How Quick Is LASIK Recovery?
- Posted on: Dec 11 2020
LASIK is a brief procedure with long-term benefits. The surgical laser is in contact with the cornea for 40 or fewer seconds, and the entire procedure is over in about a half hour. The recovery period is also brief, and typically free of complications. Below, experienced New York City ophthalmologist Dr. Gregory Pamel reviews the stages of post-LASIK healing.
Recovery Phases
With the laser’s precise corneal incision, very little tissue is affected; as a result, healing is rapid. There’s no need for stitches or bandages, and your work or school routine will hardly be impacted. Within a day you will be seeing clearly, with a whole new perspective on the colors, vistas and dimensions that surround you.
Your eyes begin healing immediately after your LASIK procedure, and you should begin to see dramatic improvement in your vision within the first eight hours. Over the next few months, your vision will adjust to the new cornea shape until you achieve maximum clarity.
During the recovery period, some patients report slight fluctuations in vision, sensitivity to light, halos around lights, occasional blurring and difficulty with night driving. In addition, it is not uncommon to experience dry eyes for weeks or months. You may briefly experience a slight itching or burning sensation.
Home Care
Give your eyes room to heal efficiently by avoiding makeup, swimming, vigorous physical activity, contact sports and especially rubbing the eyes. Dr. Pamel will also advise you when it is safe for you to resume night driving.
Make sure to keep your follow-up appointments, as it allows your ophthalmologist to measure the changes in your vision and check for any complications. If you do feel pain as your eyes heal, this is actually an indicator that you need to return to the office so that your surgeon can check for infection or other side effects that require prompt attention.
The healing process is unique to each patient. Some attain their new, sharper vision quickly, while others experience some fluctuation in vision over a longer period. Only when your eyes have completely healed can Dr. Pamel fully evaluate your eye health and quantify the amount of improvement you have gained from the procedure.
To learn more about LASIK, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pamel at his Manhattan or Astoria office by contacting Pamel Vision & Laser Group today.
Posted in: LASIK
