Laser Eye Surgery Recovery Time & Information
At the end of the LASIK procedure, you will have transparent plastic shields placed over your eyes to protect them. It’s important that you keep these in place until they are removed at your appointment the day after your laser eye surgery. To help reduce the recovery time, you will be required to wear the shields while sleeping for 1 night to prevent your eyes being knocked or rubbed during sleep.
When you have laser eye surgery at WA Laser Eye Centre, your recovery time will reduce dramatically compared to other procedures. Click here to learn more.
Within 6 hours after your laser eye surgery, your vision will start to become quite clear. We encourage you to go home and sleep during your recovery time, so your eyes can heal. The local anesthetic wears off within half an hour after the procedure, and your eyes will start to feel irritable and very sensitive to light. You’ll find it difficult to keep your eyes open, and they will water for several hours afterwards, which is why it’s best to go home and rest with them closed for a few hours.
You will be given some analgesic tablets, we use Panadeine, to assist you during the recovery time. You can take more of these if you like, or any analgesic medication you are comfortable with, such as Panadol or Nurofen, later if required.
The following day after your laser eye surgery, you will attend a post-operative consultation. Our surgeon will check your eyes and give further post-operative instructions regarding eye drops and recovery care.
The Recovery Time Frame
You will be able to make out your surroundings immediately after the procedure. After approximately 6 hours your vision will become quite clear. Your vision will continue to improve day by day for a week or so after your laser eye surgery. You will also be aware of further subtle improvement for up to 3 months.