How much downtime is there after LASIK?

Doctor's Answers 1

Immediately after LASIK, vision is generally misty and the eyes sometimes may feel a bit teary or irritated.

These symptoms get better very fast, so that by the next day vision is much better and most of the mistiness is gone. Usually the discomfort is also gone by then, although the eyes can feel drier than normal for some weeks.

By the next day after LASIK, vision is usually good enough to do most things such as driving, reading, looking at computer screens etc.

Actual downtime depends on the particular person and their job/activities, however, it is common to give 2 days' medical leave, ie the day of LASIK itself and the next day.

Probably the activity with the longest down time would be watersports, with most clinics advising not to go swimming or engaging in watersports for one month after LASIK. Do consult with your prospective clinic regarding specific activities you might be concerned about.

Similar Questions

How can I prevent blood clots on the whites of my eyes after LASIK?

Hi Susanne In the first step of the LASIK procedure, a ‘flap’ is created using a femtosecond laser (or, in the past, a special blade called a microkeratome). During this step, the laser is ‘connected’/docked to the eye with a ring-like device that grips the white part of your eye. You can watch an animation here: There are many small blood vessels on this part of the eye, and sometimes the suction pressure providing the grip may cause some of the blood vessels to leak some blood, causing red patches after the LASIK.

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What factors should I consider in deciding whether Punctal Plugs are the right treatment for my dry eyes after LASIK?

Punctal plugs are very effective for treating dry eyes that occur during waking hours, whether or not the situation is associated with LASIK. They help to reduce the need for eyedrops, so are very useful for people who have to use artificial tears very frequently eg instead of having to use the eyedrops every 2-3 hourly, sometimes after the plugs are placed, the eyedrops might only be needed every 4-6 hourly. As long as there is no active eye inflammation (eg persistent eye redness/discharge), punctal plugs can help anyone with moderate dry eyes requiring frequent eyedrop instillation.

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