Things to Avoid During LASIK Recovery

When you get LASIK surgery your surgeon will give you specific recovery instructions.  These instructions will include a list of things you need to avoid during the recovery process.  It is very important that you follow your surgeon’s instructions exactly as you could end up injuring your eyes or slowing down the recovery process.

There are a few main things your surgeon will specifically tell you not to do.  You must avoid these activities as instructed.  The major reason for the recovery instructions the surgeon gives you is due to the nature of LASIK surgery.

When your surgery is preformed your cornea, the clear part of your eye, has a flap cut out of it so the surgeon can use the laser through that cut out area to reshape the cornea.  The flap is simply placed back onto the cornea without being secured in any way.  If left unharmed the flap will heal naturally back into place.  However, if the flap is disturbed during the healing process it could wrinkle, tear or move which could cause it to not heal properly back in place.  This would then cause vision problems.  So, it is easy to see why the surgeon will tell you some things you must avoid during your recovery.

Your surgeon will tell you to avoid contact sports.  The reason for this is that during contact sports it is very possible that someone or something could come in contact with your eye.  This could cause pain or damage to the healing cornea.  You are probably going to be restricted for the three days following surgery.

Your surgeon will also tell you to not do any activities that involve dust or floating debris.  This is because the dust or debris could get into your eye and cause damage or irritation, possibly even infection.  Things like gardening, yard work and even wearing eye makeup fall under this category.  This restriction is usually for the seven days following surgery.

Your surgeon will tell you to wear protective eye wear when you sleep.  This is because we are not aware when sleeping and you could easily rub or scratch your eye which could cause damage.  This is going to be a restriction for four weeks after surgery.

You will be told to avoid physical activity that could cause heavy sweating and to wear a headband when doing light activity.  This is to keep sweat from getting into the eye and causing irritation.  This is a restriction for four weeks after surgery.

Lastly, your surgeon will tell you to avoid swimming and other water activities as the water can be especially harmful to your healing eye.  You will be restricted for six weeks following surgery.