What to Expect During LASIK Recovery in Binghamton, NY

Considering the effect LASIK can have in correcting a range of refractive vision issues, it’s surprising how simple, quick, and low-risk this particular laser eye surgery is. This is especially true when you trust Daniel Sambursky, M.D., the most experienced refractive surgeon in the Southern Tier, with your vision correction. From pre-op to recovery, our goal is to make sure you have a great experience with us. Today, we’ll focus on the days, weeks, and months after LASIK, walking you through exactly what you should expect during LASIK recovery.

The First 24 Hours After LASIK

One of the benefits of LASIK surgery is its short recovery, but you can still expect some blurry vision or mild discomfort immediately after the procedure.

As the numbing agent wears off, you may experience a slight itching, burning, or gritty feeling in your eyes. You can alleviate this with prescription pain medication (or over-the-counter pain relievers) and eye drops. Your vision may also be blurry or foggy, and you may see halos around lights. The average patient starts to adjust to their new sight over the first 24 hours.

You will need someone to drive you home after the surgery, and you should cover your eyes with eye shields whenever possible. Most patients find that napping and taking it easy for a day after surgery — using their eyes as little as they can — helps ease recovery.

You may also have other mild symptoms including excessive watering, puffy skin around your eyes, and light sensitivity. Most patients also report mild vision fluctuations over the next few days and weeks. If these symptoms persist, alert your eye surgeon.

If you have questions immediately after surgery, you’ll have a check-up with Dr. Sambursky and his team the day after — we encourage you to ask about anything you might be feeling, no matter how minor it seems.

What Should You Avoid After LASIK?

In the first few weeks after LASIK, you shouldn’t do anything that will touch, strain, or get debris in your eyes. Showering is fine, as long as you avoid eye contact with soap or water . Other activities to avoid include the following:

• Rubbing your eyes
• Exercising or other vigorous physical work
• Looking at screens for a prolonged amount of time
• Swimming in a pool, lake, or other body of water
• Spending time in dusty or smoky places
• Exposing yourself to allergens
• Applying makeup
• Getting close to small children or animals
• Driving (until your surgeon tells you otherwise)

Do You Need Time Off Work After Laser Eye Surgery?

Most LASIK patients can resume their normal activities after 24 hours, but you should wait until you’re cleared to do so. While many LASIK patients can return to work 24 to 48 hours after their eye surgery, you shouldn’t make that decision without a professional opinion. Because you won’t know what your individual needs will be until after your procedure, you may want to let your employer know that you may need to a miss a few extra days to ensure your long-lasting, healthy vision.

The First Few Weeks After LASIK

Because LASIK has such a short recovery time, after the first week or so, your eye care will mostly consist of maintenance. You should keep up with whatever eye drop protocol Dr. Sambursky prescribes to you, continue using protective eyewear, and avoid getting anything in your eyes. Occasional check-ins will gauge your recovery progress during this time.

You can resume most daily activities, such as driving and light exercise, as long as you’re careful to not put your healing eyes at risk. For this reason, you shouldn’t use makeup for at least a week after laser eye surgery. Serious physical labor, contact sports, and any swimming should be avoided for at least a month — you may be able to sooner with your surgeon’s blessing, but that decision occurs on a case-by-case basis.

How Long Does It Take to Completely Recover from Laser Eye Surgery?

Most patients will only have minor side effects after the first few weeks post-LASIK, and your vision will be noticeably improved just a few days after surgery. By this time, your sight will be near the peak of its improvement. That said, vision can take longer to 100% stabilize — about 3 to 6 months. How long this final stabilization takes depends on the severity of your vision correction and other factors involving the specifics of your eyes. Follow-up appointments will track your progress, so you can understand how your recovery is going.

Trust Daniel Sambursky, M.D. for Smooth Recovery After LASIK

Daniel Sambursky, M.D., has performed over 35,000 LASIK surgeries in his career, helping improve both the vision and the lives of patients in Binghamton, Johnson City and throughout the Southern Tier. With compassion, expertise, and experience, Dr. Sambursky and his team can provide excellent surgery, and then help you through that recovery process at the pace that’s best for you.

To find out more, call (607) 766-9002 or schedule an appointment.