Soyou have completed your LASIK surgery (Or still researching) and now you’re thinking about what’s best to do (and not do!)on your recovery process. You have probably heard stories of what other people experienced and you are wondering how you can minimize the complications after your LASIK surgery. Keep reading and follow these simple tips.
Avoid physical contact to the eyes
In a LASIK surgery, what happens is your surgeon will create a “flap” in your cornea. Although this “flap” was returned to its original position, but there are still chances for this “flap” to dislodge when your eyes or the area around them received physical trauma. This isbecause the only thing that is holding this flap to your eye is your tissue pressure. No glue or stitches is used to hold these two together. This condition is called “corneal flap dislodgement”. So how can you avoid this? By protecting your eyes from physical contact. Do not rub your eyes, even if you feel itchy. Try to use eyedrops instead to reduce the discomfort. Protect your eyes from physical contact and it will minimize complications.
Wear UV protected sunglasses
For at leasta fewmonths after your LASIK surgery, you will need to diligently wear a UV protected sunglasses when you go outside during the day! Not only protecting your eyes from the harmfulUV rays from the sun, it can also help you to prevent yourself from rubbing your eyes accidentally.
Avoid water to the eyes
You need to stay away from water during your recovery. The goal is to avoid getting water (which might contains bacteria) into your eyes to prevent infection. Therefore it is not advised for LASIK patients to do activities that involve water like swimming and relaxing in a jacuzzi for a few weeks after the surgery. Sauna is also not recommended, because sauna uses steam and steam means contact with water.
However, yes there will still be activities in your everyday life that requires you to interact withwater, such as taking a bath and washing your face. Close your eyes when you are showering or washing your face, to prevent water or soap from getting into your eyes. If it’s raining, stay indoors as much as you can because rain water is dirty — so this is even worse than filtered water.
Listen to your surgeon’s advise
Okay, this is going to sound very basic and nothing new, but this is so crucial. Listen well to your surgeon and don’t compromise. Your surgeon knows your condition best. He or she is experienced in handling LASIK recovery and in making sure you don’t experience complications. So from before your LASIK surgery, to after your LASIK surgery, take careful notes of all the tips he or she tells you to do or not do. Even if it seems complicated or different than how you would normally do things, but stick to what your surgeon says. He or she knows your condition best.
Keep a list of dos and don’ts in your phone and maybe go through them periodically to make sure you don’t miss out on any of them. Set alarms for your medications so you don’t forget to take them on time. Schedule your appointments well so you won’t miss your post-op consultations with your surgeon.
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