Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a laser eye surgery that can correct imperfections in your cornea, helping to improve your eyesight. The prospect of no longer needing glasses or contact lenses to see is exciting, but you should heal from your surgery before you get there. Below are a few things to avoid after LASIK eye surgery for a speedy and complication-free recovery:
Exposing Your Eyes to Water
Your cornea needs to heal after LASIK surgery, and direct contact with water may cause complications. Water may dry out your eyes or cause irritation and infection, prolonging recovery. Avoid activities like swimming, which can increase your risk of getting water into your eyes. If you must swim, wear goggles, and keep your eyes closed underwater. Hot tubs, steamy showers, and saunas can also expose your eyes to water, so you want to avoid them.
Even if it feels like your eyes have healed, avoid exposing them to water without consulting your doctor. An experienced eye doctor may track your recovery and clear you for swimming and other water activities when they are sure your eyes can handle it.
Wearing Eye Makeup
Avoid being quick to apply eye makeup after your surgery, as you risk infecting your eyes. Your eye makeup and makeup tools may be loaded with bacteria, especially if you have been using them for a long time. If any of these bacteria get into your eyes, they may cause an infection, resulting in complications.
Give your eyes time to recover before exposing them to makeup. Replacing your eye makeup after LASIK eye surgery can also be a good idea. If your old eye makeup has bacteria, it may irritate your eyes. This can cause you to rub on them, damaging your cornea and affecting your eyesight.
Rubbing Your Eyes
You put pressure on the surface of your eyes whenever you rub them. This can cause damage after eye surgery. Rubbing or putting pressure on your eye surface may also interfere with healing. Germs accumulate on your hands as you touch different surfaces. After surgery, you may get an infection if you touch your unhealed eyes with unsanitary hands.
Your eyes may feel itchy after LASIK surgery. Resist the urge to rub them. Use artificial tears to flush out any particles that get into your eyes. Staying away from smoky and dusty environments can help you avoid irritants that may tempt you to rub your eyes.
Looking at Artificial Light
The artificial light on your computer and mobile phone screen can cause eye strain, which may dry out your eyes. Your eyes are delicate after surgery, and straining them may result in discomfort. Stay away from your TV, phone, and computer for the first few days after your surgery to give your eyes time to recover. Even after those few days after surgery, you may need to use lubricating eye drops whenever you stare at a screen for a long time.
Participating in Strenuous Exercises
If you play sports or go to the gym, take a break until you get clearance from your eye doctor. Contact sports like football, wrestling, and boxing put you at risk of accidental eye injuries. Strenuous exercise routines may strain your eyes, resulting in pain if you just had eye surgery.
Strenuous exercise and sports may cause you to perspire enough to get sweat into your eyes. Sweat is salty and can irritate your eyes. Sweat in your eyes when you just had eye surgery may also result in an infection.
Exposing Yourself to Sunlight
Direct sunlight can expose your eyes to harmful UV rays that may cause eye damage. Exposing your eyes to direct sunlight after LASIK surgery may also cause pain or irritation. Stay indoors for a few days after your surgery to avoid direct sunlight.
Try Lasik Eye Surgery and Enjoy the Benefits
Getting LASIK eye surgery can be a great option if you are tired of wearing glasses or contacts. If you follow your doctor’s post-op instructions, you should recover from your eye surgery in no time. Having an experienced ophthalmologist do your surgery can also improve your quick recovery chances. Take the necessary steps to improve your eye health today.