Wondering if you should get LASIK? Sometimes, when you’re trying to make a decision, it’s easier if you know some of what to expect. The same is true after getting LASIK.
What’s the recovery process like? Can you still take part in your favorite summer activities in Chicago after you get it? Keep reading for 6 technology tips to follow after getting LASIK!
1. Take it easy with your screen time in the first few days after LASIK
You’re imagining the first day after you had LASIK. You probably think you’ll be playing video games and scrolling through your phone. It’s all chill!
Not exactly. Although LASIK isn’t a painful procedure (thank you numbing eye drops!) it can be uncomfortable while you recover.
On the first day after LASIK, try to avoid using screens at all. Yes, that means no television, no tablets, no laptops, and no cell phones.
Your eyes are going to be more sensitive than normal since LASIK is a surgical procedure. But what does looking at screens have to do with LASIK?
A lot, actually. Looking at screens can actually reduce how much you blink. Having a lower blink rate is one of the things that affect whether you have dry eye, so it’s a big deal!
Use the first day after LASIK as a time to relax. Your eyes will feel better if you keep them well-lubricated and rested. If you feel better with your eyes closed, keep them closed.
If your eyes are too dry, make sure to have plenty of artificial tears on hand. You should have these besides the anti-inflammatory and steroid eye drops you’re prescribed. Once your eyes are less sensitive, you can start adding screen time back in.
2. Make an effort to blink more
Blinking is a key part of how your eyes produce tears and deliver nutrients. If you notice that your eyes are dry after LASIK, it’s time to blink more.
This is especially crucial once you start reintroducing screens into your routine. The longer you look at a screen of any kind, the more likely you are to forget to blink.
If you’re playing your favorite video game or reading, put a post-it note nearby with a reminder to blink. Any and all screens will affect your blink rate!
3. Practice the 20-20-20 rule if your eyes get tired
Even before you get LASIK, the 20-20-20 rule is something you should follow. So what is the 20-20-20 rule? It’s simple!
Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen that you’re in front of. Focus on an object that is 20 feet away for 20 seconds. That’s it!
Sounds easy, but something so simple can make a big difference. It’s easy for your eyes to get strained and tired after LASIK.
Since you can’t avoid screens forever, this is the next best thing. If you can swing it, take a real break or two throughout the day as well.
Your eyes will be much happier if you take a real break and look at something that isn’t a screen for more than 20 seconds.
4. Get enough sleep to allow your eyes to recharge
Want a healthy recovery from LASIK? Start getting more Z’s! Seriously, it makes a big difference if you can get enough sleep after you have LASIK.
Sleeping is a crucial time that allows your eyes to recharge and heal. 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. In fact, your LASIK surgeon at Chicago Cornea Consultants™ will tell you to sleep after LASIK.
One of the best ways to start your recovery off is by sleeping for 3 or 4 hours after you get LASIK. This is the time when your eyes can rest and start the healing process. Don’t skip this if you want your eyes in good shape, trust us!
Even in the days after you’ve had LASIK, it’s recommended to get as much sleep as possible. And if you want the best quality of sleep, keep those screens off in the bedroom.
The light that comes off your television, smartphone, or tablet can affect your REM levels.
5. Keep eye drops and artificial tears on hand
One of the most common side effects that LASIK patients experience after LASIK is dry eye.
If you want to avoid this, get acquainted with eye drops and artificial tears. If your eyes feel dry, they probably are. Even if your eyes don’t feel dry, it never hurts to use artificial tears liberally after LASIK.
If your eyes are bothering you a lot, you can use artificial tears every hour you’re awake. It’s not exactly glamorous, but keeping your eyes well lubricated makes a difference.
During LASIK, reshaping the cornea corrects any refractive errors. These include farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. To reshape the cornea, your LASIK surgeon will remove a tiny amount of corneal tissue.
By removing the tissue, this is what reshapes the cornea and corrects your vision. In some cases, removing this tissue can lead to the eye becoming drier.
6. Tell your eye doctor if your dry eye is unbearable
Having artificial tears on hand can certainly help with dry eye, but it can’t treat the root problem. If you find that your dry eye after LASIK is unbearable, tell your eye doctor.
They can get you started on a dry eye regimen that treats your dry eyes, instead of just the symptoms.
Dry eye has several causes but the most common are not producing enough tears or low-quality tears. When you produce tears, they are made of oil, water, and mucous.
If you’re not producing enough tears, your eyes get more dry and irritated. If you have low-quality tears, it means your tears are lacking an important component like oil.
Ready to make your LASIK dreams a reality? Schedule your LASIK consultation at Chicago Cornea Consultants™ in Chicago, IL today! LASIK is a life-changing procedure that will turn how you see and interact with the world upside down.
