Vision problems can create major obstacles in people’s lives. Not only do they stop one from achieving excellence in their field, but they also make daily chores difficult. Nowadays, vision problems like myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism are on the rise. Thankfully, there is a solution to this problem in the form of laser eye surgeries, such as LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy).
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser Eye Surgery is a medical procedure, which leverages laser technology to correct vision problems. It is a great solution for people who do not want to wear glasses or reduce their dependence on glasses. In most cases, it’s used to treat refractive errors. These errors impact how light is bent by the eye, which results in blurry vision.
What You Can Expect After Undergoing Laser Eye Surgery?
Although laser eye surgery is beneficial for those suffering from eye problems, it can still lead to certain symptoms that may be uncomfortable at first. So, let’s explore some symptoms that you might encounter after undergoing laser eye surgery.
Symptoms that may appear right after the surgery
- Vision becomes blurry: It’s normal for your vision to be blurry or hazy immediately after the surgery. In most cases, these symptoms subside gradually in a few hours or some days.
- Feeling uncomfortable: You may feel a gritty sensation in your eyes. It might feel like you have sand in your eyes. It’s common to experience burning, itching, or watery eyes during the first 24 hours.
- Light sensitivity may increase: Your eyes may be more sensitive to light than in the past before you underwent this surgery. Wearing sunglasses, especially in bright environments, can help reduce the sensitivity and make you feel comfortable.
- Dry eyes: Temporary dryness is common after laser eye surgery. This happens because the surgery affects our tear production temporarily. In this case, your doctor may prescribe lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
Things to do in the first two days after surgery to reduce symptoms
- Keep your eyes rested to quicken recovery: It’s crucial to rest your eyes as much as possible. You should refrain from indulging in activities that can strain your vision. Some of the activities you should avoid are reading, using screens, or driving, especially on the day of the surgery.
- Don’t miss your follow-up appointment with your eye surgeon: You’ll likely have a follow-up appointment with your ophthalmologist within 24-48 hours to ensure your eyes are healing properly.
- Don’t use makeup or lotions: Avoid using eye makeup, lotions, or creams around your eyes for at least a week to prevent infection or irritation.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes: A corneal cap is created during LASIK eye surgery. It is possible that rubbing your eyes can dislodge the corneal flap. If you can’t control the urge to rub your eyes, use the prescribed eye drops for relief instead.
What will happen in the first 7 days after surgery?
- You will experience a slow and steady improvement in your vision: Your vision will gradually stabilize over the first week. However, some patients may take longer to recover. But there is no need to worry as it’s normal to experience fluctuations in vision during this time.
- Wear protective eyewear: Your doctor may provide you with protective goggles to wear while sleeping. These goggles prevent accidental rubbing of your eyes during the night.
- Reduce the time spent on activities: Avoid strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting, swimming, and high-impact sports, for at least a week to reduce the risk of complications.
- Make use of eye drops: It is highly recommended that you continue using the prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops as directed to prevent infection and promote healing.
Common side effects experienced by some patients
- Halos and glare: Some patients start seeing halos or glare around lights. This is more frequent during the nighttime. This is a common side effect and usually improves within a few weeks to months.
- Dry eyes: The sensation of dry eyes can stay with you for several weeks to months. Your doctor may recommend using artificial tears to manage this symptom.
- Reduced Night Vision: You may notice difficulty with night vision initially, but this often improves as your eyes heal.
What to expect in the long term?
- Vision will stabilize after a while: While many patients notice significant improvement within the first few days, it may take up to three to six months for your vision to fully stabilize. During this period, regular follow-up appointments are essential.
- Minimal prescription: In some cases, patients may still need glasses or contact lenses for specific tasks. For instance, reading or night driving may still require glasses. This is common for patients who had severe refractive errors before surgery.
Final Thoughts
Laser eye surgery can be an excellent way to fix the issue for anyone experiencing vision problems due to refractive errors. However, it is important that you get the eye surgery done by the best eye surgeons like A/Prof Chameen Samarawickrama to ensure that you get the best results from your surgery.