There are a lot of factors that can determine a person's recovery time after they receive LASIK eye surgery. A lot will depend upon how well they follow their surgeon's instructions for their eye care post-surgery, as well as how careful they are with their eyes for about 48 hours to a week following their LASIK surgery.

It is very possible that it can take up to three to six months for a person to fully recover and have their vision stabilize after they have LASIK. There are many vision abnormalities that may occur and this is all part of the healing process. If any vision abnormalities (such as halos, ghosts, regular or irregular astigmatism, reduction of vision clarity for a short time, or starburst) continue after six months, it is possible that they may be permanent. Some people require follow-up surgery after they have fully recovered if these visions problems persist.

The first day after LASIK eye surgery

Usually people can return to their normal activities soon after surgery. But they should make sure to follow their doctor's special instructions if they receive any. And it can also be very helpful to the LASIK recovery process if during the first 24 to 48 hours after a person has LASIK, they keep their eyes closed as much as they possibly can. Keeping their eyes closed can help prevent debris from entering the eyes and give the eyes some time to heal.

During the first seven days after LASIK

A person who is recovering from LASIK eye surgery should not rub their eyes for the first seven days after surgery. When they shower they should not let any water hit them directly in the eye, or let shampoo or soap get in their eyes. As long as the person lubricates their eyes they should be able to work on the computer, read, or watch television.

If a person recovering from LASIK wants to exercise they can, but they should make sure to only participate in light exercise and keep the any sweat out of their eyes. They should definitely avoid swimming as their form of exercise for the first week after surgery.

What to do when recovering from LASIK

A person who is recovering from LASIK needs to make sure they take the steroids, antibiotics that they were prescribed, as well as the other medications that can help them with their dry eye syndrome. The person should also stick with a schedule with their eye drops and the other medications. Keeping on a schedule can help the eyes heal sooner than if the medication is taken one day and forgotten the next.

It is also important that they wear a protective eye covering. When they sleep they can wear an eye shield to protect their eyes from damage that can occur from nighttime movement. Using goggles or eye patches can help protect eyes when someone showers or to prevent them from wanting to rub their eyes.

What not to do when recovering from LASIK

A person recovering from LASIK eye surgery should not wear any eye makeup for at least one week following their surgery. They should also be very careful with creams and face lotions near their eye; it is probably best if they avoid them if they can. A person should also not touch their eyes, or rub them as this can cause damage to the eye.