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The Recovery Process after LASIK Surgery

LASIK eye surgery is a popular procedure that can correct your vision problems. It is a good solution for farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. There are rapid results offered by LASIK and you will experience minimal discomfort during the procedure and afterwards. In this article, we will look into the recovery process.

When you go into your first LASIK surgery consultation, you will be explained the benefits and the risks that come with the surgery. The eye surgeon will also check whether you are an ideal candidate for this procedure. Immediately after LASIK surgery, you will have some mild irritation or discomfort in your eyes and there can be temporary changes in your vision as well. It is quite common to have light sensitivity or experience a gritting sensation in the hours following the surgery but these tend to subside within a few hours. And many patients tend to notice significant improvement in their vision immediately afterwards. In the initial recovery process, there is post-operative instructions that you will need to follow. You may be instructed to use eye drops to lubricate the eyes so that inflammation and infection can be prevented. You are advised to avoid rubbing your eyes or to engage in strenuous activities. Swimming is to be avoided as well. These activities can increase the risk of complications.

In the first few days following LASIK surgery, you have to protect your eyes

There will be scheduled follow up appointments that you will need to go for with your eye surgeon so that they can monitor your progress. They will check whether your eyes are healing properly. There will be additional examinations carried out so that the stability of your vision can be assessed. If there are any complications, this is the stage at which they will be addressed. In the first one or two weeks, there will be gradual improvement in your vision. This will happen when your cornea starts to heal and stabilise. Some patients will be able to achieve their desired level of vision after a few days but others will need more time for their vision to stabilise. There may be some mild symptoms such as glare, dryness or halos around lights that you can experience at this time. Dryness and discomfort can be alleviated with lubricating eye drops.

In the months following the surgery

You will notice a significant improvement in your vision and this will enhance your quality of life as well. There is a smooth recovery process for most patients but you need to be vigilant for any signs of complications. If you notice any unexpected changes in your vision, you can contact the eye surgeon immediately. The long term recovery of LASIK involves ongoing monitoring of your vision and going for regular eye exams to check whether your eyes are stable and healthy. You have to understand that vision can change over time fie to hormonal changes, ageing etc. There will be periodical check-ups recommended by the eye surgeon so that the stability of your vision can be assessed.

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