Archive for the ‘Lasik Recovery’ Category

One critical factor after your Lasik procedure is the healing of the hinged corneal flap that is created to allow the laser to reshape the inner corneal surface. What is required is the eventual healing and re-bonding of the flap to the outer surface of the cornea. This is a great area of concern for most patients as they picture their corneal flap ‘flapping in the breeze.’ It’s comforting to realize, however that even complete corneal transplants ultimately heal, such is the healing power of the eye.
The normal healing period for the post-Lasik patient is six-months, by that time, in the vast majority of cases, any problems you were having with your vision will have disappeared or dissipated to the nearly unnoticeable stage. Some things do take longer however. Complete healing of the corneal flap may take up to two-years, but the fact that it is not completely healed should not be a concern nor should it cause a vision problem.
After your Lasik procedure you will most likely be scheduled for a minimum of five follow-up visits — the first one will be within 24-hours of your surgery. It is very important that you make it to all of these appointments so that your healing process can be monitored and any adjustments can be made to your post-op treatment.
You will, in most cases be required to use eye drops for the first two-to-four weeks after your procedure. These will help alleviate any discomfort you feel in your eyes during this initial healing period. Some discomfort (not pain) is normal as are:
” Watery eyes and a runny nose
” Sensitivity to bright light
” Redness and minor swelling of the eye
” A dry feeling in your eyes
” Slightly blurred vision
Other post-op tips are:
” You might need to take an OTC medicine that does NOT contain aspirin, like Tylenol or Advil, for minor discomfort.
” Make an effort to protect your eyes from bright light or sunlight (sunglasses) and water.
” Rest your eyes as much as possible and try to get some extra sleep for at least the first two or three days after your procedure.
” You will be given a mask (an eye shield) to wear — use it for the first two-hours after your procedure and then while you sleep for the next three-or-four days.
” Avoid all water sports and water related activities (hot tubs, whirlpools, swimming, etc.) for the first two weeks.
” Don’t go scuba diving for at least six weeks.
Complications. Your risk of complications after Lasik surgery and the possible need for touch-up surgery depends on a number of factors. One such factor is the state of your pre-operative vision; the worse your eyes were going into a Lasik procedure that greater the chance that a) you will not be completely satisfied with the results and b) your surgery will result in some complications. As an example, if you needed reading glasses before your surgery, you may still need them post-op and if you had a small amount of astigmatism before your results might not seem be satisfactory. Touch-up surgery is not highly unusual and it is usually covered by the cost of the Lasik treatment program but it’s still an additional surgery that it would be nice not to have.
One guarantee about surgery is that there are no guarantees. Fact of the matter is everyone heals differently, some of us are lucky enough to have amazing healing powers while some of us are rather slow getting our health back after a sickness or a surgery.
A thorough pre-op evaluation and complete honesty between the perspective patient and the Lasik counselor can eliminate problems for both parties. Not everyone should have Lasik! Some of the determining factors that should eliminate a perspective Lasik patient are:
” Refractive instability indicated by requiring a new vision prescription within the year prior to your evaluation.
” Age! Someone who is between 19 and 24 years old is a bad risk for a trouble-free Lasik procedure.
” If you are pregnant or breast feeding any unnecessary surgery is unwise.
” If you have a disease such as HIV, herpes, diabetes eye surgery could lead to disastrous results.
” Eye conditions such as large pupils and thin corneas also spell trouble.

There are several reasons why so many people who rely on wearing glasses or contacts turn the Lasik vision correction surgery. For people who are very active, the idea of not wearing glasses or contacts is very appealing. Also, vision is usually much better than before the Lasik procedure. Lasik is a widely performed surgery and while it does have some risks and complications, it can greatly benefit many people. To have a better outcome after the Lasik surgery there are five things you should not do after Lasik eye surgery.
Before going in for the Lasik procedure, your eye care professional will have already performed an in-depth eye exam. In addition to an eye exam, you doctor needs a thorough health history to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure. Many factors can make or break your Lasik surgery. To have a good outcome, you must be a good candidate, you should follow all pre-operative instructions and you should always follow the post-operative instructions.
When you are ready for your Lasik procedure, your doctor will discuss several things to look for after surgery. He or she will also give you detail post-operative instructions. Some of these instructions may include not driving or working for several days, going to your check up appointments when scheduled, avoiding make up or touching the eye and refraining from physical activity.
Do not drive: Your Lasik surgeon will tell you not to drive for a while after the surgery. The time can vary depending on how you are healing. Most Lasik patients are allowed to drive 48 hours after the procedure, but only for short distances. If you are experiencing problems with low-light vision, you may need to restrict your nighttime driving for a few more days. In addition, some Lasik patients do experience some sensitivity to light, so it is highly recommended to wear sunglasses when driving during the day. Also, depending on the work you do, you may need to miss work for up to four days following the procedure. It is necessary to let the eye rest for some time to allow healing to take place.
Do not miss post-operative care appointments: Your Lasik surgeon will recommend that you make appointments for post-operative exams to check the healing of the eye. Usually these appointments are made one week, one month and three months after surgery. It is important that these appointments are made before you have your Lasik procedures. Keeping these appointments are critical to assess the healing after surgery.
Do not apply eye make up: Most Lasik surgeons recommend that all traces of any make up, including lipstick and any facial lotions be completely removed. In order to make sure that no make is present during surgery, it is recommended to not wear make up three days before Lasik surgery. This rule also applies after surgery, too. Most Lasik doctors will tell you to refrain from using any make up or lotions for 48 hours after the procedure. After that time, it is ok to wear make up, excluding eye make up. Eye make up is acceptable after about one week or whenever your Lasik surgeon gives you permission. This rule is important because not only can make up enter the eye and cause infection after surgery, but it can also damage the eye. If you apply make up around the eye area, the chances for accidentally poking the eye with a make up applicator is greater. Also, patients can shower, but should not use any soap or facial washes on the face for two to three days after the surgery.
Do not touch the eye: After your surgery, your Lasik doctor will advise you to not touch the eye for any reason. You will be given eye drops, but other than that, nothing should enter the eye area. Most Lasik patients will receive an eye shield to wear while sleeping. These shields help prevent accidentally rubbing or poking while sleeping. Touching the eye can cause contaminants to enter the eye area and will increase the risk of infection. Touching the eye or accidental poking the eye can lead to damage of the surgery area and will cause problems with the healing process.
Do not participate in strenuous physical activity: Some normal activities can be done about 48 hours after surgery, but should be done with caution. Golf and light work outs are all allowed one day after surgery, but with any outdoor activity, protective eye wear should be worn. Reading, working on the computer and watching television are also allowed 24 hours after surgery, but it is recommended to keep the eye moisturized with eye drops. After three days, playing with children, sexual activity, and sunbathing are all allowed with proper care taken to protect the eye area. In seven days more strenuous activities such as jogging, light biking, and lifting weights can be added. If you are involved with extreme sports such as kayaking, skiing, parachuting and skiing, talk to your doctor about when these sports are allowed. Usually it will be at least three months after surgery.