Proceedure

After the LASIK procedure, your eye may feel irritation or a foreign body sensation, or your eye may tear or water for a few hours. If you experience discomfort, your doctor may suggest you take a mild pain reliever. Most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap while wearing the protective eye shields. Some LASIK patients may wear the eye shields while sleeping during the first few days. Do not rub your eyes during the early healing stage. It is not unusual for dryness in your eyes to last for several days. In some patients this can be longer.

Most LASIK patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure. However, the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly.

Returning to Normal Activities
Many patients return to work within a day or two of the procedure. You will need to follow the restrictions mentioned below. Otherwise, as long as you follow your doctor's instructions, you should be free to resume all your normal activities.

• Wait one full day before taking a shower.
• Wait one day to one week, as your doctor advises, before resuming driving.
• Wear sunglasses for the first few days.
• Read and watch TV in moderation the first few days.
• Do not wear eye makeup for four days.
• Do not rub your eyes for one week.
• Do not exercise for one week.
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs and whirlpools for one week.
• Avoid gardening and dusty environments for one week.
• Avoid contact sports that could result in an eye injury for one month.
• Smoking is allowed, but you will probably find smoke very irritating.