again!
Two Weeks Post-LASIK
- Swimming is allowed (but wear goggles!)
- Sailing
- Biking
- Hot tubs and saunas are back on the go-list!
One Month Post-LASIK
You can resume high-impact activities such as martial arts and water-skiing!
Note that these are general guidelines. Ask your eye doctor or LASIK surgeon for more specific information and be sure to follow their recommendations regarding when to resume normal activities after LASIK.
Think you’re finally ready to start the LASIK conversation? Danbury Eye can help! Contact our office to schedule your LASIK consultation today!
