Life After LASIK

Congratulations! After years of wondering where you left your glasses, you finally went through with getting LASIK eye surgery. You can’t wait to see what the world looks like with 20/20 vision. Before you drive at night to see a 3D movie in celebration, there are a few important points you should know about.

For more information on Orange County LASIK eye surgery, contact Advanced Eye Medical.

Immediately After Surgery

You will spend 2-3 hours at the surgery center on the day of your procedure. You will need to plan for someone to drive you to and from the center. After your surgery you will go home to rest and sleep for the rest of the day in order to heal. You will experience improved vision immediately and your vision will continue to improve over the next few days.

The Day After Surgery

The day after surgery, you will visit your doctor for your postoperative appointment. LASIK surgery does not carry a lot of risks, but it will be important to know that everything is working properly. During this appointment your doctor will simply check on the condition of your eyes, and make sure everything is healing according to schedule. This appointment should have been scheduled at the same time that you scheduled your LASIK surgery appointment. You may return to work the day after your surgery.

The Week After Surgery

Because a new part of your cornea is now encountering the atmosphere, you may experience burning, stinging, and pain in your eyes for about a week after your surgery. Because most of us are not used to really feeling anything at all in our eyes, this can be nerve wracking. Just know that this symptom is to be expected and you should not worry about it.

Red Eyes

Redness of the eyes is another normal side effect of LASIK surgery. If you feel a social stigma or it is bothersome to you in any way, you can request eye drops from your doctor to reduce the redness. If you think this side effect is lasting too long, get in touch with your doctor. Although it is probably nothing, you want to make sure you are not experiencing a more serious reaction to surgery.

Eye Makeup

After LASIK surgery you should not apply any eye makeup such as eyeliner, eyeshadow, or mascara. You won’t need to avoid it forever, but it can really harm your eyes immediately after surgery as your eyes adjust. How long you need to go without your makeup depends on your individual case. Make sure to discuss this with your doctor and get his or her permission before your start applying it again.

Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

For a period after your LASIK surgery, you will need to stay out of pools and jacuzzies. Period. You can’t go in from the waist down. You can’t wear goggles. Not at all. If even a drop of chlorine gets in your eye, you are in serious trouble. This is a strict requirement that lasts for the immediate recovery period. Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to swim again.

An Opportunity to Quit Smoking

By now you know that smoking is really bad for you. Whether you smoke cigarettes, marijuana, or even vape, you will need to quit at least temporarily after your LASIK surgery. This is because smoke is especially irritating to your eyes, making it one of the most important things to avoid. Other irritants to avoid include dust, dirt, and other air pollutants. If you do quit smoking you will not only be saving your eyes, but your heart and lungs as well.

Orange County LASIK Eye Surgery

Dr. Gosheh at Advanced Eye Medical in Orange County performs LASIK surgery using iLASIK. iLASIK is the latest technology which has recently been approved by NASA for use on astronauts, and by all branches of the US military for use on all service men and women, including Air Force pilots and Naval Aviators. Contact Dr. Gosheh at Advanced Eye Medical for a consultation towards Orange County LASIK eye surgery today!