Tips to Reduce Discomfort after LASIK Surgery By David Gross on May 27, 2014

A woman sitting down and holding a cup of tea An increasing number of patients have experienced success with LASIK, or laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, as a popular method for correcting vision issues.

At Deen Gross Eye Center in Merrillville, we help people see better with LASIK, and our patients report dramatic results with short-lived pain. In this blog post, we discuss how patients can reduce discomfort after LASIK surgery.

LASIK Surgery and Healing

Fundamentally, all laser vision correction procedures follow a similar path by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, so the retina, in the back of the eye, can correctly focus light. LASIK treatment can correct both near and farsightedness, as well as astigmatism.

After LASIK surgery, you will rest in the recovery area for about 30 minutes before one final checkup. You won’t be able to drive, so it is important to have a friend or family member available to pick you up after surgery. Our vision centerteam will provide you with plastic shields, or goggles, to wear while sleeping, to prevent accidental damage to your eyes. Most patients wear these for the first day and night after surgery.

Once you get home, the best thing you can do to reduce pain is to keep your eyes closed and rest. This will help speed the healing process. It is in the first few hours after surgery that patients report the highest degree of pain because the action of blinking will irritate the newly created flap. By keeping your eyes closed in the hours after LASIK surgery, the flap will begin to close and patients can avoid pain. We recommend that patients take a nap upon arriving home to minimize discomfort.

Patients can also take pain medication, as directed by their LASIK surgeon, to reduce pain. Taking pain medication before the numbing eye drops wear off, and continuing to take medication every few hours thereafter will help to reduce discomfort.

Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially in the first 24 hours following surgery. At first, your vision may appear blurry, like you are looking up from the bottom of a pool. Typically, this condition significantly improves within the first 24 hours, but it can take up to several weeks to fully stabilize.

Make sure to follow your individual follow-up plan, which will likely include intermittent checkups for the next year.

Aftercare Critical to Results

Everyone reacts differently to eye surgery, so give your eyes time to heal. You can aid the recovery process by following these basic guidelines:

Don’t stress your eyes. Avoid driving, especially after the surgery but, also, until your vision improves.
Skip swimming, hot tubs, and water sports for a minimum of two weeks. When showering or taking a bath, try to keep water and soap out of your eyes.
Don’t wear eye makeup during this time.
Wear protective eyewear. Pick a pair of sunglasses offering high ultraviolet protection.