Posted by: Manhattan LASIK Center
Laser vision correction procedures are one of the best ways to achieve sharp, clear vision and reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts. Whether you choose LASIK, ZEISS SMILE, or EVO ICL, you can expect laser vision correction to improve your visual acuity and boost your quality of life.
Modern laser vision correction procedures are safe, effective, and take less than an hour to complete. Many patients remark that the recovery process is easier than expected, and they can quickly return to normal activities.
However, as quick and easy as recovery can be, taking care of your eyes in the weeks following your procedure is still essential. Giving them time to heal and following your surgeon’s instructions will ease recovery and ensure your eyes are healthy after correcting your vision.
Keep reading to learn the best post-surgery tips and tricks for a smooth transition after ZEISS SMILE, LASIK, or EVO ICL.
Protect Your Eyes
One of the best ways to encourage healing is to prevent anything from putting pressure on your eyes. That includes your own hands!
You should avoid touching or rubbing your eyes because that could irritate incisions created during your procedure and slow down the healing process. It also increases the risk of infection since you can transfer germs from your hands to your eyes.
Your surgeon at Manhattan LASIK Center will give you an eye shield that you should wear overnight for as long as directed. The shield will prevent you from inadvertently rubbing your eyes in your sleep and protect them if you press your face into the pillow.
Use Medications as Directed
You will receive prescription eye drops to prevent infection and optimize healing by reducing inflammation. Use these exactly as directed.
Your eyes may feel better before you finish your prescription. However, you should continue using them until your surgeon tells you otherwise.
If you miss a dose, ask your surgeon about the best course of action.
Go to Your Follow-up Appointments
Follow-up appointments are a crucial component of healthy eyes. You’ll need to schedule your first follow-up appointment the day after your, EVO ICL, PRK or LASIK procedure at Manhattan LASIK Center. For ZEISS SMILE procedures, we schedule the first follow-up appointment within the first two weeks after a patient’s procedure. Since the SMILE procedure is minimally invasive and does not involve a flap, there is no need for a next-day checkup to monitor the healing process.
Your follow-up appointment is a crucial opportunity for your eye doctor to determine how your eyes are healing and ensure there are no signs of infection or complications. However, your follow-up appointment is also an excellent opportunity to ask any questions about how your eyes feel in the first 24 hours after correcting your vision.
In addition, you should call your eye doctor immediately if you notice new or worsening pain in your eyes, discharge, or any vision changes. These could be signs of infection or other complications.
Get Plenty of Rest
It’s time to rest once you get home from your vision correction procedure. Resting your eyes is the best way to begin your recovery.
Avoid straining your eyes by not using any digital devices like your phone or computer. Listen to podcasts or music you enjoy. The next day, you can start returning to the things you enjoy while doing them with improved vision.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
You must avoid strenuous physical activities for several weeks after your LASIK, PRK or EVO ICLa vision correction procedure. Working out, lifting heavy objects, bending, and physical labor can increase the chances of incision complications or how a corneal flap heals.
Ask your eye doctor for specific recommendations on when you can resume strenuous activity, particularly any physical activities that pertain to your job. If you have an especially physically intense job, they can write a letter to your employer explaining what activities are restricted and when you may be able to resume your normal job duties.
With the SMILE procedure, you can return to working out the very next day following your procedure! That’s why a lot of our patients with an active lifestyle prefer to get the SMILE procedure.
No Swimming
You can bathe or shower normally after vision correction procedures. However, you need to be careful not to get soap, shampoo, or water in your eyes.
Tap water can contain bacteria that could cause infections or other complications during recovery. Protect your eyes by closing them while showering and making sure not to get any water in them.
Only go swimming or use hot tubs once your eye doctor tells you it’s safe to do so. Plan to stay out of pools, beaches, lakes, and water parks for several weeks after your LASIK, PRK or EVO ICL vision correction procedure. With the SMILE procedure, due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, you can continue swimming the next day following your procedure!
Steer Clear of Makeup
You should not wear makeup near your eyes for several weeks after a LASIK, PRK or EVO ICL procedure. You may also want to avoid the area around your eyes when applying skincare products.
The ingredients in makeup and skin creams can contain ingredients or fragrances that irritate the healing tissue of your eyes. There is also the risk of getting residue from makeup or skincare products in your eye, which could affect healing or increase the chance of infection.
Likewise, your fingers or other tools for applying makeup can transfer germs to your eyes, which is another infection risk.
With the SMILE procedure, you can start wearing makeup the very next day following your procedure! Since there is no flap involved in the SMILE procedure, the risk of infection is significantly lower.
When In Doubt, Contact Your Eye Doctor
Call your eye doctor if you have any questions about your recovery from ZEISS SMILE, PRK, LASIK, or EVO ICL. They can tell you which activities are safe and which you should avoid for longer to keep your eyes safe.
You should also call if you have any symptoms that concern you. New or worsening pain, new or increased discharge from your eyes, redness, swelling, or vision changes can all be signs of post-procedure complications.
Most complications, including infections, can be treated, but it’s better to get help right away, rather away than wait. Following instructions from your eye doctor will help you have the smoothest recovery after a vision correction procedure.
Once you have recovered, you can look forward to all the amazing benefits of vision correction procedures, like reduced dependence on glasses and contacts, and enjoying crystal-clear vision 24/7.
“Getting Zeiss SMILE at Manhattan LASIK Center changed my life! I had very bad vision and astigmatism. Previously, I went to two other LASIK centers near my hometown but ended up not being a candidate for Traditional LASIK due to dry eyes. However, I was a candidate for the Zeiss SMILE procedure since it is suitable for those with dry eyes.
SMILE is worth the investment, the recovery is quick and it does not cause dry eyes. After two decades of bad vision, I can finally see without glasses or contacts, all thanks to Dr. Buchsbaum and Manhattan LASIK Center! The freedom of waking up and seeing everything crystal clear or doing simple things such as wearing sunglasses without putting on contact lenses is the best feeling.” – Stephanie C., SMILE Patient
Are you ready to change your life with a vision correction procedure? Schedule your consultation at Manhattan LASIK Center in Westchester, NY, today! Now is the perfect time to achieve better vision!
