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Better Vision in the Blink of an Eye: The LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery Process

When you can see the look on your child’s face at graduation, individual blades of grass swaying in the wind, or recognize a long-lost friend from afar, life is simply better. Improving the functionality of your eyes has never been easier or more accessible. Here at Dello Russo Laser Vision, we strive to make LASIK surgery feel attainable for anyone—you deserve to experience the full-color beauty your eyes are capable of revealing.

Beautiful Views on the Horizon Planning Ahead for LASIK Surgery Recovery

LASIK eye surgery is a highly effective outpatient corrective vision procedure where patients often experience immediate improvement in their vision post-surgery. Days, weeks, and months after the procedure, you can expect your vision to improve as you recover. Ensure that your eyes heal as quickly as possible on the day of your procedure by:

  • Having someone else drive you home.
  • Trying to nap or rest with your eyes closed during the first several hours following surgery.
  • Avoiding screens (phones, computers, and TV) for the rest of the day.
  • Keeping lights dimmed and avoiding direct sunlight.
  • Wearing eye protection to avoid rubbing your eyes and disturbing your corneal flap.
  • Rest and hydration will be essential in allowing your eyes to recover on the day of your surgery. Plan ahead to take the day off and relax in low light at home.
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Recovery After LASIK What To Expect

During your LASIK recovery, you may experience some mild side effects. Be prepared to care for your eyes as directed. Following LASIK, you may experience:

  • Some itching or burning, teariness, and light sensitivity in the hours following surgery.
  • Some blurred, hazy, or cloudy vision for a week or two.
  • Some fluctuations in your vision as your corneas heal.
  • Glare, halos, or difficulty seeing well at night or in dim light as your corneas heal.
  • Some eye redness for a few days or dark red blotches (minor bruises from the procedure) on the whites of your eyes can appear for a couple of weeks.

During your LASIK surgery recovery period, you should:

  • Wear eye shields (clear, plastic shields taped over your eyes) at all times until the morning after your surgery and while sleeping for 4 or 5 days following the procedure.
  • Use prescription eye drops for several days and artificial tears for several weeks to prevent infection, inflammation, and dry eye.
  • Avoid makeup, eye cream, and anything that could cause dust, smoke, debris, or other materials to get in your eyes for a full week.
  • Wear sunglasses outdoors and protective eyewear during certain activities.
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Managing LASIK Recovery

Generally speaking, the timeline for recovery after LASIK is relatively fast. Most patients can drive and return to work 24 hours after LASIK. Although your corneas may not fully heal for a few months, most patients can return to normal activities within the first several weeks. Attending follow-up appointments allows your doctor to monitor your LASIK recovery. You can expect a follow-up appointment one day after surgery to check your vision and healing. From there, your doctor will make specific follow-up recommendations for you. Following your doctor’s instructions regarding your LASIK recovery is vital to healing and results. Tell your doctor about any discomfort or concerns, and don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. We want to ensure your recovery from LASIK is as smooth, easy, and comfortable as possible.

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LASIK Recovery Timeline What to Expect

An important part of preparing for LASIK eye surgery is knowing what to expect from your LASIK recovery. The good news is that this outpatient surgery is quick, and most patients find their LASIK surgery recovery time more manageable than expected. After undergoing LASIK surgery, you should feel relatively normal in little or no time, and any discomfort typically only lasts a day or two. Most people experience improved vision almost immediately following the surgery and can return to most activities in the first several days. However, it’s important to understand that the full LASIK recovery time will last a full year as your corneal flaps need to heal completely. Good news: this extended recovery timeline can occur alongside most of your daily activities. You should be prepared to be a little more gentle with your eyes for a while to protect healing corneas. After the first month following your procedure, the extra care you’ll need to take is minimal.

How Long Is The LASIK Surgery Recovery Timeline?

Below, we’ll walk you through the full LASIK eye surgery recovery timeline so you know exactly what you can expect regarding healing and recovery. The timeline begins from the first moment you step into our office until after the procedure is finished, all the way through the one-year mark. This rough but comprehensive guide can help you plan accordingly and reduce any worries that may arise if you experience any common side effects.

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LASIK Recovery Timeline

5 Minutes After Your Procedure

Looking around after your surgery, you may notice your vision has likely already improved. Your eyesight won’t achieve full correction yet—if you don’t feel satisfied with what you see, give it time. At first, your vision may appear blurry, foggy, or hazy, as if you were underwater. This will continue to improve over the next several hours, and symptoms will dissipate as your eyes heal. Your care team will apply clear plastic shields over your eyes to protect them. In preparation, you should have arranged for someone to drive you home, but we recommend you wear sunglasses outdoors anyway to protect your eyes.

30 Minutes After Your Procedure

The anesthesia will wear off around the 30-minute mark, meaning you may feel some mild discomfort. Your eyes may begin to itch or burn, so it’s important to rest them now. Try napping if possible, or lie down in a dim room and rest your eyes for 2-4 hours. Keep the shields on your eyes to protect your corneas, which are still very delicate. Your doctor will give you instructions about pain relievers if you need them. We also recommend avoiding all screens for a few hours, and you shouldn’t look at your phone, computer, or TV. Relax, and take that technology break you’ve been meaning to.

4 Hours After Your Procedure

After getting up from resting your eyes, you might notice the itching or burning sensations have subsided. Your vision will likely have improved even more in this time, although your eyes will still be sensitive to light and may feel dry or as though there’s something in them. Keep your eye shields on so you do not rub your eyes. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding eye drops during your LASIK recovery to help your eyes heal properly and keep them lubricated. Rest your eyes whenever they feel tired or if they start to feel extra itchy or sensitive.

24 Hours After Your Procedure

You may have other mild symptoms, which will begin to resolve during your LASIK recovery time. Common symptoms may include halos, glare, teary eyes, puffy eyelids, red eyes, or minor red bruises on the whites of your eyes. These are all temporary side effects of the surgery and should subside over time. Your vision will continue to improve as your eyes heal, but you may have fluctuations in your sight during this time. Though this is perfectly normal, keeping your eye surgeon updated about changes in your vision is always a good idea, particularly in the first day or two following your procedure. Contact your doctor if you experience any discomfort beyond what is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Day 1 or 2 After Your Procedure

You’ll see your doctor for a post-operative checkup appointment within a day or two of your surgery. During this appointment, the doctor will check to see how your eyes are healing by conducting an eye exam. They may also ask you questions about your vision and how your eyes feel. At this appointment, your doctor will likely clear you to drive; remember, we don’t recommend driving until your doctor says it’s okay. Seeing well and driving at night may take a little longer. You can shower at this point in your LASIK recovery, but keep soap, shampoo, and any other substances out of your eyes. In most cases, you can return to work and regular activities as soon as the day following your procedure.

Up to Day 5 After Your Procedure

We recommend continuing to wear your eye shields anytime you sleep for the next 4-5 days following surgery or as directed by your doctor. This ensures that during your LASIK surgery recovery, you won’t rub your eyes in your sleep or get anything in them that could irritate your healing corneas.

Up to 1 Week After Your Procedure

Your doctor will prescribe eye drops following surgery to help prevent infection and inflammation. Use them as frequently as directed to ensure proper healing. Continue to rest your eyes if you notice they feel tired, strained, or begin to itch or burn. During your LASIK recovery time, avoiding any damage to your corneal flaps as they heal is critical—this means being careful about anything touching or going into your eyes. As such, for the first week following surgery, you should avoid: Wearing eye makeup or lotion around the eyes, dust, dirt, sand, smoke getting in your eyes, yard or garden work, and public gyms.

Up to 2 Weeks After Your Procedure

You can now exercise, including at the gym. Wear sports goggles and be extremely careful if you participate in any contact sport or activity that may cause materials to fly around or hit your eye. At the two-week mark, you should be able to begin using eye makeup and lotions or creams around your eyes. You will still need to be extra careful to avoid rubbing your eyes so your corneas can heal correctly. Use the eye drops recommended by your doctor to help keep your eyes lubricated if they get dry or itchy, and consider wearing sunglasses or eye protection if you’re struggling to remember not to rub your eyes.

Up to 1 Month After Your Procedure

You may now swim in most bodies of water, such as a pool, hot tub, lake, river, or ocean, though goggles are recommended to protect your eyes and help you remember not to rub them. Sometimes, your doctor may ask you to wait until the two-month mark. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure proper healing and optimal results. Up until the one-month mark, be extra careful when: carrying small children or pets, doing yard work or gardening, and participating in contact sports or other activities that risk physical contact with your eyes. It’s crucial to attend eye care appointments recommended by your surgeon and to follow all doctor’s instructions carefully. Even if your vision seems fully improved, and you’re not experiencing any side effects, your corneas are still healing. The surgeon’s instructions will help your eyes heal correctly, giving you the best results for your vision.

Up to 6 Months After Your Procedure

Your eyes are not quite fully healed, so you should still use caution in certain situations. Driving at night may be difficult due to halos or glare, and your eyes may still be dry or light-sensitive. You may also experience some continued fluctuations in your vision during this time. Keep your doctor updated about any vision changes or concerns you may have, just to be safe.

Up to 1 Year After Your Procedure

You may still experience light sensitivity or dry eyes. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes outdoors, and keep lubricating eye drops on hand. Attend all appointments recommended by your surgeon so they can track your healing progress.

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LASIK Recovery Timeline

-The First 24 Hours-

When you step into one of our New York or New Jersey offices, you will be warmly welcomed by our staff: we want you to know how excited we are that you’ve chosen us to improve your vision and life. Our pristine offices are state-of-the-art and professional while still feeling warm and friendly. Welcome to Dello Russo! The procedure is quick and typically only takes about half an hour. From there, you’ll begin your LASIK eye surgery recovery time. It’s important to take excellent care of your eyes and precisely follow your surgeon’s instructions. The first 24 hours are the most critical part of your LASIK surgery recovery timeline in terms of healing. Here’s what to expect in the first hour after surgery.

5 Minutes After Your Procedure

Looking around after your surgery, you may notice your vision has likely already improved. Your eyesight won’t achieve full correction yet—if you don’t feel satisfied with what you see, give it time. At first, your vision may appear blurry, foggy, or hazy, as if you were underwater. This will continue to improve over the next several hours, and symptoms will dissipate as your eyes heal. Your care team will apply clear plastic shields over your eyes to protect them. In preparation, you should have arranged for someone to drive you home, but we recommend you wear sunglasses outdoors anyway to protect your eyes.

30 Minutes After Your Procedure

The anesthesia will wear off around the 30-minute mark, meaning you may feel some mild discomfort. Your eyes may begin to itch or burn, so it’s important to rest them now. Try napping if possible, or lie down in a dim room and rest your eyes for 2-4 hours. Keep the shields on your eyes to protect your corneas, which are still very delicate. Your doctor will give you instructions about pain relievers if you need them. We also recommend avoiding all screens for a few hours, and you shouldn’t look at your phone, computer, or TV. Relax, and take that technology break you’ve been meaning to.

4 Hours After Your Procedure

After getting up from resting your eyes, you might notice the itching or burning sensations have subsided. Your vision will likely have improved even more in this time, although your eyes will still be sensitive to light and may feel dry or as though there’s something in them. Keep your eye shields on so you do not rub your eyes. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding eye drops during your LASIK recovery to help your eyes heal properly and keep them lubricated. Rest your eyes whenever they feel tired or if they start to feel extra itchy or sensitive.

24 Hours After Your Procedure

You may have other mild symptoms, which will begin to resolve during your LASIK recovery time. Common symptoms may include halos, glare, teary eyes, puffy eyelids, red eyes, or minor red bruises on the whites of your eyes. These are all temporary side effects of the surgery and should subside over time. Your vision will continue to improve as your eyes heal, but you may have fluctuations in your sight during this time. Though this is perfectly normal, keeping your eye surgeon updated about changes in your vision is always a good idea, particularly in the first day or two following your procedure. Contact your doctor if you experience any discomfort beyond what is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.

-The First Week-

The first several days of your LASIK eye surgery recovery will involve at least one checkup appointment. You’ll need your doctor’s approval before driving again after surgery. Continue to follow any other doctor’s instructions to ensure your healing, and avoid activities that could put your corneal flaps at risk. The following is a more detailed outline of your expectations in the first week after your surgery.

Day 1 or 2 After Your Procedure

You’ll see your doctor for a post-operative checkup appointment within a day or two of your surgery. During this appointment, the doctor will check to see how your eyes are healing by conducting an eye exam. They may also ask you questions about your vision and how your eyes feel. At this appointment, your doctor will likely clear you to drive; remember, we don’t recommend driving until your doctor says it’s okay. Seeing well and driving at night may take a little longer. You can shower at this point in your LASIK recovery, but keep soap, shampoo, and any other substances out of your eyes. In most cases, you can return to work and regular activities as soon as the day following your procedure.

Up to Day 5 After Your Procedure

We recommend continuing to wear your eye shields anytime you sleep for the next 4-5 days following surgery or as directed by your doctor. This ensures that during your LASIK surgery recovery, you won’t rub your eyes in your sleep or get anything in them that could irritate your healing corneas.

Up to 1 Week After Your Procedure

Your doctor will prescribe eye drops following surgery to help prevent infection and inflammation. Use them as frequently as directed to ensure proper healing. Continue to rest your eyes if you notice they feel tired, strained, or begin to itch or burn. During your LASIK recovery time, avoiding any damage to your corneal flaps as they heal is critical—this means being careful about anything touching or going into your eyes. As such, for the first week following surgery, you should avoid: Wearing eye makeup or lotion around the eyes, dust, dirt, sand, smoke getting in your eyes, yard or garden work, and public gyms.

-The First Month-

After the first week of your LASIK surgery recovery timeline, you’ll begin to taper off your prescription eye drops. You’ll also be allowed to stop wearing your eye shields at night. You can start exercising again, though you should still be cautious about protecting your eyes. You will also still need to avoid certain activities for the first month following your surgery. Here’s more of what to expect in the first month after your surgery.

Up to 2 Weeks After Your Procedure

You can now exercise, including at the gym. Wear sports goggles and be extremely careful if you participate in any contact sport or activity that may cause materials to fly around or hit your eye. At the two-week mark, you should be able to begin using eye makeup and lotions or creams around your eyes. You will still need to be extra careful to avoid rubbing your eyes so your corneas can heal correctly. Use the eye drops recommended by your doctor to help keep your eyes lubricated if they get dry or itchy, and consider wearing sunglasses or eye protection if you’re struggling to remember not to rub your eyes.

Up to 1 Month After Your Procedure

You may now swim in most bodies of water, such as a pool, hot tub, lake, river, or ocean, though goggles are recommended to protect your eyes and help you remember not to rub them. Sometimes, your doctor may ask you to wait until the two-month mark. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure proper healing and optimal results. Up until the one-month mark, be extra careful when: carrying small children or pets, doing yard work or gardening, and participating in contact sports or other activities that risk physical contact with your eyes. It’s crucial to attend eye care appointments recommended by your surgeon and to follow all doctor’s instructions carefully. Even if your vision seems fully improved, and you’re not experiencing any side effects, your corneas are still healing. The surgeon’s instructions will help your eyes heal correctly, giving you the best results for your vision.

-The First Year-

Until the one-year mark, your eyes will likely still be healing from your procedure, so use caution and communicate with your surgeon. Here’s what to expect in the final six months of your LASIK recovery timeline.

Up to 6 Months After Your Procedure

Your eyes are not quite fully healed, so you should still use caution in certain situations. Driving at night may be difficult due to halos or glare, and your eyes may still be dry or light-sensitive. You may also experience some continued fluctuations in your vision during this time. Keep your doctor updated about any vision changes or concerns you may have, just to be safe.

Up to 1 Year After Your Procedure

You may still experience light sensitivity or dry eyes. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes outdoors, and keep lubricating eye drops on hand. Attend all appointments recommended by your surgeon so they can track your healing progress.

NOTE: Your LASIK eye surgery recovery timeline may vary depending on your original prescription and the unique aspects of your vision correction plan. Nearsighted patients, for example, and patients who receive more significant corrections often take a little longer to heal than others. Keep in close contact with your surgeon to ensure optimal healing and results specific to your case.

Guidelines for Taking Care of Your Eyes After Receiving LASIK

While it may feel inconvenient to be extra cautious when taking care of your eyes after LASIK surgery for the first year after surgery, being careful allows your eyes to heal properly and fully as quickly as possible. This helps ensure you get the best vision correction results possible and experience fewer side effects along the way. Listen closely to your eye surgeon’s advice and follow all their instructions precisely to ensure everything goes smoothly after the procedure.

Remember that every eye is unique, so that every patient will have a slightly different LASIK surgery recovery timeline. Each patient will also experience somewhat different sensations as their eyes heal. While one patient might have dry eyes, for example, another might not. Some patients are particularly sensitive to light, while others don’t notice any difference. Regardless of your unique recovery experience, taking good care of your eyes and being prepared to address any new sensations will help your eyes recover from the procedure quickly.

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Dello Russo for Expert LASIK Done Right

At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we specialize in custom LASIK procedures. When you receive Dello Russo care, we will provide a detailed recovery timeline customized to your eyes and procedure. Our world-class LASIK surgeons will give you detailed personalized information about your expected LASIK recovery time so you can plan accordingly and know what to expect ahead. If you need any special medications or instructions, they’ll give those to you as well. Ultimately, remember that once your procedure is over, the healing time is essential to getting the results you want. Be gentle with your eyes in the first crucial days and weeks following surgery, and be careful to adhere to the doctor’s guidelines. With a bit of extra care, you can help us ensure your healing proceeds as intended.

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Book Your LASIK Procedure Today at Dello Russo Laser Vision

If you’re ready to start your journey to better vision, we invite you to make your complimentary initial consultation at Dello Russo Laser Vision. We’ll begin by seeing whether or not you and your eyes are a good match for LASIK surgery. LASIK candidates can then discuss with the surgeon what their personalized LASIK treatment plan will look like for them. Here, we encourage you to ask questions and educate yourself on what to expect before and after LASIK surgery to ensure a smooth and easy recovery afterward.

If LASIK is Not Right for You

If you are not a candidate for LASIK, we have other options for improving your vision using lasers, such as Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK. For some, if LASIK isn’t an option for you right now, you may qualify for it in the future. No matter what type of correction you need, our expert eye surgeons can help you find the best vision correction solution for you and your eyes—it may not be LASIK, but there is a solution for you.

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Unparalleled Expertise in the Dello Russo Family Legacy

At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we ensure our patients have the best possible experience during every appointment. As the leading eye care provider in the Northeast for over 40 years, Dello Russo Laser Vision has an established reputation as experts in the field. We’re proud of our founders’ significant contributions to laser eye surgery over the years and their important legacy. Because of the high quality of Dello Russo expertise, we’re honored to provide long-standing service to our valued community. Our patients are our priority, and we work hard to ensure your experience meets your needs. You’ll find by pursuing our reviews that our patients love us—and we love them. As a family-owned and run business, we are committed to providing warm, friendly, professional service that leaves you feeling comfortable and stress-free. We also respect your time, ensuring every interaction is as efficient and easy as possible. Discover the Dello Russo Laser Vision difference by contacting us today and getting one step closer to better vision.

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