When can I stop wearing sunglasses indoors after LASIK? (2023)

How long do you have to wear sunglasses outside after LASIK?

While you can get back to your regular routine in a few days after the LASIK procedure, you'll still need to wear your sunglasses for at least a week after the process. While the flap may feel as though it has healed all the way, it may still experience some irritation and discomfort.

Eye protection: To prevent eye-rubbing the first night, we recommend wearing sunglasses to bed. For the first 24 hours after surgery, it is important that you wear your sunglasses at all times, both indoors and outdoors.

As you continue to heal from your LASIK procedure it is recommended that you wear high-quality sunglasses anytime you are outdoors, even on a cloudy day. If your eyes are exposed to UV rays without protection shortly after the surgery, your eyes may suffer from corneal haze which means a hazy or foggy view.

When the flap moves out of place, it's referred to as LASIK flap dislocation. If you're wondering how to tell if your LASIK flap has moved, rest assured that you'll know. Symptoms include pain, discomfort, watering, and/or blurry vision.

It may be advised to avoid wearing mascara for up to two weeks following the treatment. We particularly recommend against wearing any type of waterproof mascara during this time as it can be more difficult to remove and can irritate your eyes.

You should avoid looking at digital devices for 24 hours after your LASIK surgery. Our laser eye surgeons advise patients to rest their eyes by keeping them closed or taking a nap. You should also avoid other visually demanding activities like reading.

You are advised to wear the goggles while you sleep for a week to two weeks after surgery, when your eyes will be at their most vulnerable to damage if you scratch or otherwise disturb them.

A Guide to Post-LASIK Facial Cleansing

Generally speaking, you should wait at least 24 hours after LASIK before washing your face. This is the same guideline that we give our patients for showering. As with showering, you need to avoid getting soap and water in your eyes for a minimum of several days.

Flap complications – The flap that is created during LASIK surgery is initially quite delicate. It needs to stay in place without disruption in order to heal properly. When you rub your eyes, you risk moving the flap out of place, hindering your healing.

Average Time Before LASIK Enhancement Is Requested

LASIK enhancement is often requested five to ten years after the initial procedure. Your LASIK surgeon will examine your eyes before a LASIK touch up to ensure a laser eye surgery enhancement is necessary.

What if you squeeze your eyes after LASIK?

Rubbing your eyes after LASIK can easily lead to a dislodged flap, which can cause serious damage to the cornea and damage to vision.

About showering: You can bath or shower within 24 hours of your LASIK surgery, but the running water should not go into the eyes for at least one week. Also, it would be best to ignore applying a washcloth or towel to your eyes to minimize pressure during this time.

Alcohol can dry your eyes out, so you'll want to steer clear of drinking 24 hours before LASIK. Don't plan any parties the day after LASIK, because you shouldn't drink for 2 days after as well.

When drying off, do not directly rub or bump your eye. If you have any crustiness on your lashes from the artificial tears, they are best cleaned with careful use of a clean washcloth soaked in warm water. Do not go swimming, use a hot tub, spa or whirlpool for at least 10 days to reduce the risk of infection.

Patients who've had LASIK should wait at least a week before going back to regular use of eye makeup. However, this timeframe can vary on a case-by-case basis. Some people will be ready after only a few days, while others may take a bit longer.

You can take a shower after LASIK. You will want to make sure that you keep your eyes completely closed to prevent soap, shampoo, and water from getting in your eyes. You'll also want to make sure that you don't rub your eyes when you are washing your face.

Many patients feel comfortable after a short nap while wearing protective eye shields. For the first few days after LASIK, it is recommended that patients wear these plastic eye shields while sleeping to prevent any unconscious eye-rubbing.

Does LASIK Affect Night Vision? Vision disturbances including decreased night vision can occur immediately after a LASIK procedure, according to Mayo Clinic. However, while you may experience difficulty with night vision right after your procedure, it typically will not last beyond a few weeks.

Night Vision Problems as a Side Effect of LASIK

Many patients will notice starbursts, halos, and glare around bright lights, as well as difficulty seeing other objects at night. These issues with contrast and light sensitivity can make driving or otherwise being out at night very dangerous.

Why is my night vision worse after LASIK?

This type of problem is typically associated with conventional LASIK rather than with Customized Wavefront LASIK. It turns out that conventional LASIK actually increases an aberration in the cornea known as “spherical aberration” which can produce problems with night and low light vision after LASIK.

After a procedure like LASIK, you may need more sleep than you normally do. This is common. If you feel tired, there's nothing wrong with a few extra hours the first week after LASIK.

Answer: Blurred vision after Lasik

The fact that you wake up with the symptom suggests that your eyes might be drying out overnight. I would suggest a lubrucating gel for dry eyes and a visit to your surgeon if the vision doesn't clear.

During the procedure, the eyelids are held open with a small medical device to prevent blinking. It is therefore impossible for you to close your eye or blink during the procedure. We keep the surface of your eye lubricated with drops, so your eye does not get dry, and you will not feel the need to blink.

A common concern among potential LASIK patients is whether they will be awake during the procedure. Yes—patients are awake during LASIK. However, there is no need to worry if you accidentally blink or move your eyes during the surgery.