Table of contents:
- Tips for caring for eye health after LASIK
- What not to do after LASIK
- 1. Rubbing or rubbing the eyes
- 2. Use shampoo and face wash
- 3. Use cosmetics, especially in the eye area
- 4. Driving a vehicle
- 5. Swimming and boarding a plane
LASIK is an eye surgery procedure with laser technology to improve the vision of people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or cylindrical. Although its efficacy is not in doubt, LASIK is quite at risk of causing complications such as temporary blurred vision, dry eyes, inflammation, excessive tearing, infection, and corneal nerve damage. To prevent these complications, you must know the proper way to treat your eyes after LASIK.
Tips for caring for eye health after LASIK
Your doctor will prescribe medications such as antibiotics, steroid eye drops, and artificial tears that you should use to speed up recovery while avoiding the risk of complications after LASIK.
You are advised to rest your eyes or go to sleep immediately after LASIK. Your doctor may also recommend that you wear an eye patch while sleeping to prevent trauma to your eye that can be caused by involuntary movements. For example rubbing your eyes while sleeping.
Meanwhile, during activities during the day, especially if you are more outdoors, you are advised to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun exposure, dust and wind.
In addition, you also have to go back to the doctor who is done one day, one week, one month and one year after surgery to evaluate the results of surgery and monitor any complications.
What not to do after LASIK
There are several restrictions after LASIK that you should really pay attention to in order for optimal surgery results and to avoid the risk of possible complications. Among others:
1. Rubbing or rubbing the eyes
Up to 12 hours after LASIK, your eyes will feel a little itchy, reddish or feel like a lump of sand is stuck. However, do not rub or rub the itchy eye. This can ruin the results of the operation.
Rubbing your eyes is not allowed until about 3 weeks after surgery.
2. Use shampoo and face wash
For approximately a week after undergoing LASIK. You will be asked to avoid using shampoo and face wash. This prohibition aims to prevent the chemicals from these products getting into the eye and further irritating the cornea.
Ask your doctor how to minimize the risk of getting shampoo in your eyes if you want to wash your hair.
3. Use cosmetics, especially in the eye area
Like shampoo and facial soap, cosmetics are also recommended to be avoided, especially in the eye area for at least two days after surgery. Cosmetics contain fine granules that can enter and irritate the lining of the eye and can also increase the risk of infectious complications.
4. Driving a vehicle
The eye condition after LASIK has not completely returned to normal. You may find it a little more sensitive to light. Therefore, it is best to avoid long-distance driving for 2 days after surgery.
Driving short distances is fine, as long as you keep your sunglasses on, especially during the day.
5. Swimming and boarding a plane
Apart from containing chlorine and other chemicals that can irritate the eyes, many swimming pool water is contaminated with bacteria that cause eye infections that have not yet recovered. Saunas and hot baths are also prohibited.
Meanwhile, boarding a plane can cause increased pressure on the eyeball and make the eyes tired, thus slowing postoperative healing. You can only travel by plane for at least five days after LASIK.
