Five Best Ways To Prepare For Your Recovery After Lasik Surgery

In the overwhelming majority of cases, healing from a LASIK procedure is relatively fast and, happily, uneventful. However, as with most surgeries, even so-called minor ones for vision correction, your doctor may recommend that you take a few days off from work to recuperate.
Every surgical procedure has its unique effects, both intended and unintended, and will require you to be on the alert for any post-operative complications. With what is now known about the procedure, following years of experience and study, your doctor can help you learn the five best ways to prepare for your recovery after LASIK eye surgery.
1. Do your homework beforehand. You most likely did some research when you were contemplating the procedure, and the many available sources of information about LASIK—your physician, the surgery center or hospital, the Internet or the library—cover all the bases from the choice of doctor to your recovery. Every good doctor wants patients who are interested and involved, and who go into an operation with a clear and confident attitude.
2. Think ahead. Whether you live alone, are married with children or are a college student living in a dorm, there are many practical considerations. Although LASIK eye surgery will not, in all but rare cases, inhibit your mobility or affect your body’s other systems, you are supposed to rest. Therefore, arrange for the help you need around the house, and take care of details like bill paying before the post-operative period where your eyes may be sensitive. Remember, you won’t be driving for a day or two, either.
3. Learn about stress reduction techniques. The last thing you need to do for your few recovery days is worry about the operation, your job, the house—anything. If you know some breathing and calming exercises, get in some practice time. If you don’t, then learn some. We’re not talking transcendental meditation or crystal gazing here (although if they work to relax you, that's great). It is well established scientifically that our mind and body work together to affect our healing process, often in ways still quite mysterious.
4. Know what to expect, physically. You may have some mild irritation or pain for a short time after the surgery, and your vision may even be blurry the following day. Learn what is normal and expected so that you do not overreact to the common, non-threatening reactions to the LASIK surgery.
5. Be ready for anything. Keep your doctor’s phone number handy—and a phone to go along with it. If you do experience uncommon, aggravating side effects, call your doctor immediately. These side effects include pain, dryness of the eyes, glare, itchiness, a “halo” effect around nighttime lights, persistent sensitivity and reddish/pinkish spots in the whites of the eyes. Any combination of these effects is possible, certainly, but they usually disappear quickly and are rarely permanent. Another post-operative consideration is the possibility of complications, or “negative outcomes,” of various kinds and durations. One of the non-monetary costs of any vision correction procedure is the diligence you must show in preparing for the operation, while at the same time preparing to monitor your own recovery.
These complications will normally present themselves soon after the LASIK vision correction. The operation may have resulted in over- or under-correction of the condition, problems often improved with glasses or contact lenses. There may be scarring of the cornea, or a “warping” of it, and there is also the chance of corneal infection. Additionally, you should watch for a decrease in your contrast sensitivity following LASIK eye surgery, as well as in the sharpness of your vision.
A wise old professor once taught his students a simple lesson for success, which he called the “Four ‘P’ Method.” That quartet of Ps stand for “planning prevents poor performance.” Follow the old teacher’s advice and your LASIK eye surgery, as well as your recovery from it, will be safe, effective and life-enhancing.
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