Life after LASIK

[sjoes006]

I had LASIK about two months ago, and prior to, people asked me to stay active here and share my experience in the operation.

This I shared with a few but the thing I want to express the most is what goes down post op in the following weeks and months.

The surgery happens in the blink of an eye, (always looking for a pun), but the recovery is long and you need to respect that.

Sure, you’re seeing 20/20 or close as soon as you leave the procedure room.

But you just had major surgery in your peepers so it’s important to remember that and treat with care.

I, for instance, had the wear eyeshields for the whole first day and then at next at night for 5 more. I wore the stickiest tape with eye shields that weren’t attractive. My friend had googles when he had his recently on another state and laughed about my cheap sticky shields.

My surgeon makes his patients wear the sticky tape googles because almost of us tend to remove the googles during sleep if not tied down.

I could drive the next day. But don’t mistake driving and release from the 5 day eyeshield and no makeup on eyes as a return to business as usual.

You must use eye drops for at least a month because the procedure cuts an optic nerve leaving you eyes unaware that they are dry.

Eye makeup was not fun and my eyes were yellow or red even after several weeks with makeup.

I learned to drink water more than I have ever thought possible. At least 3L a day.

This is still recovery, but important info. Eyedrops 10 times a day.

BUT then, things got better at 6 weeks. Eye drops in the morning when waking or before sleep.

I now take for granted how well I can see.

it took a while to get here, dry eye was a problem.

In the end, it was worth it for me. My vision was so bad I would be in a fix if I somehow had to drive.

Im only 2 months into recovery though so know that it is a process. I only started wearing eye makeup 2 weeks ago. The healing process takes a year.

[Reach500]

Thanks for sharing! I am interested in getting lasik at some point in my life and would like to know the process. If you are willing to give another update in the future to let us know how things progressed, it would be appreciated.

[sjoes006]

Sure thing, asking about recovery time and treatment post op is good.

Most people that. I know who have had it did decades ago so they forget. I drink plenty of water, use drops in the morning, day and before bed.

[coolbreeze]

Congrats on a good surgery. Im glad everything went good with the surgery.

[sjoes006]

The surgery was the easy part. The hard part was being mindful of limitations and care afterward. I still need to be careful and use drops a couple times a day, wear sunglasses and take breaks from staring at my monitors at work.

At first it was hard to develope the routine. It would be time for bed and I’d be looking for my contacts car and glasses. My SO honestly got annoyed during week two of this.

He couldn’t understand how I could forget that I don’t have contacts in. But he has always had 20/20. From 16-33 I wore contacts. And I used to usually take my contacts out way before bed. Like when we settle down to watch TV or whatever.

I would know where my glasses were but always had like 7 different contract cases... which I threw out after the surgery. So I’d have that 10-15 seconds of time to take out my contacts... where’s my case?

He’s like, seriously, again? What’d you pay the money for if you can’t tell the difference?

Dry eye feels line contact clé out time.

[sjoes006]

My eyes don’t feel like that anymore, that foreign body feeling.

[coolbreeze]

With time it takes getting use to the routine At least your smart in protecting your eyes properly. But I can see how hard it is to get use to a different routine.

[coolbreeze]

Thank you very much for selecting my answer as the most helpful opinion.

[Gambit3]

Thanks for sharing your exeperience.
I am new to GAG and you fulfilling ur commitment deserves a 👍

I wish u speedy recivery and hope u r fully fine in few months.
It is your earlystage of recovery... Never become complacent. 😊👍

[sjoes006]

Hey, thanks and welcome to the community!

yep, early into it but just spreading the word. People think that because the surgery is 10 minutes that there isn’t a recovery time. Treat your eyes wel. 😎

[Gambit3]

Yup. My friend wanted to take LASIK so that he could get into the INDIAN army... but then was told it won't help as the pressure of fluid in his eye is high.

Yup, people do try to have half baked opinions. It is best to not consume it.. it shall cause indigestion 😅😅

[musicbrain5]

My brother had Lasik done about 5 years ago. He pretty much had the same experience as you (aside from makeup, of course). His main issue was dry eye, but nothing that Visine or Systane can't remedy. That went away for him after 6 months or so, and he hasn't used drops in 3 years now. It's a gradual recovery, but well worth it.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I'm happy for you that your LASIK procedure was successful and that you're handling your recovery pretty well. It's been a while since I had my eyes checked. Your myTake just prompted me to do that. Thanks.

[goaded]

Funny how they don't mention any of this in the advertisements!

Thanks for the info, I think I'll stick with contact lenses.

[bubble_tea]

Thanks for sharing. I didn't know that it takes a full year to heal. What can't you do until the year's up or what do you have to keep doing for a year?

[sjoes006]

Just articificial tears and lots of water, sunglasses. It’s not bad. You just need to be mindful that your body is healing.

[bubble_tea]

I see. yeah, those things sound doable.

[ATuairiscean]

I have heard mainly good reports about the procedure

[AlexEfron]

Interesting. Always wanted to know how it felt after LASIK.
I was considering it... but nah.. I pass. I'll switch to lenses. I'm very restless and carefree. If I were to use eye drops 10times a day... that'd probably be curbed to thrice daily 🤣

[sjoes006]

That’s only temporary.

[Redstang88]

Interesting to know. It’s definitely something I’m looking to get done at some point.

[DarganKorodanya]

Very interesting. I honestly might get this surgery, thank you for sharing. My vision is get worse as we speak. I cannot make out words more than 10 feet in front of me.

[monkeynutts]

Cool, I have thought about this procedure, but my eyes maybe too damaged.

[Danxsarah]

🤔 no more glasses or contact for a year ish of that sign me up in done with my glasses lol

[Anonymous]

Thanks For sharing your experience , I'm considering Lasik after 4 years as I'm not 21 yet

[abundantlyrich]

Can you see up close

[sjoes006]

Yes my vision close up is the same which was always good. Like 2-3 ft from my monitors at work are the best for not causing eye strain.

But this whole not being able to see to shave armpits or not being able to see to put on makeup tho g that I hear some places, I think that is because you over 40 and didn’t get one eye corrected for near and the other for far.

My surgeon did tell me when I get into my mid 40’s they can do an upgrade to have one eye be for close up. The brain balances perception between the two so it uses combines the view without it looking different.

Older people who where contacts and glasses tell me they have the same thing. One eye for one and one for the other.

Tonight when I was driving some lights seemed bright, temporary side effect.

[abundantlyrich]

What was your eye vision measurements before treatment?

[sjoes006]

I think I was a 3 something.

[abundantlyrich]

Not too bad...

[rickytim]

Interesting I might get it done myself

[saucegoddess]

Thank you for sharing.

[legalboxers]

Id be too scared for it

[Factshurt90]

Thanks for sharing

[ChocolateCheesecake]

Nice

[Secretgardenblood]

Good take