Lasik Surgery - What to Expect After the Operation

A crucial post-op factor for Lasik surgery is the healing process of the attached corneal flap which was incised so that the laser beam can remodel the shape of the cornea. It is necessary for the flap to be completely healed and be re-bonded to the cornea’s external layer. The patients do not relish the thought that their corneal flap will eventually not heal and be left fluttering in the wind. However, their fear is unfounded because the eye has such healing power that even in a delicate procedure such as corneal transplants, the eye eventual heals.

Six months is the regular recovery time for most post-Lasik patients. Generally, side effects connected to the operation would have already healed to almost the normal stage. However, some things might take a bit longer to heal, such as the corneal flap. The total recovery of the corneal flap might take as long as two years. This will not cause any concern nor of any problem with your vision.

Generally, the patient is required to have not less that five post-of consultations; first of which should be done right after 24 hours of the surgery. It is of utmost importance to complete the post-op visits so the eye can be closely monitored and to determine if a "touch up" or other treatments are necessary.

Majority of the time you will be prescribed to apply eye drops from two weeks to a month following the surgical procedure. This will dissipate any pain and irritation you might suffer during the healing period.

You might experience the following side effects:

• Teary eyes and a running nose
• Hypersensitivity to strong lights
• Eye redness and minor eye inflammation
• A feeling of having dry eyes
• Blurry vision

Additional TIPS to follow following the operation are:

• There might have to drink some over the counter medicines WITHOUT aspirin such as like Tylenol or Advil to deal with small pain.
• Try your best to shield your eyes from glaring lights or sunlight by wearing a good pair of sunglasses; protect it also from water.
• During the first two to three days after the surgery, give your eyes some rest by getting extra sleep.
• Be sure to wear the eye shield that you will be provided with. Wear it in two hours time right after the procedure and also while sleeping in the next three to four days.
• Refrain from engaging in any water sports and any activities involving water, such as swimming, Jacuzzis, hot tubs, among others.
• Forget scuba diving for the next six weeks.

Side effects

There are several factors which might give rise to complications and the possibility of needing a touch-up surgery. One of the factors is the condition of your eye before you went into surgery. The higher the degree of the eye defect before surgery, the less possibility of achieving complete satisfaction with the result and the surgery will more produce some problems. For instance, if you were already using glasses for reading prior to surgery, then there is a possibility that you will still need to use them after the operation. Then if you had minor astigmatism before, resulting effect might not also be as expected. If such is the case, a second surgery might be needed. In most cases, the cost of the touch-ups is bundled with the whole Lasik treatment program. Be that as it may, the idea of going through surgery the second time around is not very comforting.

The only sure thing of when it comes to surgical procedure is that there are no guaranteed results. As a matter of fact, recuperation period for each patient varies. Some are blessed with remarkable power to heal, while some go through a protracted convalescence period after an illness or surgery.

A completely honest discussion between the prospective Lasik candidate and the Lasik surgeon and a conscientious pre-op evaluation can circumvent possible difficulties for the patient as well as the doctor. Not every patient who wants a Lasik surgery can have it.

Below are some aspects that would make an individual not a good candidate for Lasik surgery:

• Unstable degree of refraction that requires changing of prescription lens within a year before the evaluation for surgery.
• Age: Patients between 19 to 24 years old are still too young to undergo the Lasik procedure.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should stir free from any form of surgery.
• Patients with other diseases such as HIV, herpes, or diabetes, any form of surgery, including eye surgery would render dreadful results.
• Having other eye defects like large pupils and thin corneas could also be deterrents to having the Lasik procedure.