Diligence is the mother of good luck
As Lasik surgery procedure involves a minimal cut, the healing process following LASIK surgery is quick and most patients experience little or no pain. In my practice at Centre for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital & Institute, most of new freedom earners undergoing surgery by Relex Smile lasik laser are able to resume normal activities and return to work within 3-4 days after the procedure. Hence the Adage at our centre: “Smile Lasik on Friday- Back to Work on Monday”
However it is imperative to follow post surgery care instructions for a safe, successful recovery after laser vision correction.
The basic philosophy is to ensure quick and safe recovery and to reduce the risk of Lasik complications. Eye infections, flap related troubles etc can happen if proper care and diligence is not adopted after the Lasik surgery.
Neha got her LASIK surgery done in Delhi and had to fly to Mumbai 3 days later for some important office project. She was asked to replace a colleague who fell sick just prior to the travel. She took the permission to travel from her LASIK surgeon. She was given a set of instructions and some eye drops to be instilled in her eyes. She had been very diligent about most things and had been using her eye drops properly. 2 weeks after her surgery she felt a minor irritation and her surgeon referred her to me. She was thoroughly examined at the Centre for LASIK surgery at the Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute. Her vision was still perfect but she had developed a small whitish area of post Lasik infection near the edge of LASIK flap. This being a serious situation, we immediately started her on treatment. She recovered fully although she required 2 months of continuous treatment.
We were all wondering what caused this infection since Neha seemed to be so diligent and careful. When we went through her last two weeks routine post lasik surgery, she told us that one hot evening she could not resist the temptation to take a plunge into the hotel swimming pool. This was about 12 days after her surgery. Her irritation started a few days after that. Basically she had developed a corneal infection due to swimming in the pool. I think it was sheer callousness and not ignorance accentuated by the perception that doctors unnecessarily advice too many precautions after the lasik procedure!
After seeing this happen with Neha, I thought it would be wise to pen down some do’s and the don’ts to avoid post Lasik surgery complications:
- Avoid any form of dirty water or dust entering the eye for 3 weeks
- Showering carefully to ensure no tap water or soap enters into the eye.
- Hair spray and shaving lotion should not enter the eye, hence these products need to be used carefully for the first 3 weeks after Lasik procedure
- Swimming in pools or lakes or sea or use of sauna and Jacuzzi should be avoided for 4 weeks after lasik surgery
- Avoid hair colouring or perming for at least 2 weeks after laser vision correction
- No exercise for two days after laser eye surgery and it is necessary to avoid sweat getting into the eyes for 3 weeks.
- Avoid dirty/dusty environments for 2-3 weeks and use sunglasses outside the home or office for the first 3-4 weeks
- Avoid eye makeup ( especially the old eye make-up) for 3 weeks
- For at least 7 days after laser vision correction – hard work, gardening, grass cutting, working in your yard, dusting should be avoided
Avoiding activities which can cause Lasik flap related problems
- Avoid rubbing your eyes for 2-3 weeks after Lasik surgery
- Wear the eye shield/goggles while sleeping for the first 7 nights
- Wear eye protection for at least the first month while exercising or playing after Lasik surgery
- Watching TV, reading, and working on computer can be done but make sure that your eyes are well lubricated and you should blink your eyes frequently.
- Make sure that you use eye drops as prescribed by the doctor for lubrication and also prevention of any infection.
- Ensure that you do not miss your post-operative visits after the surgery. Normally one day and one week check-ups are mandatory. At our centre we advice 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months check-up.
With the advent of newer and safer Lasik Surgery procedures such as Femto Lasik and Relex Smile Lasik available at Centre for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital & Institute, India – the safety of Lasik has become even better and flap related problems even less common. While Femto-lasik is a bladeless and uses Femto Laser for making a more precise flap, Smile Lasik is a flapless Lasik (just a very small cut) procedure which has the fastest recovery.
Lasik surgery is a quick procedure and has a short recovery period. Most patients feel normal enough to perform day to day activities right from the next day itself. However like any other surgery, Lasik surgery also requires some care and precautions. These go a long way to ensure quicker, safer and best possible outcomes after laser vision correction.
So get the LASIK surgery after proper pre Lasik evaluation, choose the place for surgery diligently and after the surgery listen to your expert lasik surgeon and follow the post lasik instructions!
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”
― Ernest Hemingway
About Dr Vandana Jain:
Dr Vandana Jain is one of the Best Lasik Surgeons in India and has received training at LV Prasad Eye Institute and then at Harvard, USA. In her Lasik career spanning more than a decade, she has helped more than 5000 people get freedom from glasses permanently. Currently, the Chief Cornea & Lasik Surgeon at Centre for Lasik Surgery at Advanced Eye Hospital & Insittute, Navi Mumbai, India she spends time on helping prospective Lasik Wishfuls get their freedom. Dr Vandana Jain is also one of the few well trained and experienced Relex SMILE Lasik Surgeons in India.
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Dr Vandana Jain, Cornea and Lasik Surgeon, Mumbai, India 