Recovery
Most LASIK patients return to daily activities within 24 hours.
Some procedures may require a few additional recovery days depending on healing and screen comfort.
Post-operative care
Follow-up care matters. Following your recovery plan and attending follow-up appointments helps support healing and protect your results.
Timing of post-operative appointments may vary. Some may be conducted virtually or by phone. Details will be explained on the day of your procedure.
LASIK follow-up appointments
- 24 hours (must be done at LASIK MD)
- 2 weeks
- 1 year
- Corneal imaging appointment every 2 years*
- Any additional post-op visits we determine to be necessary
PRK follow-up appointments
- 24 hours (must be done at LASIK MD)
- Every other day for the first 4 to 5 days following your surgery
- 1 to 2 weeks
- 1 month
- 1 year
- Corneal imaging appointment every 2 years*
- Any additional post-op visits that we determine to be necessary
Your follow-up care and coverage
Your first year of post-operative appointments is included in the cost of your procedure. These visits help monitor healing and support your recovery.
Additional appointments may be required. Please ask about our Vision Enhancement Plans.
Caring for your eyes at home
- Follow your prescribed eye drop regimen
- Wear your protective sunglasses
- Respect your post-surgery activity schedule provided by your clinic
Do I need long-term follow-up appointments?
Yes. After laser vision correction at LASIK MD, you must return every two years for a corneal imaging appointment.*
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Your first year of post-operative exams is included in the surgery cost. These visits let our team monitor your recovery, answer questions, and ensure proper healing.
*Additional appointments may be required. Please ask about our Vision Enhancement Plans.
Can I see my own eye care professional?
You may choose to complete your follow-up visits with your own optometrist after your initial post-operative appointment.
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If you choose to have your follow-up visits with your own eye care professional, your optometrist will require post-operative forms. After your 24‑hour post-operative appointment, you will receive, via fax, mail or in person, your refractive surgical report and post-operative form. Please bring these documents to your appointment with your optometrist.
For patients who choose to have post-operative care with their own eye care professional, LASIK MD will not be responsible for any additional charges. LASIK MD will not reimburse either the patient or doctor for any additional charges.
Post-operative activity guidelines
These general recommendations are designed to help support healing and protect your results after surgery. Always follow the specific activity schedule PDF provided to you on your surgery day, as instructions may vary depending on your procedure.
What to do
- Use your prescribed eye drops exactly as instructed.
- Rest your eyes on the day of surgery and and take a short nap after you get home.
- Attend all post operative appointments, virtual or in clinic.
- Wear UV protective sunglasses outside.
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- Keep the eyelid area clean using a soft damp cloth in a gentle downward motion.
- Wait for medical clearance before driving.
- Choose light activities first and increase them as your doctor allows.
- Wear your LASIK MD sunglasses outdoors and when you feel light sensitive.
What to avoid
- Rubbing, pressing or touching your eyes.
- Changing or stopping your drops without speaking to your eye care professional.
- Long screen time or reading if your instructions recommend limiting them.
- Swimming, hot tubs or high-impact sports until your schedule says it is safe.
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- Makeup, creams or lotions around the eyes during the first days.
- Skipping or delaying your follow up visits.
- Tanning beds or strong UV exposure without protection.
- Driving yourself home on surgery day.
Download your procedure’s activity schedule
Protect your eyes long term
Carefully following your recovery instructions and attending follow-up appointments helps support healing and protect the long-term health of your eyes.
If you have questions about your recovery or medication schedule, our team is here to help.
Managing dry eyes after surgery
Dryness of the eyes is a condition some patients experience after laser vision correction. While temporary, lasting from a few weeks to a few months, there is a treatment that can help: a comfort plug.
What are a comfort plugs?
A microscopic plug, called a comfort plug, can be inserted into a patient's tear ducts to increase the level of the tear film. As a result, comfort plugs maintain the moisture in the patient's eyes, relieving the unpleasant symptoms of dry eyes. They can be removed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist if needed.
Do you have dry eyes? Common symptoms
The following symptoms are commonly associated with dry eyes:
- Burning, itchy eyes
- Redness
- Vision that is blurry until you blink
- Excessive tearing
- Sensation of having sand in your eye
If you have one or more of these symptoms, comfort plugs can alleviate the irritation. With the use of comfort plugs, the need for artificial tear drops is drastically reduced. A LASIK MD eye care specialist will examine the condition of your eyes and advise you on which solution best meets your needs.
Post-operative drop instructions
Before your procedure, your clinic team will explain how to use your eye drops and provide a personalized medication schedule.
Following your eye drop schedule matters. Post-operative eye drops help support healing and reduce inflammation and dry eye symptoms after surgery. Carefully following the instructions provided by your clinic helps support a smooth recovery.