Laser eye surgery, like the LASIK procedure, helps many people see better. If you’ve had the surgery, you might feel pain or discomfort as your eyes heal. This guide will show you simple tips on how to relieve pain after laser eye surgery.
What Happens After Laser Eye Surgery?
After LASIK eye surgery, your eyes need some time to heal. This is because the surgery changes the shape of your cornea, which is the clear part of your eye.
The first few days after the surgery are important because your eyes adjust to the changes. You might feel slight discomfort, but that’s part of the healing process.
Your eyes may also feel dry, scratchy, or even gritty. This can happen because your eyes are not making as many tears right after the surgery. You might also notice that your vision is blurry at first. Again, this is normal and should get better over time.
Common Pain After Laser Refractive Surgery
If you feel pain after laser eye surgery, don’t worry; it will get better with time. Taking care of your eyes as your doctor suggests will help you feel more comfortable and heal faster.
Mild Discomfort Or Pain
You may feel a little pain or discomfort after laser eye surgery. Your eyes might feel dry, gritty, or itchy. These feelings are normal and usually go away in a few hours or days. You may also feel some mild pain for a few weeks.
Sensitivity To Light
After the surgery, you might notice that bright lights hurt your eyes. This is called light sensitivity. It is common, and wearing sunglasses outside can help a lot.
Dry Eyes
Your eyes might feel dry or scratchy after the surgery. This happens because your body makes fewer tears for a short time. It can feel uncomfortable, but using drops can help a lot.
Blurry Vision
You might see blurry for a little while after the surgery. This is normal, and your vision will get better as your eyes heal.
Although your eyes will heal on their own, there are things you can do to make the process easier and faster.
Following your doctor’s advice, using the right medicated eye drops and taking care of your eyes can reduce pain. Don’t worry—your eyes are in good hands, and soon, you can enjoy clear vision again.
How To Relieve Pain After Laser Eye Surgery
There are many easy ways to help reduce post-LASIK pain. These tips can help you feel comfortable and recover faster.
Remember, your eyes need time to adjust, but these steps can make recovery easier.
Use Eye Drops
Eye drops are very helpful after surgery. They keep your eyes moist and can make them feel more comfortable. Your doctor will tell you which drops to use and their frequencies.
It’s important to use the drops as your doctor says. Regular use can help reduce dryness and improve eye health.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
It is very important to listen to your doctor after surgery. They will give you instructions on how to take care of your eyes. This may include:
- Using the right drops.
- Not rubbing your eyes (because this can dislodge your corneal flap).
- Wearing protective shields while you sleep.
Following these steps will help you heal well and make the pain go away faster.
Rest Your Eyes
Your eyes need rest to heal. After surgery, try not to stare at screens or read for a long time. It’s a good idea to take breaks every 20 minutes. Resting your eyes helps them heal and can make them feel better faster.
Wear Sunglasses
Bright lights can hurt your eyes after surgery. Wearing sunglasses should help protect your eyes from bright light. Sunglasses also protect your eyes from dust, wind, and other things that could harm them. Wear them whenever you go outside.
Take Pain Medication
If your eyes hurt a little, you can take medicine to help with the pain. Over-the-counter medicine can help. But be sure to talk to your eye doctor before taking any medicine. They will make sure it’s okay for you.
Keep Your Eyes Hydrated
After surgery, your eyes can feel dry. To keep your eyes comfortable, use liquid tears or lubricating eye drops. Drinking lots of water can also help keep your body and eyes hydrated, which helps them heal.
When To See Your Doctor
- Feel severe pain.
- Have a blurry vision that doesn’t go away.
- Notice any problems with your eyes.
They can check your eyes and make sure everything is healing properly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long will I feel pain after LASIK surgery?
You might feel some pain or discomfort for a few hours or days. People might start feeling better in a few days, but some might have mild pain for a few weeks.
Can I go back to work right after LASIK surgery?
You may need to take a few days off to let your eyes heal. Rest your eyes during the first few days. Avoid staring at screens or reading for long periods.
After a few days, you should be able to return to normal activities but follow your doctor’s advice.
How long should I wear eye shields after LASIK surgery?
Your doctor might tell you to wear eye shields while you sleep for the first few nights. This helps protect your eyes from accidental contact and prevents rubbing. Follow your doctor’s instructions for how long to wear the shields.
Can I exercise after LASIK surgery?
It’s important to rest for the first few days after LASIK surgery. To prevent eye injury, you should avoid strenuous activities for at least a week. Follow your doctor’s advice to know when it is safe to resume regular activities.
Can I wear makeup after LASIK surgery?
It’s best to avoid wearing eye makeup for at least a week after LASIK surgery. This helps prevent any irritation or infection in the eye area. Your doctor will tell you when it’s okay to start wearing makeup again.
Concluding Remarks
After laser eye surgery, it’s normal to feel some discomfort or pain. But don’t worry! With the right care, your eyes will heal, and you will feel better soon. Use eye drops, follow your doctor’s advice, wear sunglasses, and rest your eyes.
If you have any concerns, always talk to your doctor. They are there to help you and make sure your recovery goes well.
If you’re ready to see without contact lenses or glasses, Dr Ed is here in Melbourne to help! He will answer your questions and guide you through your recovery. If you need advice or want to book an appointment, just call Dr Edward Roufail at (03) 9071 0180!
Note: Surgical or invasive procedures carry inherent risks. As part of our standard practice, we thoroughly discuss these risks during the consent process before any surgical procedure. Your understanding and comfort are our utmost priority.
Sources:
Boyd K 2023. Laser Surgery Recovery Tubert D, editor. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/laser-surgery-recovery [Accessed November 14, 2024]
Meštrović T 2023. LASIK Complications. News-Medical. Available at: https://www.news-medical.net/health/LASIK-Complications.aspx [Accessed November 14, 2024]
Rowden A 2024. What to Know About LASIK Recovery and Side Effects. Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-to-know-about-lasik-recovery-and-its-effects [Accessed November 14, 2024]
Silver N 2021. What Causes Dry Eyes After LASIK Surgery, and How to Treat Them. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-eye/dry-eyes-after-lasik [Accessed November 14, 2024]
