Wondering how long it’ll be before you can go back to work and return to your usual activities after LASIK eye surgery? At Horizon Eye Care, our team of Charlotte LASIK doctors understands that knowledge is power. That’s why we’ll walk you through what to expect before, during, and after LASIK, including the typical LASIK recovery process, and answer questions about LASIK so you can decide with confidence whether LASIK is right for you.
Preparing for LASIK Recovery
Preparing for LASIK recovery starts before your procedure. Ask your surgeon what kind of eyedrops you’ll be using to minimize inflammation and reduce the risk of infection after LASIK, then fill those prescriptions so they’re waiting for you at home. Other preparations may include:
- Planning to have someone else drive you home after LASIK
- Taking a day or two off work, if possible
- Setting aside a place to rest with lubricating drops, sunglasses, tissues, music, and other entertainment
The First Few Hours After LASIK
Right after LASIK, expect:
- Blurry vision
- Watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- A gritty, sandy, or otherwise uncomfortable sensation in the eyes, also known as a foreign-body sensation
- Mild burning
- Increased tearing
Some people also experience swelling, crusting, and discharge. Once the numbing drops wear off, some people feel pain or discomfort, too, although LASIK is considered one of the most comfortable vision-correction surgeries available.
It’s best to avoid screens, strenuous activity, and other straining activities after LASIK and keep your eyes closed for a couple of hours. Wear the protective shields you’re given until bedtime to protect your eyes. Wear the shields again at night so you won’t rub your eyes while sleeping. Don’t rub your eyes during LASIK recovery, since even slight pressure on the cornea could interfere with the healing process.
Day 1: The First 24 Hours
At this point, your eyes are probably still blurry, dry, and sensitive to light, but you should see an improvement compared to immediately after the procedure. Don’t drive or wear eye makeup, avoid swimming, specifically in hot tubs and pools, and continue to avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting. Follow your doctor’s instructions about LASIK eyedrops.
Come in for a follow-up appointment the next day, where your doctor will look over your progress and clear you to drive, return to work, and resume your usual non-contact sports.
| LASIK Recovery Activity Timeline | |
| Activity | When You Can Resume |
| Driving | 1-7 days (with doctor clearance) |
| Computer work/reading | Day 1-2 (with breaks) |
| Light exercise (walking) | Day 2-3 |
| Moderate exercise (jogging, gym) | Week 1 |
| Swimming (pools) | 2 weeks (with goggles) |
| Swimming (lakes/ocean) | 4 weeks |
| Contact sports | 4 weeks (with protection) |
| Eye makeup | 1 week |
| Hot tubs/saunas | 2 weeks |
| Flying | Usually day 1-2 |
Days 2 to 7: The First Week
During the first week after LASIK, you can return to normal, non-strenuous activities, including work, driving, and light exercise, as soon as your doctor gives you the OK at your Day 1 appointment. During this time:
- Your vision will continue to improve
- Your eyes may be dry
- You may be sensitive to bright lights
- You might see halos or glare around lights, especially at night
Follow your doctor’s instructions about LASIK recovery, including how to use your LASIK eyedrops. Continue to avoid swimming (without goggles) and contact sports. Keep up with your aftercare plan.
Weeks 2 to 4: Stabilizing Vision
During the second and third weeks after LASIK, your vision should be much more stable. Dryness could get worse during this time but will start improving soon. During these weeks:
- Your vision should be fairly stable
- You may still see halos and glare around lights, especially at night
- You may have worse-than-usual dry eye symptoms
Keep using your eyedrops as directed. You should be able to get back to wearing eye makeup after LASIK at this point, too, as long as you’re confident that your makeup and applicators are clean. After two weeks, you can swim in a pool with goggles on, too. In weeks 3 to 4, you’ll be able to return to contact sports. Make sure you’re using eye protection during contact sports. Avoid smoky and dusty environments during LASIK recovery, too, since smoke, dust, and other air particles can make your eyes feel drier.
Months 2 to 3: Final Healing
By now, your corneas will be healed, your prescription should be stable, and any halos or glare you were experiencing should be reduced. During this time, your surgeon will evaluate your progress during a follow-up visit around the 3-month mark. At the three-month visit, your doctor can discuss options for an enhancement procedure, if needed.
What’s to Expect After LASIK
What’s Normal vs. When to Call Your Doctor
It’s important to monitor your healing after LASIK. Here’s what’s normal to feel and see as you heal. If you experience any of the following, however, give us a call. There’s a doctor on call at Horizon Eye Care around the clock to make sure your eyes are healing properly. Call (704) 365-0555 as soon as possible if you experience:
- Sudden decrease in vision
- Pain that eyedrops don’t control
- Worsening redness or swelling
- Crusting or discharge that lasts more than a couple of days
- New spots in your field of vision, flashes, etc.
Normal Symptoms During LASIK Recovery
Remember that you may experience the following during LASIK recovery:
- Halos or glare around lights
- Blurry vision
- Eye pain
- Redness
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Watery or dry eyes
- Swelling
- Crusting or discharge
LASIK Recovery Tips
To help with LASIK recovery, use artificial tears as directed, blink frequently, take a break from screens every 20 minutes or so, set alarms to make sure you’re remembering to use your LASIK eyedrops as directed, and more.
Ready to learn more about LASIK at Horizon Eye Care in Charlotte? Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced ophthalmologists or optometrists today.
How quickly can I return to normal activities after LASIK?
Horizon Eye Care board-certified LASIK surgeons will go over which activities are OK once you’ve been examined and determined to be an excellent candidate for LASIK. But in general, here’s what you can expect after LASIK:
Most people who sit at desks or work at computers can return to work within a day or two after LASIK with the surgeon’s OK. If your job entails lifting or exposure to dust or debris, plan to be out for a few more days.
Most Important: Do Not Rub Your Eyes
Do NOT rub your eyes after LASIK. Rubbing can disrupt the delicate corneal flap created during surgery and interfere with healing. If your eyes itch or water, use lubricating drops or gently dab around your eyelids with a clean tissue instead. Avoid rubbing until your surgeon confirms that it’s safe to do so.
LASIK Recovery Timeline FAQs
How long before I can watch TV or use my phone?
For most people, a day after LASIK surgery. However, LASIK temporarily worsens dryness, so limit viewing time at first.
How long before I can wear sunglasses
Immediately after LASIK. Your eyes will be sensitive to bright light after LASIK, so wearing sunglasses will make you more comfortable and protect against harmful UV rays as eyes heal during the first week.
Can I expect to have good vision right away?
You’ll likely see significant improvement within the first 24 hours after LASIK, but it will take two or three months for eyesight to completely sharpen and settle in.
Will my vision be clear and consistent right away?
No. Vision tends to be inconsistent each day in the first few weeks of LASIK healing as your cornea heals and the tear films covering eyes stabilize.
How long do I need to take eye drops after LASIK?
Horizon Eye Care surgeons prescribe drops for about a week after LASIK. Preservative-free lubricating eye drops can be used for weeks or even months after LASIK for dryness until they’re no longer comfortable.
Schedule a LASIK Consultation
Horizon Eye Care surgeons are happy to answer your questions about LASIK in Charlotte. Call our eye care practice today at (704) 365-0555 to learn more. We’ll be upfront about whether or not LASIK will give you the vision you’re looking forward to.
