The first evening
After a short rest and a flap check you go home with a driver. For four to six hours the eyes water, feel gritty and are sensitive to light, and vision is hazy. This is the surface epithelium sealing over the flap edge. The plan is simple: take the drops as scheduled, keep the eyes closed as much as possible and sleep. Protective shields are worn that night and for several nights afterward so you cannot rub the eyes in your sleep.
Day one
Most patients wake with vision that is already much clearer, if slightly filmy. You are examined that morning; the flap is checked, the drop schedule is confirmed, and most patients are cleared to drive. Screens are fine in short sessions. The eyes will feel dry, and lubricating drops are used frequently whether or not they feel needed.
The first week
Back at work for most people, with a few rules:
- No eye rubbing, at any time, for any reason
- No eye makeup, and keep soap and water out of the eyes when washing your face
- No swimming, hot tubs, saunas or dusty and smoky environments
- Sunglasses outdoors, because light sensitivity lingers
- Lubricating drops several times a day, and the medicated drops on schedule
An examination at about one week typically confirms the flap has settled and the surface is healing normally.
Weeks two to four
Eye makeup, light exercise and, after two weeks, swimming return. Vision is good but may vary through the day, particularly in the evening when the eyes are drier. Halos and starbursts around lights at night are common in this period and fade as the cornea's surface smooths. A visit at about one month typically checks your vision and healing.
Months one to three
Dryness continues to improve as the corneal nerves that were interrupted by the flap regrow; this is the slowest part of healing and the reason lubricating drops are continued for three months even if the eyes feel comfortable. Contact sports resume at one month with protective eyewear. By three months vision has reached its final quality for most patients, and this is the point at which any small residual prescription would be assessed for an enhancement.
When to call
Increasing pain rather than improving comfort, a sudden drop in vision, or a change after the eye has been rubbed or bumped should be reported the same day. A displaced flap is rare and can usually be repositioned if it is seen quickly. Call our office at (855) 456-2253.
Is this right for your eyes?
Nothing on this page is a diagnosis. Whether this is the right choice for you is decided by a full examination at one of our 4 offices: Pasadena, Huntington Beach, Woodland Hills and Beverly Hills.
About this content: This page was written with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Bavand Youssefzadeh, DO. It is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace an eye examination. Individual results vary. Read our medical disclaimer.
