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LASIK® eye surgery offers a fast, noninvasive, and painless way to correct your vision and eliminate the need for prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. While LASIK is a common procedure and requires little recovery time, the eyes will need to be cared for and monitored in the hours, days, and weeks following treatment. Here are a few aftercare do's and don'ts to follow.

Do:

Wear protective eyewear.

The eyes are extremely sensitive to light in the weeks following LASIK. Wear sunglasses for at least the first week after surgery, bearing in mind that you may need to wear them for up to a month until the eyes feel totally comfortable in brighter light again. Also, wear the protective goggles as directed by your eye doctor; these prevent you from accidentally rubbing the eyes and causing complications.

Stick to your eye doctor's aftercare plan.

LASIK®For LASIK to be effective and reduce the likelihood of complications, adhere to the aftercare plan prescribed by your doctor. This involves using the prescription eye drops as directed, being sure to close the eyes for at least 30 seconds after each application. The doctor might also recommend gently cleaning the margins of the eyelids with sterile wipes.

Don't:

Take a shower or wash your hair for 24 hours.

The eyes need to be as undisturbed as possible to adapt to the vision changes of LASIK surgery. Getting water and shampoo in your eyes can jeopardize this process, so for the first day following the procedure, don't shower or wash your hair. When you do resume washing and grooming, be extra careful about keeping water, body- and hair-care products, and makeup away from the eyes for several weeks.

Expose the eyes to allergens.

Even slight irritants like pet dander or dust particles can aggravate the eyes after LASIK. Be vigilant about not exposing yourself to these potential allergens, and wear sunglasses or goggles if necessary. Also, avoid going into indoor spaces where people are smoking or outdoor spaces with an inordinate amount of air pollution.

 

Following these pointers will ensure a smooth and speedy recovery from LASIK. MidWest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight provides laser eye surgery to the Greater Cincinnati, OH, and northern Kentucky areas. In addition to LASIK, they also offer KAMRA® inlay treatments and selective laser trabeculoplasty. Their eye doctors are well-versed in a wide range of issues and treatments, and they look forward to helping you find solutions that work. Call (859) 525-6215 or visit their website to schedule an appointment.

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