After LASIK, can you read?
Some people who have undergone LASIK wonder if they can read right away.
Twenty-four hours following LASIK surgery, reading, computer work, and watching television can be resumed. If necessary, you might wish to keep your eyes lubricated throughout these tasks. Please remember that everyone’s healing process is different, so only resume activities by your’s doctor advice and instructions.
We know that watching television, using a computer, and using a smartphone might be a significant part of your daily routine, but you should limit your screen time to 24-48 hours after having LASIK. Screens produce many light wavelengths, and continuous gazing can harm even the healthiest eyes. Limiting screen time during the first several days is especially crucial if you recover after LASIK.
What is possible following LASIK?
After LASIK surgery, there are several variables to consider, such as scheduling routine checkups with your surgeon and according to any recovery instructions that were given to you. The focus of post-LASIK treatment is on how to properly care for your eyes following surgery to get the desired outcome.
When your wound is healing, try not to rub your eyes or do anything else that can cause an infection. Eye drops will also be part of your post-LASIK treatment regimen to prevent dry eyes and keep your eyes moisturised. You might also be given medication to treat the pain that might develop over the first few days.
You must visit the doctor within 24 to 48 hours of your LASIK procedure so they can assess your healing and eyesight.
The doctors will determine whether the care plan needs to be modified. Ensure that healing is progressing as expected by scheduling follow-up appointments at least six months after surgery.
What to anticipate after LASIK and a recovery schedule?
The first 24 hours following LASIK surgery are crucial for a complete recovery. During this time, you should avoid straining your eyes. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, you can typically return to more regular daily activities a day or two after having LASIK.
The FDA advises against returning to work immediately after LASIK so that you have time to recover from the discomfort and common visual side effects, including glares and haloes around lights. Your eyes will feel hazy when you initially open them after surgery, and once the local anaesthetic wears off, you may also feel scratching and burning. This usually stops after a few hours. You can have blurry vision on the day of your surgery, but this usually goes away the following day.
Once more, it’s crucial not to rub or bump your eyes for a few days following LASIK to avoid dislodging the flap and reducing the risk of infection. After a LASIK operation, your vision may stabilise as soon as a few days afterwards, but in most cases, the healing process takes three to six months before vision stability is deemed complete.
Below are guidelines for healing and a general timeline for LASIK recovery.
- Initial six hours following LASIK: Keep your eyes closed during the first six hours following LASIK to avoid bright lighting. Immediately following surgery, you can experience some pain. Your doctor may recommend pain medication and eye drops to keep your eyes moist and free of infection.
- The first 24 hours after LASIK: Do your best to avoid putting too much strain on your eyes. Avoid using screens as much as possible, including TV, laptops, cell phones, and video games. After your surgery, you can take a shower, but avoid getting soap or other chemical products close to your eyes. If you believe your vision is adequate, you will be able to drive. It would help if you showed up for a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to discuss how your recovery is going.
- After LASIK, 1 to 2 weeks: You can begin exercising within a week of having LASIK. Use eye drops to keep your eyes from drying out, and wear sunglasses to block off the sun’s harmful rays when you’re outside. Stop using cream or lotion around the eyes that may induce infection at least a week after LASIK surgery. After LASIK, refrain from swimming for at least two weeks as the water may be contaminated.
- One month following LASIK: Typically, at this point, you can resume rigorous activities like athletics. Consider using sports goggles so that your eyes may rest.
- 3 to 6 months after LASIK: During this time, your eyes can start to recover, and your vision will gradually improve. Extreme near-sightedness or other significant refractive defects may take longer to correct because the methods required can be more invasive than those used to cure less severe disorders.
Conclusion
90% of patients will have at least 20/20 vision after LASIK, and eyesight can recover within a few months of the procedure. After LASIK, recovery is relatively short. If you follow the aftercare instructions from your doctor and the surgical team, your recovery and visual improvement will proceed more quickly.
You can read, watch TV, and operate the computer in moderation the day after your LASIK procedure. During these activities, it’s crucial to moisten your eyes with fake tear eye drops.
