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LASIK is a type of laser refractive eye surgery that corrects vision problems.
The laser changes the shape of the cornea to improve vision. It also allows someone to live without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.ย
Someone with normal vision has corneas that bend (refract) light precisely onto the retina. Their vision is clear and crisp at varying distances.
Someone who is nearsighted or farsighted (or has astigmatism) has corneas that bend light incorrectly. This blurs their vision.
For years, the only solution to correcting vision problems was to wear glasses or contact lenses.
But now, LASIK eye surgery reshapes the cornea to improve vision.
Thinking about LASIK? Start a conversation with an experienced Patient Counselor to find out if laser eye surgery is right for you. Learn More
The time it takes to recover from LASIK surgery varies from person to person.
For most, it takes about 6 to 12 hours for the initial post-surgery symptoms to wear off. This includes blurred vision, mild pain, itchiness, and tearing.
Most people see clearly within 24 hours after their procedure. But itโs normal to have blurred vision for up to five days.ย ย
Youโll notice immediate results after your procedure and your vision will be noticeably better within a day or two.
However, it takes several weeks for you to heal completely.
Follow your doctorโs recommendations during this time and avoid anything that could put your surgery results or your vision in jeopardy.
It can take up to six months for your vision to fully stabilize and for your eyes to completely heal from the procedure. During this time, youโll gradually notice your vision improving.
There are several things that affect how long it takes you to recover from LASIK surgery and for your vision to stabilize. For example:
LASIK is an outpatient surgery. You can return home immediately after the procedure, but youโll need someone to drive you.
Your doctor will recommend varying degrees of rest following your LASIK procedure. You should be able to return to work, day driving, and showering within 48 hours of the surgery.ย
After a week or two, your risk of infection will decrease and you can return to exercising and wearing eye makeup and creams.
Within two months, youโll be healed enough to return to contact sports, intense exercise, and swimming safely without concern for contamination.
Youโll notice vision improvement within a few hours, but it can take much longer for your vision to completely stabilize.
By the six-month mark, your vision should be stabilized and you can return completely to your normal activities.ย
Your doctor will provide you with specific information about your LASIK recovery.
Everyone is different. Your exact recommendations are based on your vision pre-surgery, overall health, and lifestyle.
Most people agree that the downtime they experience after their LASIK procedure is with the long-term improvement in vision.
Itโs normal for your eyes to feel irritated, itchy, burning, or watery immediately following LASIK surgery.
Youโll initially have mild pain that clears up within a few hours or days.
Ask your doctor about medication or eye drops if youโre concerned about discomfort.
Following surgery, youโll be able to see but itโs likely to be blurry for a few hours or days. It takes up to six months for your vision to fully stabilize.
How much your vision improves after undergoing LASIK depends on the severity of your vision issues beforehand.
Youโll see your doctor a day or two after surgery for a follow-up examination and a few more times over the first six months following the procedure.ย
Questions about LASIK? Call NVISION to speak with an experienced Patient Counselor who can answer all your questions and set up a free consultation. No commitment required.
Youโll be able to see immediately after LASIK, but youโll have blurry vision.
Most people achieve 20/25 vision after surgery, but it takes several weeks or a few months for your vision to stabilize.
Approximately 80 percent of people undergoing LASIK no longer need to wear corrective lenses once their vision stabilizes.ย
In rare instances, people need an enhancement procedure due to under-correction.
Even rarer is a personโs vision returning to its previous level before surgery. This is usually due to hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, or abnormal wound healing.ย
In some cases, people who undergo LASIK see better than those who have standard 20/20 eyesight.ย
Medical professionals consider LASIK a safe and effective procedure. But like all medical procedures, some risk is involved.ย
Rarely experienced complications include:
Common side effects immediately after LASIK that last a few hours or days include:
NVISION Eye Centers offer custom LASIK, affordable pricing plans, and a lifetime guarantee. Learn More
Here are nine tips for protecting your eyesight after LASIK surgery:
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Still not sure about LASIK? Talk with an experienced Patient Counselor at NVISION to find out if it's right for you.
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