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Understanding lasik recovery

The next few days after LASIK.

Your vision will clear dramatically within hours — but your cornea needs about a week to heal properly. Follow these steps and recovery is usually quick and uneventful.

healed flap edge day 1 · all good
Day-by-day healing Hour 0surgery done Day 120/20 likely Week 1drops + shields Month 1fully healed Most recovery happens in the first week
What's happening

A tiny flap is healing into place.

During LASIK we created a thin hinged flap in the top layer of your cornea and reshaped the tissue underneath with a laser. The flap was laid back into place — no stitches.

Within hours, the flap begins to seal itself. By day 1, it's stable. Full healing takes about a week. During that time, the flap is more vulnerable to displacement, which is why we ask you to avoid rubbing and wear shields at night.

What helps

Here's the plan —
and why it works.

Day 0 (today)

Rest your eyes

Take the nap we recommended — eyes closed for 2–4 hours after surgery is genuinely therapeutic. Start your drops when you wake.

Day 1

Morning follow-up

We'll check the flap and your vision. This visit is essential — don't skip. Most restrictions lift afterward.

Days 1-7

Drops + shields

Antibiotic + steroid drops on a schedule. Shields at night. Preservative-free artificial tears during the day.

Week 2-4

Fine-tuning

Vision stabilizes. Dry eye improves. Most patients feel fully back to normal by week 4.

Call us immediately if

You experience severe pain (not just scratchiness), significant decrease in vision, heavy discharge, or suspect you rubbed or bumped the eye. The flap can be gently repositioned if caught early.

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Common questions

Honest answers to common questions.

When will I see clearly?+

Most patients see 20/20 or close to it within 24 hours. Some fluctuation is normal for the first week — vision may be clearer in the morning and a bit hazier by evening as your eyes tire. By week 2–4, it stabilizes.

Can I shower? Wash my hair?+

Shower right away — just keep soap and water out of your eyes for a week. Tilt your head back when shampooing. No swimming pools, hot tubs, or ocean for 2 weeks.

Why do I need the shields at night?+

One week, just at bedtime. They prevent you from accidentally rubbing or bumping the eye while asleep — a poke during deep sleep can dislocate the flap.

My eyes feel dry and gritty. Is that normal?+

Very. Dry eye is the most common LASIK side effect and usually improves over weeks to months. Use preservative-free artificial tears liberally — as often as every hour the first week, less often as healing progresses.

Can I watch TV? Look at my phone?+

Yes, but take breaks. Your eyes blink less when staring at screens, which can worsen dryness. Use the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 min, look 20 feet away for 20 sec). Artificial tears help.

When can I drive?+

When you can see the eye chart clearly at your Day 1 visit — usually the same day or next day. Nighttime driving may feel odd for a week (halos around lights). These usually fade.

When can I exercise?+

Walking right away. Light exercise after 3 days. No swimming or contact sports for 2 weeks. Avoid anything where sweat could drip into your eyes the first few days.

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