Questions You May Have About LASIK Surgery and Recovery

If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, most likely, your biggest concern is how long it will take to recover. You may be surprised by the quick recovery after this procedure. Most people return to normal routines within one or two days and experience very few side effects. 

Here is a timeline of LASIK recovery you can expect:

One Day: 

After the surgery day, your eyes will still be puffy, but vision is usually much clearer than it was pre-surgery. Many patients say they feel as if they got hit by a truck the day after surgery, as their bodies go into shock from such a drastic change in routine. You may also notice halos around lights at night and dry eyes.

Two Days: 

The puffiness of your eyes should start to decrease after two days. Though your vision may be better, it can take until this point for both eyes to attain 20/20 vision (or as good as it’s going to get).

Three to Five Days: 

Your eyes may still be sensitive to light, but you should notice great improvement within 3-5 days. By this time, your doctor will likely send you home with additional eye drops to use for the next several months.

Six Weeks: 

You probably won’t need glasses or contacts after about six weeks because your vision begins to stabilize. However, you should continue wearing protective eyewear while sleeping and swimming for another three to six months after surgery. Some people find that their sight fluctuates over the first year, so it’s important to follow up with your doctor until they feel sure your eyes are stabilized.

Your job duties shouldn’t change at all after LASIK – not even temporarily. If other employees ask if they can pick up some of your work, you can tell them you can manage everything for now.

Questions About The Surgery You May Have?

Will a patient need to take any time off from work?

You can go back to work as soon as the day after surgery. There is no downtime involved with LASIK eye surgery. You will have some light sensitivity for a few days after your procedure, but working the day or the next day is convenient and prevents any lost wages.

How will you feel after surgery?

Your eyes may feel scratchy, dry, and sensitive to light after surgery for a few days. You’ll likely sleep more than usual the first night because it is so uncomfortable to keep your eyes open around lights. Other than that, most patients feel fine physically and experience fast LASIK recovery.

Will you still need my glasses or contacts?

You will not use your glasses after surgery, but you may want to wear protective eyewear while sleeping and swimming for a few months. If you currently don’t wear either, ask your doctor about how long it might be before you can safely go without.

How much does LASIK cost?

The average price for LASIK eye surgery is about $2,000 per eye. However, if you have vision insurance or want to pay upfront and receive a reimbursement check later, the total may be much lower – averaging about $500 to $900 per eye.

What happens if you don’t like the results of my surgery?

Call us immediately if you’re not happy with your LASIK vision correction one year after your procedure. We will schedule a free consultation and help determine if another treatment is available for you (such as PRK).

Will your vision ever change after having LASIK?

Yes, but only in the same ways it changed before your surgery. If you were nearsighted when you had LASIK, you’d still be nearsighted after. If you were farsighted, your eyes would stay that way. Most people are very happy with their surgery in the long run because their vision stabilizes within six months to a year.

Who should have LASIK?

LASIK is for people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism and want to have clear distance vision without glasses or contact lenses. If you’re considering surgery, ask yourself if you’re willing to follow instructions about protecting your eyes after the procedure.

How safe is LASIK?

Millions of people have had successful results with this surgery. Many doctors consider it the best treatment for vision problems. You should always discuss any health concerns or questions with your eye physician and your primary physician before deciding upon LASIK surgery.

Conclusion: 

There is no doubt that LASIK eye surgery is a highly successful vision correction procedure. Most people who have it done do not regret it, and their lives are changed for better with complete recovery.