4 Things To Avoid During Your LASIK Recovery
October 26th, 2021
LASIK is a safe and effective way to enhance your vision. But some of its safety and effectiveness depend on how you treat your eyes after the procedure.
LASIK has a low risk of complication, but it does have some risks, as all medical procedures do. But, you can help reduce potential adverse side effects and ensure you get desirable results.
To do this, you need to follow your eye doctor’s instructions during your recovery from LASIK. How well you recover from LASIK partly depends on how closely you follow their instructions.
Keep reading to learn about four things to avoid during your LASIK recovery.
Rubbing Your Eyes
Rubbing your eyes is always bad. But doing it can have disastrous consequences while your eyes are recovering from LASIK.
During the procedure, your surgeon creates a flap in the top layer of your cornea, called the epithelium. This flap gives them access to the thicker middle part of your cornea.
LASIK corrects your vision by reshaping the middle layer of your cornea. Your surgeon uses a laser to remove tissue from it to give it a smoother shape.
Throughout the procedure, the flap remains attached to your eye. Leaving it on your eye makes it possible to replace it at the end of the procedure.
Reattaching the flap reduces recovery time, but it is also fragile. Any disruptions to the flap while you are healing could cause lasting consequences to your vision.
It can be challenging to remember not to rub your eyes, especially while recovering from LASIK. You may experience some degree of dry eye in the early stage of recovery when the flap is most vulnerable.
This dryness may make you want to rub your eyes. Use eye drops preemptively and often to help cope with this itchiness and dryness.
Your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops as part of your recovery. These help your eyes heal and reduce itchiness.
Water
For a few weeks after LASIK, there is still a tiny incision in your epithelium. The flap used to access the middle of your cornea takes time to seal.
This incision leaves your eyes susceptible to infection. That’s why you must keep water out of them during your recovery.
Even clean water can carry infectious bacteria or germs. Avoid baths, swimming, and hot tubs in the early days after LASIK.
You can still shower, but keep your eyes closed and pay extra attention to not get soap or shampoo in them. Also, avoid using makeup and lotions around your eyes for the first few days afterward.
Dirt, Debris, and Dust
You want to rest and relax in the beginning phase of your recovery for a couple of reasons. One reason is to avoid potential contaminants or particles from getting in your eyes.
Getting particles in your eyes can lead to issues during the sensitive first days of recovery. There is the chance of infection, as with getting water in them.
Also, rubbing your eyes or flushing them out with water can affect your outcome. It’s best to avoid getting any debris in your eyes, so you don’t need to clean them out.
Heavy Lifting
Lifting heavy objects increases the pressure in your eyes. Under normal circumstances, this isn’t a problem.
But early in LASIK recovery, even bending over at the waist can damage the flap in your cornea. Plan on nothing more than light activity for your first few days of LASIK recovery.
Following these guidelines can help you achieve the eyesight you desire after LASIK! Are you ready for the visual freedom it provides?
Schedule a LASIK consultation at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
