Rubbing Eyes After LASIK

Are you planning your LASIK procedure and would like to know how to ensure that your recovery period is problem-free? If you’re like the majority of people, you likely would like to know what to do – and what to avoid – for optimum outcomes, which is why many people wonder how much of a result rubbing your eyes can have during your recovery.

Risks of Rubbing Eyes After LASIK Surgery

Immediately following your LASIK procedure, you will be sent out home using a set of goggles implied to protect your eyes as they recover. Eye protection is required at this time, as the flap made in your cornea during surgery is now closing (as part of the body’s natural recovery procedure). Rubbing eyes after LASIK or even touching eye at this time could cause the flap to become displaced, hindering the healing process and having an adverse result on your vision. Though this issue is rather rare, it ought to still be thought about and prevented through proper after-surgery care methods.

So just how long should you avoid rubbing your eyes after LASIK? As a good rule of thumb, you must only put light pressure (with no rubbing) on the eyes for the first two weeks post-op. After this time, and for a few months, it is alright to carefully rub your eyes.

How Long After LASIK Can I Rub My Eyes?

You can’t rub your eyes for at least a month after LASIK. If you are stressed that you may unconsciously rub your eyes in the evening, that’s what the protective goggle you will wear for the first 2 weeks or so are there for.

More Tips for a Safe LASIK Recovery

Your first post-operative consultation will be 24 to 48 hours after your LASIK eye surgery. Your LASIK physician will test your vision, ensure your eyes are healing properly, and address any questions you might have. It is typically ok to resume driving after this visit. Also, at this consultation, you will make your subsequent follow-up appointments, which can be anywhere from 1 week, three weeks, three months, and six months after your laser surgery, depending on your needs and your physician’s suggestion.

Continue to use the prescribed drops and/or medications to lube your eyes. Keep wearing your eye guards while you sleep, and refrain from touching or rubbing your eyes. Creams, creams, and eye make-up must likewise be avoided for about seven days after LASIK surgery.

It’s a good concept to protect your eyes anytime you are outside day or night, for the first 2-3 weeks following LASIK surgery. Sunglasses work well for this during the day, and clear protective glasses can be used while out in the evening.

While you’ll have the ability to resume most activities after a day approximately, you’ll want to limit exhausting activity, continue to rest your eyes, and prevent tasks that might result in getting dust or dirt in them. While many people return to work the day following their LASIK eye surgery, others take a bit more time.

Continue to prevent getting water in your eyes within the first 72 hours after a laser eye surgery procedure. Water activities such as swimming and jacuzzis must be avoided for several weeks.

Reading, dealing with the computer system and viewing television can be resumed 24 hours after LASIK surgery. If necessary, you might wish to keep your eyes lubricated throughout these activities.

Everyone’s healing pattern is distinct so be sure to resume activities based on your physician’s direction and recommendation.

What other methods can you guarantee a safe recovery with the best results? Here are some things to do, and some things not to do, during your recovery period:

DO:

• Use artificial tears to keep eyes lubricated
• Keep your follow-up consultations with your doctor, to check your healing
• Use dark sunglasses that block UV rays when in sunlight
• Anticipate small redness and eye inflammation for the first couple of days
• Rest the day of surgery
• Use eye protection day and night for the first three days

DON’T:

• Use pool or jacuzzis for two weeks
• Drive for the first 24 hours
• Apply creams, creams or makeup to your eye area for one week
• Exercise for one week
• Read, view TV or work on the computer for the first 24 hours