What is the recovery time frame for LASIK? What does recovery look like?
Most people are aware of the benefits of laser eye surgery today, and many have LASIK on their wishlist. Sometimes, though, we find that patients wonder what the recovery time for LASIK is. They aren’t sure what recovering from LASIK is like, or if there is a better time of year to go ahead with the procedure than another. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.
Recovering from LASIK
LASIK is not only a very quick surgery (the actual laser is used for less than a minute per eye), but recovering from LASIK is also usually a breeze. While you technically don’t need to take time off from work, it’s a good idea to give your eyes a break from driving, screens and general strain for a couple days if possible and avoid swimming for one to two weeks. That’s it; otherwise, you’ll have a smooth transition back into normal life.
Travel
LASIK is fast and easy, and the recovery period is minimal. You will have a couple of follow-up appointments in the month following your procedure. So, if you have any trips planned, it’s best to get your LASIK at least six weeks in advance or upon returning back home.
Seasonality
There’s really no better time of the year than another to get LASIK, unless you have extenuating circumstances.
For example, if you tend to have eye allergies that flare up in a certain season, you might want to get your laser eye surgery done at a different time of the year. This is because patients often experience dryness in the eye for a little while after the procedure, so you don’t want your allergies to exacerbate this - and vice versa.
Another example is the avid swimmers out there. If you’re in the pool every day over the summer, you might want to avoid these months for your procedure, since you’ll have to stay out of chlorinated water for one to two weeks post-surgery.
Other than these instances, seasonality doesn’t really affect LASIK. So, feel free to schedule your procedure any time of the year.
Events
Finally, think about your personal calendar for the year. Do you have a couple of weddings to attend in back-to-back months? Is December unusually busy for you? Are you preparing to embark on adventurous travels later in the year? Depending on your plans, you might want to be strategic about how you schedule LASIK.
Almost always, it’s best to get the procedure ahead of any events, so you can enjoy the benefits of laser eye surgery during them. But if your plans might interfere with your follow-up appointments, then it could be a good idea to wait until after.
Depending on your own schedule and circumstances, recovering from LASIK is minimal. Our patients regularly tell us they only wish they had done it sooner, so our best advice is to not delay.