Do's and Don'ts After LASIK Surgery

LASIK is extremely safe surgery. With an experienced surgeon who uses the latest technology, patients should expect a swift and smooth procedure, with quick results, and a short period of post-operative discomfort. However, it is still necessary that patients also follow a basic set of guidelines to ensure that they don't encounter any unnecessary problems.

Do keep to your follow up schedule with your eye doctor. Generally, post-operative visits may be scheduled 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after LASIK. Occasionally the doctor may call you more often or less often, depending on your progress. It is important that you note the follow up visit dates and visit the doctor on the appointed date and time.

Do follow the schedule for medications (i.e., eye drops) prescribed to you by your eye doctor. If you sometimes miss or forget to put a drop on schedule, put it in as soon as you remember, and put in the next drop on schedule.

Do handle the medication with clean hands, and don't inadvertently injure the eye in putting eye drops. If you find it difficult to put the drops, have a friend or relative put them for you. Keep the medication bottles in a clean, cool and dry place. Don't share medication bottles with someone else. If you inadvertently touch the open nozzle of the bottle, or it falls down, replace the bottle. You must protect yourself from infection.

While bathing, make sure you are not allowing soap or water to enter the eyes. Don't splash water into the eyes. If they feel dry, use artificial tears instead. Do however wash your face and area around the eyes (while keeping the eyes closed). Don't allow all manner of muck to accumulate on or around the eye lids.

Avoid activities where water or smoke will get into the eyes for the first couple of months after LASIK. Avoid smoky bars, avoid swimming, and avoid Jacuzzi's etc.

Do wear sunglasses while you go out into the sun, or in smoky and dusty areas.

Don't use eye makeup (i.e., eye shadow, eye liner) for around 2 months after LASIK or till you are on medication. Similarly don't wear cosmetic contact lenses for the time you are on medication.

For the first couple of months, avoid contact sports, or sports which may cause your eyes to get injured. Even after the first couple of months, please do take care that your eyes don't get poked or injured during sports or holi and so on.

Start doing all your normal activities after the first day, on which you should be taking it easy. Don't over strain your eyes post-LASIK, but don't be too conscious of having undergone the surgery. Just start living your life normally, and the more you use your new vision, the more likely you will recover fast.

If your vision suddenly gets blurred, or you get sudden sharp pain or your eyes get very red and angry, please do schedule a visit to your eye doctor as soon as possible. Don't overreact either; wait for a couple of hours for the symptoms to persist before raising the alarm.