If you’re considering LASIK surgery, you’re not alone. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, more than 700,000 people in the United States have the procedure each year. LASIK (short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a refractive surgery involving using a laser to correct your vision. It can be used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Complete information about Lasik can be found on the Champion Eyecare website.
Most people wishing to undergo this procedure often wonder how long it takes before they can be back to their day-to-day activities. We have written this article to answer that very question.
How is LASIK surgery performed?
Lasik is an outpatient procedure that can be done in a surgical center, usually taking less than 30 minutes. You will be given an anesthetic to numb your eyes during the surgery. A device will be used to hold your eyelids open. The surgeon will then create a flap in the cornea. This is done with a laser or a blade. The device used will depend on the surgeon’s preference and what is best for your particular case.
Once the flap is created, the surgeon will fold it back to expose the cornea’s middle layer. This is where the correction will be made. A laser will be used to reshape the tissue. The time that the laser is used will depend on how much correction is needed. To treat myopia, the cornea is flattened to reduce the converging power of the eyes. This can be achieved by removing tissue from the center of the cornea. To treat hyperopia, the cornea is made steeper to increase the converging power of the eyes. This can be achieved by removing tissue from the outside edge of the cornea. To treat astigmatism, the cornea is made more symmetrical. This can be achieved by removing tissue from different areas of the cornea.
After the correction is made, the flap is put back into place and allowed to heal. The whole process usually takes less than 30 minutes. There is no need for stitches as the flap will heal independently.
How long does it take to recover?
The vast majority of people who have had LASIK surgery report excellent results. More than 95% of people who have the procedure say they’re satisfied with the results. And most people experience an improvement in their vision within 24 hours of having the surgery. However, it can take up to two weeks or longer for your vision to stabilize. This is because your eyes are healing and adjusting to your cornea’s new shape. You may experience some side effects during this time, such as blurry vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty seeing at night. These side effects are usually temporary and will resolve within a few days or weeks.
The day after your procedure, you will return to the surgeon’s office for a brief post-operative visit. At this appointment, the surgeon will check your eyes to make sure they heal properly. You will also be given some eye drops to help with the healing process and prevent infection. It’s important to use these eye drops as directed.
What is the recovery guideline for LASIK surgery?
Most people who have LASIK surgery experience little to no discomfort and have excellent vision within a day or two of their procedure. However, following your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions is important to ensure a smooth recovery. Be sure to:
- Rest your eyes for the first 24 hours after surgery. This means no reading, watching television, working on the computer, or any other activity that requires visual focus.
- ·Apply ice packs to your eyes for the first few hours after surgery. This will help reduce any swelling or inflammation.
- ·Use eye drops as prescribed by your surgeon. These will help keep your eyes lubricated and prevent them from becoming dry or irritated.
- Sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights after surgery. This will help to reduce any swelling.
- Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes for the first week after surgery.
- Avoid strenuous activity or contact sports for at least one week following surgery.
- For at least one month after surgery, avoid swimming, saunas, hot tubs, and other activities that could put you at risk for infection for at least one month.
- Avoid cosmetics and perfumes around the eyes for at least one week following surgery.
Are there any risks?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and potential complications. Dry eyes are a common side effect of LASIK surgery and can usually be managed with artificial tears or other eye drops. Eye infections are also relatively rare but can occur if the eye is not properly protected from bacteria or other contaminants during the healing process. Visual aberrations are another potential complication of LASIK surgery and include halos, starbursts, and double vision. These aberrations are usually temporary and resolve on their own within a few days or weeks. In rare cases, however, they can be permanent.
Conclusion
LASIK surgery is a safe and effective way to correct vision problems and improve your quality of life. With proper care and follow-up, most people experience excellent results with few or no complications. If you are considering LASIK surgery, be sure to consult with an experienced surgeon who can evaluate your risks and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.