You may be wondering when you’ll be able to see clearly after LASIK. Every patient heals a little differently, but here’s what you can typically expect in the hours, days, and weeks following your laser vision correction.
How Long Before You Can See After LASIK
What Is LASIK?
Light should bend and focus on your retina when it strikes your cornea. When this doesn’t happen properly, it may cause vision problems such as blurry vision and this is called a refractive error. Many people wear some type of corrective lens in order to have clear vision, but LASIK can help correct refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. LASIK, also known as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a life-changing alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses that can improve visual perception.
What to Expect During LASIK Recovery
We are often asked how long it will take before vision is clear after LASIK. Any type of surgical procedure has a healing process that takes time, and refractive surgery is no different. While some patients’ vision can take up to a week to seem normal, for the majority, it begins to return to normal within 48 hours. LASIK patients should always follow the advice of their ophthalmologist regarding post-operative therapies and preventative measures for expediting the healing process. Your eye doctor will explain what to expect in the hours and days following your procedure at your appointment and will check your healing at your follow-up visit.
Tips for an Optimal LASIK Surgery Recovery Process
Following the LASIK treatment, your surgeon will advise you to follow a set of optimal recovery practices in order to encourage healing. The following are the most typical dos and don’ts for LASIK patients:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes/eyelids.
- Utilize the eye drops that your doctor has directed you to use in order to treat dry eyes and avoid infection and irritation.
- Avoid eye irritants, including airborne chemicals such as fumes, smoke, and dust, until the surface of the eye is healed. Typically this is about two weeks.
- Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and Jacuzzis for two weeks after LASIK to avoid any risk of infection.
- Avoid contact sports for two weeks following LASIK.
How Long Before You Can See After LASIK Common Questions Answered
Will I Have Blurry Vision After LASIK?
Your vision may be a little blurry for a few hours following the LASIK procedure. The blurriness and clarity of your vision should noticeably improve during the first 24 hours. Although there will be significant improvement in your vision within 24 hours, you can still occasionally encounter intermittent fluctuations in your vision as your eyes become used to the reshaped cornea. It will typically take between three and six months after LASIK for your eyes to fully recover, and it’s common to experience minor fluctuations throughout this time. Naturally, the degree of your post-LASIK improvement will depend on your level of visual acuity before the procedure. For instance, those having LASIK for farsightedness may first notice that nearby objects are clearer than distant ones, but they will discover that their distance vision improves after about a month. Additionally, if you needed a strong eyeglass prescription before the procedure, it can take longer for your eyesight to completely stabilize following laser eye surgery.
How Long After LASIK Until I Can…
After LASIK, you naturally want to resume your favorite activities, but many of them necessitate having clear vision in order to do them safely. Drive? You should arrange for a ride to the LASIK center on the day of surgery and a ride home following your procedure, as you will experience blurry vision in the first few hours and not be able to drive. It is advised that you refrain from driving for at least 24 hours following your LASIK eye surgery. At your initial follow-up visit after surgery, your doctor will determine whether you’re okay to drive or not. The amount of time that each patient must wait before driving following LASIK surgery varies depending on the individual. However, the majority of patients receive their doctor’s clearance to drive after their follow up appointment eye exam once they have clearer vision. Watch TV?After LASIK surgery, we recommend that you go home and take a nice long nap. TAfter your nap you can resume activities such as watching TV, playing video games, computer work and reading. Taking breaks as needed and keeping your eyes lubricated will help with any eye strain you may feel.
How Long Do You Have to Wear Sunglasses After LASIK?
After LASIK, you should anticipate some eye sensitivity. The majority of LASIK patients are sensitive to bright lights immediately following the procedure. After surgery, this is temporary and should disappear within 12 to 24 hours. Wearing sunglasses when outdoors is always good practice to avoid unnecessary UV exposure. Find out from your doctor which sunglasses are ideal for your healing eyes. In general, it is advised that your sunglasses include polarized lenses and UV protection.
When Can I Go Swimming?
If you’ve ever gone swimming without goggles, you know how easily the chlorine in a pool can sting your eyes. Therefore, it is advised that you avoid swimming for at least two weeks following LASIK. Talk to your doctor about when you’ll be allowed to swim if you’re eager to get back in the water during your LASIK recovery.
Why Choose Chu Vision Institute for LASIK?
Our staff at Chu Vision Institute has over 25 years of experience performing LASIK procedures and always makes a point to thoroughly explain to every patient not only the treatment itself but also the healing period and what to expect after LASIK. We look forward to helping you and your loved ones to experience life with restored vision by providing caring, individualized care. Schedule your consultation appointment right away to start your path to better vision. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu is a fellowship-trained corneal specialist and a nationally recognized leader in refractive and cataract procedures. His specialty areas include cataract, LASIK, cornea, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries for patients in the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities areas.