If you’re sick and tired of wearing glasses or contacts and ready to wake up in the morning able to see clearly when you open your eyes, then LASIK surgery may be just what you’ve been dreaming of. Portland LASIK procedures provide vision correction for people with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Many patients are able to get rid of their glasses and contacts forever after their eyes have healed from their LASIK procedure.
Tersigni Vision, a modern vision correction boutique, is the only vision correction center in Oregon to offer the entire portfolio of modern LASIK alternatives. We take care of our patients every step of the way and will answer any and all questions from your initial LASIK consultation through your recovery process. In this article, we will discuss what LASIK eye surgery recovery is like and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about it. We would be happy to answer any other questions you may have at your LASIK consultation. Call our office to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive LASIK eye examination and get started on your journey to visual freedom.
What will happen on the day of my LASIK procedure?
You should plan to spend about two hours at Tersigni Vision in our Portland office on the day of your LASIK eye surgery, even though the process only takes about 15 minutes. You’ll also need a ride home from someone as you will not be able to drive. Occasionally we rerun some of the tests performed during your Tersigni Vision Advanced Ocular Analysis prior to the procedure beginning.
You will be given eye-numbing drops before the procedure, and a soft eyelid holder will be placed so that you won’t have to worry about blinking. The excimer laser treatment will begin the laser eye correction procedure, which takes about 20 seconds per eye. Your surgical technicians will provide you with post-operative instructions and protective eye shields to wear while you sleep for the first two nights following your LASIK surgery.
How long is the recovery from LASIK?
The initial healing time following LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery typically lasts six to twelve hours. However, it varies from patient to patient and depends on a number of variables inlcuding the amount of inflammation. After having LASIK vision correction surgery, most patients can see clearly within 24 hours, but some require two to five days to recuperate. Following LASIK, some patients may experience blurred vision, glare or halos, and vision fluctuations for a few weeks.
As soon as the treatment is over, your eyes will begin to heal, but the overall recovery time you should expect from LASIK generally takes four to six weeks. Dr. Tersigni will monitor your healing process at your follow-up appointments and give you a better idea of your unique recovery timeline.
More FAQ’s about LASIK Recovery Portland
Is LASIK recovery painful?
The majority of LASIK patients experience little, if any, discomfort during or after their LASIK procedure. It is common to experience itchy, dry, or irritated eyes after LASIK surgery, but you should not experience severe pain at all. Your eye surgeon will give you eye drops to help alleviate any discomfort and aid in the healing process.
Can I drive 2 days after LASIK?
Each person’s recovery period is unique, and you should follow the advice given by your doctor about your unique situation, but often times you are released to drive the day after your surgery. Your eye doctor will release you to drive at your follow-up appointment if blurry vision is improved, and you are healing as expected.
What can you not do after LASIK?
Although laser vision correction is a quick, painless operation on the human eye with minimal recovery time, patients must take precautions to ensure that the healing process is as quick and painless as possible. Patients should refrain from swimming in pools, hot tubs, saunas, and other bodies of water for at least two weeks following their procedure to prevent the risk of infection, and it is advisable to wear goggles for a few weeks afterwards. We know patients are excited to return to a normal routine with clear vision, but it is important to let your eyes fully recover before resuming strenuous activity and avoid contact sports for at least a week as well.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your LASIK procedure, you should avoid heavy usage of phone and computer screens. This will help alleviate any additional stress these types of screens put on the eye and allow your eyes to heal.
LASIK patients should try not to wear eye makeup for about one week following their surgical procedure. Your LASIK surgeon will go over the LASIK recovery time guidelines at your LASIK consultation. Follow your doctor’s advice so that your eyes heal quickly without any complications.
What should I do the first 24 hours after LASIK?
The first 24 hours after your laser eye surgery, you should use for resting, according to LASIK experts. LASIK patients should refrain from reading, using computers, engaging in vigorous activity, and watching television during this time. Wearing sunglasses is important as you will be light sensitive following your LASIK procedure. Protecting your eyes as you recover from LASIK will help keep you comfortable and aid in the healing process.
On the first day after your procedure, you can take a shower but make sure you do not get water or soap in your eyes.
Follow the directions on any prescription medication, artificial tears, or lubricating eye drops your doctor recommends.
How long after LASIK until I sleep without an eye shield?
There are two steps in the LASIK procedure approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Tersigni uses a femtosecond laser to make a corneal flap on the surface of the eye that gets lifted in the initial stage and the process is completed by gently resealing this flap into place. A second laser is used in the second stage of LASIK to reshape the cornea in order to correct vision.
For the first week, it’s crucial that the corneal flap not be disturbed. After 48-72 hours it is very secure, but if you press too hard on the eye in any one way, especially during the first 72 hours, you could perhaps move the flap’s edge. We advise patients to wear eye protection at night to help avoid this problem. For the first few nights after your LASIK surgery, we advise using eye shields while you sleep at night or take naps. Additionally, patients should be very cautious when dabbing their eyes with a clean tissue and avoid applying pressure to the eye.
When can I see 20/20 after LASIK?
Recovery times can vary from person to person, but many people see 20/20 by the day after their LASIK procedure. Although visual perception is typically excellent, this does not imply that the healing process is over and patients should continue to follow their doctor’s instructions closely.
How can I speed up my LASIK eye surgery recovery time?
After LASIK eye surgery patients are excited about being able to see clearly and eager to return to a normal routine with their improved vision. Following these tips for LASIK recovery will help speed up your recovery and eliminate any setbacks along the way.
- Use eye shields when you sleep
- Reduce screen time
- Do not rub your eyes or touch your eyes
- Take it easy and rest as much as possible
- Attend all follow up visits
- Use any eye drops prescribed as directed
- Do not wear cosmetics or face lotion for one week
- Wear sunglasses when in bright light
- Avoid contact sports, swimming and hot tubs
- Follow your LASIK surgeon’s instructions
How long after LASIK can I wash my face?
In general, you should avoid cleaning your face for at least 24 hours following LASIK. When washing your face you must avoid getting soap or water in your eyes for at least a few days, just like when you take a shower. You should take your time when using face wash and rinse your cleanser off slowly and cautiously without spraying any water. Consider completely avoiding your forehead because the soap is more likely to drip down from there into your eyes. When it’s time to dry your face, pat your skin gently with a towel while avoiding your eyes.
By following the above advice, many people successfully wash their faces throughout the LASIK recovery period. There are also a few facial washing techniques eye surgeons recommend that reduce the possibility of getting anything in your eyes.
Pouring a face toner onto a cotton pad and applying it to dry skin is one way to clean your face without using water or soap. As an alternative, you can remove surplus oil and grime from your face by wiping it with a damp washcloth. Remember to stay away from your eyes with either technique.
How many days after LASIK Can I wash my hair?
The day following laser eye treatments you can wash your hair. As mentioned before, you must be extra cautious to keep soap and water out of our eyes when showering and washing your hair especially for the first week following LASIK surgery.
If you’re in the Portland area and ready to get rid of the hassle of contact lenses or glasses, call Tersigni Vision now and come see what you’re missing. Call our office today to schedule your complete eye exam and find out if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Our highly trained team will be with you every step of your journey to visual freedom. –
