How to Recover From Laser Eye Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential complications when having laser eye surgery. Although rare, these complications can be serious, which is why it's important that you know how to properly recover from the operation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Know How to Recover from Laser Eye Surgery

1. Since many complications are the direct result of the detaching of the flap from the cornea, most surgeons recommend that their patients go home and sleep immediately after the surgery. This lessens the chance that the flap will become completely detached. Sleep also helps to prevent any infection from setting in while the cornea is healing. In addition, your vision will likely be blurry right after the surgery, so driving and most other activities, are out of the question. Plan on taking the entire day after just to rest.

2. Exercise and strenuous activity--especially sports--should be avoided right after the procedure, as this can impede the healing process and cause trauma to the eye. Laser eye surgery is performed by cutting a small flap in the cornea so the surgeon can reshape the eye underneath. That's why it's important to avoid anything that might damage the flap as it heals. Even something simple like rubbing your eyes can dislodge the flap and cause problems.

3. Be patient. While many people are able to see dramatically better the day after having laser eye surgery, there are some that require several months before they notice an improvement. It's not uncommon to have to wait up to 6 months for your vision to reach full capacity. During that time, you can experience daily fluctuations in vision.

4. After your surgery, your doctor will require you to come in for follow-up appointments. It's vital that you keep these appointments, even if you feel that everything is going well. Your doctor can best determine how well you're healing, check for potential infections, and ensure you're on the road to the best vision possible.

5. Keep your eyes covered. If you have to go out in bright sunlight right after laser eye surgery, make sure to wear protective sunglasses. Extremely bright sun can cause strain on the post-op eye and can cause temporary vision problems. Your sensitivity to light should diminish within a few days.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow your surgeon's post-op advice and don't deviate from it, no matter how good you feel.
• If you're experiencing pain or burning as you recover, ask your doctor for a pain reliever.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you begin to experience dry eyes, halos or starbursts around light sources, over or under correction, sensitivity to light or double vision. While some of these conditions may clear up on their own, don't take the chance.

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[JunaMcFaden]

on 2/14/2008 Vitamins for Dry Eyes
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