Eye surgery has come a long way since its infancy. Today, the most advanced lasers treat many eye disorders, including myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism.
Many people that undergo LASIK, SMILE, PRK, PRESBYOND, and other similar corrective procedures may no longer need to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses to see. Some patients can enjoy perfect 20/20 vision mere days after undergoing their eye operation.
Numbing drops are used so that patients will not feel any pain. They may be given a mild sedative to take to help them relax before the procedure.
Some procedures may not even require sutures or stitches, or dissolvable stitches may be used so that the surgeon won’t be needed to remove them in the future. Many patients can return to work in a few days.
However, post-surgery care is paramount to avoid complications. Your home needs to be safe and clean to prevent contamination and help you recover faster. You need to relax and avoid any strenuous activities.
You need to keep stress and anxiety to a minimum and may need to make some changes to your sleep patterns and eating habits.
How to Organize Your House Post Eye Surgery
Direct and harsh lighting should be avoided. Try to avoid glare, which means staying away from laptops, desktops, cellphones, tablets, television, and video game screens. Even reading can place strain on your eyes.
Get as much rest as possible during the first few days after your eye procedure. Take the necessary precautions while you are bathing.
You may want to avoid showering for a few days. Prevent water or other substances from getting into your eyes, including shampoo and soap suds. You should also stay away from dust, which is why it is important to keep your home clean.
Tiny and sharp objects should also be kept as far away as possible to prevent a potential accident that can undo all of the work done during the operation. Avoid exercise and other activities that will place stress or pressure on your body.
Eye rubbing is also a big no-no. A protective eye wrap should be worn during the day to help reduce the temptation to rub your eyes.
As for the night, your surgeon will likely provide you with goggles that you can wear so that you do not accidentally touch or hit your eyes while you rest. Stairs should also be avoided whenever possible.
You may be groggy from the medication that you were given and may accidentally fall flat on your face by tripping over your stairs. Your pantry should also be stocked with all the healthy snacks and food you will need before undergoing your eye operation.
You will need to stay home for a few days after the surgery, so a run to the grocery store is something that you should plan before you head to the clinic. Do not sleep on your stomach while you recover.
Try and sleep on your back or your side if you prefer. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per day to help accelerate your body’s healing process. Avoid stimulating activities a few hours before bed, such as watching TV, texting, or playing video games.
Do not drink any liquids after 8:00 PM, as doing so may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.
Why is Post Eye Surgery Care Important?
If you do not take care of your eyes after the surgery, you may lose your vision. Excessive coughing can damage your eyes. The neurological functionality of your eyes may be impeded if you do not properly care for your eyes.
After any kind of eye surgery, especially laser eye surgery, proper care will allow you to relax and give your eyes the required time to heal fully.
The Don’ts of Post Eye Surgery
Use your medication as prescribed. Do not overdose or miss any applications. Refrain from rubbing your eyes. Avoid eye strain by avoiding any electrical devices. Makeup should also be avoided until you fully recover.
Avoid work, strenuous activities, and anything that may cause stress or irritability for the foreseeable future. Eat a healthy and balanced diet, drink 7 to 8 glasses of water, and get plenty of rest to accelerate the healing process.
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
Most people will fully recover from their eye procedure in a few days to a week.
However, your eyes will be in a vulnerable state during those first few days post-surgery, so you should play it safe and practice proper post-surgery care to ensure that everything goes according to plan.
