A person’s eye usually takes 2–3 months to heal after laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK) surgery. However, certain factors may affect a person’s recovery time.
LASIK is a surgical procedure that uses lasers to correct certain vision problems. LASIK surgery is a common treatment for people with vision problems due to refractive errors.
During the procedure, a surgeon uses a laser to
In this article, we outline what a person can expect in the period after LASIK surgery. We also outline possible side effects and steps a person can take to manage their recovery.
A person can expect to experience different effects at various points after the procedure.
Immediately after
In the period immediately after LASIK surgery, a person
- a burning sensation in the eye
- itching of the eye
- a feeling that there is something in their eye
The eyes may also tear or water during this period, and vision may be hazy or blurry. People’s eyes may be sensitive to light for the first few days.
A medical professional
They may also ask the person to wear a clear shield over their affected eye for several nights to help protect the eye while they sleep.
24–48 hours after
A person will often see their eye doctor within the first
During this first visit, the doctor may test the person’s vision and examine their eye. They may also give the person more eye drops, which can help prevent infection or inflammation.
A doctor may recommend using artificial tears to help lubricate the eye and ease discomfort after surgery.
People should avoid wearing contact lenses in the eye that received the surgery.
In most cases, a person can return to work the day after the procedure.
People must wait up
1–3 weeks after
For the first several weeks after surgery, it is common for a person to experience the following:
- some blurred vision
- changes of vision
- dry eyes
- visual glares or halos that appear around lights
Up to 6 months after
It generally takes
A person will often have regular follow-up visits with their eye doctor for up to 6 months. Sometimes, these visits will continue for longer, depending on a person’s recovery.
During these visits, a specialist will check the following:
- whether a person’s vision has improved
- how the eyes are healing
- whether the person is experiencing any side effects from the treatment
If a person has experienced side effects such as dry eyes or visual disturbances, these will usually disappear within the first few months after surgery.
Beyond 6 months after surgery, if a person is still experiencing vision issues, their eye doctor may recommend they undergo another laser surgery procedure, called an enhancement. This is a similar procedure to LASIK that aims to fine-tune the person’s eyesight.
Several possible LASIK surgery complications may affect a person’s recovery.
Flap dislocation
During LASIK surgery, the surgeon
The flap begins to heal immediately after the surgery.
In rare cases, a person may experience a flap dislocation during recovery. This is where the flap moves from its intended place.
Flap dislocation occurs in approximately
Flap dislocation may cause a person to experience the following:
- pain
- blurred vision
- eye discomfort in bright light
Medical professionals often consider flap dislocation an emergency. Immediate treatment is important to help prevent possible complications. A doctor usually performs a surgical procedure to reposition the flap.
This complication may affect a person’s recovery time as they will have to wait for the flap to heal again.
Dry eye
Dry eye is the most common complication of LASIK surgery.
Symptoms of dry eye include:
- decreased time for the eyes to become dry after each blink
- reduced sensitivity of the cornea
- decreased sharpness of vision
These symptoms often last for around 1 month after LASIK surgery. However, a small number of people can experience these symptoms for a year or longer.
Infections
LASIK surgery is generally safe. However, in some very rare cases, a person may develop an infection in their eye after the procedure. Less than
To lower their risk of developing an eye infection, a person should follow medical advice on postoperative care.
A doctor may ask a person to follow several steps to help them aid their recovery after LASIK surgery.
These steps
- avoiding the use of lotions, creams, or makeup around the eye for 2 weeks
- continuing to scrub eyelashes for some time after surgery
- avoiding swimming and hot tub use for 1–2 months
- avoiding strenuous activities, such as boxing, football, and karate, for at least 4 weeks after surgery
- ensuring nothing gets in the eyes in the first few weeks
- protecting the eyes from being hit or bumped
A person will also instinctively want to rub their eye in the first few days after surgery. However, they should not do this, as it may dislodge the flap.
Not following the steps above may lengthen a person’s recovery time.
There are several types of laser eye surgery, including:
LASIK
During LASIK surgery, a surgeon makes a very small flap in the tissue of the cornea. They lift this flap back and hold it in place.
The surgeon then reshapes the cornea using a laser. Once complete, the surgeon folds the flap back down and smoothes it into position, where it will heal in place.
Photorefractive keratectomy
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an outpatient procedure that usually takes around 15 minutes.
During this procedure, the doctor removes the outer layer of cells on the cornea. They can do this with the following:
- a brush
- a blade
- an alcohol solution
The doctor will then ask the person to stare at a target light, so their eyes do not move while the doctor reshapes the cornea using a laser.
Small incision lenticule extraction
Small incision lenticule extraction is a slightly newer type of laser surgery for refractive errors.
During this procedure, a doctor will use a suction ring to lift and flatten the cornea before sculpting a disc-shaped piece of the cornea below the surface of the eye using a laser.
The laser makes a small incision in the cornea, giving the surgeon access to the disc the laser formed.
The surgeon will then remove the disc-shaped piece of the cornea through the incision. This process reshapes the cornea.
During LASIK surgery, a doctor makes a small flap in the eye to reveal the tissues underneath. They can then use a laser to reshape a person’s cornea to adjust a refractive error.
The eye usually takes 2–3 months to heal afterward, and a person’s vision is often fully stable and clear around 6 months later. However, they may experience some effects in the first few weeks and months after the surgery, such as blurred vision, changes to vision, and visual glares.
Certain factors may affect a person’s recovery time, such as flap dislocation, dry eye, and infections.