Understanding LASIK NJ Recovery: What You Need to Know
After LASIK surgery, it takes around 2 to 3 months for the eyes to heal. But there are certain factors that may affect that recovery period. This article will walk you through some tips on how you can successfully recover after your surgery as well as things that you should avoid. First,
Find someone that will help you settle at home after the surgery.
It’s a general requirement to come with someone when you are going for a surgery. That person will be responsible for taking you home because you won’t be able to drive or take public transportation due to temporary blurred vision and light sensitivity. Once you arrive home, the friend will also tuck you into bed, help put the eye drops given to you at the clinic and prepare a meal for you.
Wear something comfortable on the surgery day.
After the surgery, you may feel drowsy due to the relaxation medications that were given to you and experience some blurry vision. Make sure you wear something comfortable so once you go home, you will go straight to your bed.
Visit here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774 to learn more about the LASIK process.
Organize your post-op meals before surgery.
This is specifically for people who live alone. You won’t want to start cutting vegetables with blurry vision. Moreover, it’s not easy and unsafe. It’s best to cook your meals ahead of time and stock it in your microwave or order for a delivery. Consider using stocking paper plates and cups so you don’t have to wash dishes after the surgery.
Eat before the surgery.
LASIK doesn’t require anesthesia; you only get some numbing eye drops and medications to curb anxiety where necessary. You should have a good meal before the LASIK NJ procedure because you don’t know what you will feel after and you may want to sleep for hours or till the next day to rest your eyes. You will wake up famished, especially if you didn’t eat a heavy meal before the surgery.
Store your eye drops in the refrigerator.
The surgeon will give you some anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops because you may likely experience dry eyes early during the recovery process. That’s why it’s necessary to lubricate the eyes frequently. Keep some in your pocket so you can apply at intervals and store the rest in your refrigerator.
Use a lightweight cold compress to place over your eyes.
If you are undergoing a PRK, using a cool not freezing, lightweight compress over your eyelids and forehead can help reduce the irritation. This will allow you to sleep more comfortably. But before using the compress on your eyes, seek your doctor’s approval first.
Shower and wash your hair on the morning of your surgery.
Most patients are advised not to wet their eyes for some days after their surgery directly. Naturally, washing your hair increases the chances of water getting into your eyes. That’s why patients are asked not to shower for 24 hours and to avoid washing their hair or face for a few days.
But you can still wear damp wash clothes to clean your face and your eyes. If unfortunately, you accidentally get water out into your eyes, don’t rub them.Instead, use artificial tears to rinse them and remove the irrigation gently. Still, on this topic, you should strictly avoid saunas and hot tubs for at least one month after your surgery.
Get some help with your pets for a day or two.
It’s dangerous for both you and your pet if you are stumbling around your home with eye shields on because the light will affect your eyes and if you have a PRK you can’t see clearly through the contact lens band-aids. Find someone who will take care of your pets by feeding them and walking them before you recover. If possible, send your pets somewhere else to your family or friends for some days so you can concentrate on recovery.
Set up your cell phone for comfort.
Enlarge your phone’s text size and turn down the screen brightness to reduce post-op eye strain and dry eyes because it will reduce the time required for you to send out texts. For people with an iPhone, you can ask Siri to read notifications or text their friends, so you don’t even have to come in direct contact with the phone screen. Your eyes will surely thank you for doing this beforehand.
Have acetaminophen as a back-up to any prescription pain medication.
The truth about Lasik is that most patients recover without experiencing intense pain that will require them to take medications. But if you develop discomfort or headache after the procedure, consider taking acetaminophen to manage the pain or the pain reliever prescribed to you by the surgeon.
PRK patients usually experience a certain degree of post-op pain for a few days after their surgery. They will be given medication to manage it but it’s still good to have acetaminophen with you for breakthrough pain between the medication doses or to manage moderate pain.
Remember: rest is vital!
Lastly, avoid jumping back into your daily life immediately after surgery even though you are happy to see clearly and want to go back to your routine right away, give your eyes some time to recover. This is highly important for people whose work requires computers or cell phones daily. Giving your eyes the required time to recover is important for healing and will allow them to heal faster.
Click here to learn more about the complications of LASIK surgery.
Conclusion
After LASIK, you want to recover as fast as possible so you can go back to your life activities. This article has explained some tips that can help you during the healing phase. But keep in mind that regardless of how eager you are, it’s essential to give your eyes the amount of time it requires to recover fully and to avoid infecting or irritating them.
