LASIK / Recovery
After Laser Vision Correction
Recovery from LASIK and SMILE is amazingly quick. Most people return to their normal life the day after LASIK or SMILE. Your vision should seem at least 90-95%% improved the very next day, and we expect you to drive, go back to work or take care of your kids the first day after your treatment. You can travel in a plane the next day and exercise is fine. The main restriction is that we want you to avoid getting dirty water in the eye for the first week, including swimming pools, saunas and Jacuzzis. Showering is fine, just don’t let the shower water hit your eyes directly for the first week. Also, please use limited make-up around the eyes for three days.
Most (but not all) PRK patients are driving and going back to work the very next day, but many take longer to return to regular activities such as night driving. Most PRK patients say their vision is about 80-85% improved the first day, and slowly improves from that point onward. The initial healing from PRK takes 5-7 days, and the vision becomes much better after the initial healing phase is complete.
There are few if any procedures in all of medicine that compare to Laser Vision Correction in terms of the ease, quickness, lack of pain and extremely rapid recovery. Your eyes will be corrected and you should be back to living your (vastly improved) life the very next day!