7 Ways to Take Care of Your Eyes After LASIKin Boston, MA
Looking for a fast recovery from LASIK eye surgery? Many patients find themselves back to their normal routine within a week of their procedure. There are, however, a few simple rules to remember if you want to be free of post-surgery complications. Follow these seven tips to care for your eyes after LASIK:
Wear Your Sunglasses
After surgery, you’ll be provided with sunglasses to ensure proper protection and healing. We recommend wearing the sunglasses for the first few days after surgery. The sunglasses will help protect your eyes from damage to the cornea.
Your eyes will be particularly sensitive and prone to UV damage after LASIK, so be sure to wear sunglasses when you go outside. This is a good rule of thumb even after you’re fully healed, as UV protection is just as important for your eyes as it is for your skin.
Don’t Get Anything In Your Eyes
Your eyes will be very sensitive and prone to infection after surgery, so it’s important to keep dust and other contaminants out of them. This includes water — when you shower, be careful not to get water in your eyes, as it may irritate the corneal flap created during LASIK. The only liquid you should have in your eye are prescription eye drops, and, if allowed by your doctor, preservative-free artificial tears.
Do Not Get In a Pool or Hot Tub
Even if you keep your face out of the water, you shouldn’t go into a pool or hot tub for at least two weeks after LASIK surgery. Chlorine can be very dangerous to your eyes as they heal — it’s best to stay away from pools or hot tubs until your eyes have had enough time to recover.
Delay Wearing Makeup
Some doctors recommend avoiding eye makeup for at least a week after surgery. Ask your doctor for their recommended time frame, and until they say it’s safe, stick to makeup only worn below the nose. When you do start wearing makeup again, be safe and only used previously unopened makeup to avoid harmful bacteria buildup from used products.
Avoid Intense Activity
Avoid heavy exercise or sports for a couple weeks after LASIK. The intensity of some fitness programs can cause unnecessary strain on your eyes. When it’s time to get back to high-impact sports, be sure to wear protective goggles. Avoid contact sports entirely for at least a month.
Try Not to Rub Your Eyes
Your eyes may itch after surgery, but it is very important not to rub them for any reason. This could cause complications with your corneal flap and ultimately lead to a longer recovery period. If your eyes itch, use preservative-free artificial tears to help ease the discomfort.
LASIK Surgery, Boston and South Shore
Need more information on LASIK surgery and recovery? The eyecare experts at Nielsen Eye Center are happy to help answer your questions. Give us a call at (877) 373-2020 or schedule an appointment at one of our three locations in Quincy, Norwell, or Weymouth, Massachusetts!
