If you're going to be having Lasik eye surgery to correct your vision, you want to make sure you're prepared for the recovery. Knowing what you can and can't do during your recovery period will help you avoid post-operative complications. To prevent complications, here are four things you shouldn't do while you're recovering from Lasik eye surgery.
Don't Shower
While you're recovering from surgery, it's important that you keep water and personal hygiene products out of your eyes. Getting soap and water in your eyes can lead to infections and other complications. Reduce the chances of getting soap and water in your eyes, take baths instead of showers until your eyes have healed. Your optometrist will be able to tell you when it's safe to shower again.
Avoid Facial Products
If you use facial product such as cleansers, moisturizers or makeup, you should avoid those during your recovery period. It's particularly important that you avoid wearing eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner, as particles from those products can get into your eyes and cause post-operative infections. Play it safe and avoid all facial products until your optometrist gives you the go-ahead.
Avoid Direct Sun
Your eyes are going to be sensitive to sunlight for the first few days following surgery. If you're going to go outside – even for short periods of time – you'll need to wear sunglasses. You should also wear a hat that will provide shade for your entire face. While sunglasses do provide frontal protection, your eyes can still be exposed to the sun from the top and sides of your sunglasses. For maximum protection, try to sit in a shaded area when you go outside for the first few days after surgery.
Don't Put Your Fingers in Your Eyes
Your fingers should not be anywhere near your eyes while you're recovering from Lasik eye surgery. This includes rubbing your eyes if they itch. Your fingers can damage your eyes following surgery. Not only that but your fingers may be carrying germs that could be transferred to your eyes, which could cause a serious post-operative infection. If the itching becomes problematic during recovery, don't itch. Call your optometrist.
Lasik eye surgery is an effective way to correct vision problems. However, during recovery, you'll need to provide extra protection for your eyes. Use the information provided here to prepare for the recovery period. If you develop a fever or increased pain at the surgical site, be sure to contact your optometrist as soon as possible. To learn more about Lasik, contact a company like Master Eye Associates.
Share10 June 2016
Hi, I'm Deena, and as I neared middle age, I noticed that my eyesight wasn't as good as it used to be. I first started out needing reading glasses to read the small print in magazines, and then a few months later, I had to put them on to see the computer screen clearly. I knew by then that my eyes were getting worse and that I needed to do something quickly. I made an appointment with the optometrist and the doctor gave me an eye exam. Even though my sight wasn't as bad as I had feared, I still needed prescription glasses. I love my new glasses because I can actually see now. I have put together a lot of information about eye problems, eye tests and even various types of eye wear so that others don't wait as long as I did to see the eye doctor.