Surgery day
Vision is hazy for a few hours after treatment, and the eyes feel slightly gritty and light sensitive. Go home with your driver, use the drops as scheduled, and rest with your eyes closed. Shields are worn the first night. The haze lifts through the evening for many patients.
Day one
You are examined the next morning. Most patients see well already, and many are cleared to drive. The eyes may feel mildly dry or scratchy; lubricating drops handle it. Screens and reading are fine in moderation.
The first week
Normal life resumes with a few precautions:
- Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops on schedule for about a week
- No eye rubbing for the first week while the incision seals fully
- No eye makeup for about a week
- Sunglasses outdoors; light sensitivity fades within days
- Desk work from day one or two; dusty environments after a week
Weeks two to six
Swimming resumes from about a week, earlier than after LASIK because there is no flap, and contact sports from about a month with protective eyewear. Vision continues to sharpen; fine detail and night vision improve as the interface within the cornea settles. Dryness, if present, is usually mild and improving. Follow-up is typically at one week and one month.
When to call
Increasing pain, a sudden drop in vision or increasing redness with discharge should be reported the same day. 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.
