Considering LASIK for astigmatism? The procedure is fairly common now and is generally considered effective for correcting astigmatism, though outcomes may vary based on individual factors.
However, as with any surgery, there are potential risks. Patients should take extra care during recovery to minimise side effects.
If you want to know about the aftercare protocol after LASIK for astigmatism, read on. The tips below should help you reduce the risk of adverse outcomes from your treatment.
Recovery tips for LASIK for astigmatism
1. Clarify your expectations
You can very easily injure your recovering eye if you have no idea what to expect from it at this stage. You may touch it due to worrying about it feeling different from normal, for example.
It’s normal for the eye to feel slightly different after the treatment, however. Itchiness, grittiness, and even a slight stinging may be felt in the eye after LASIK.
Ask your doctor to explain what to expect so that you aren’t taken off guard by it. This will help you better prepare for the sensations you may experience during recovery.
2. Avoid touching your eye
We already noted it above, but it’s worth repeating. Avoid touching, pawing at, or rubbing the eye during the recovery period. Your doctor may even require you to wear an eye shield for a week or so.
This may require you to change certain things about your lifestyle temporarily. For instance, most doctors recommend waiting at least a month before resuming contact sports to prevent accidental eye injury.
That helps them avoid accidental touches or trauma to the eye. Both can prolong recovery or even require corrective procedures if the cornea is damaged during healing.
3. Postpone strenuous exercise
Even if you don’t do contact sports for your physical fitness, it’s advised to wait before resuming strenuous activity. This includes solo exercise regimens or activities such as jogging.
Most doctors advise waiting at least a week before resuming strenuous exercise, though light activities like walking can typically be done sooner. This is to minimise the chances of something dislodging the corneal flap before it has successfully healed.
4. Don’t use skin products near the eyes
For at least two weeks, keep skin products away from your eyes. This includes makeup, lotions, and other topical creams for beauty or even hydration.
Even though it may not look like it, your eyes undergo a surgical procedure during LASIK, so they need time to heal. Applying products near them can increase the risk of irritation or infection.
This is also why it is recommended to avoid touching the area near your eyes with dirty hands. In fact, it is generally advised not to reach for that area with your hands for the recovery period.
If you must, only do so after consciously washing your hands with soap and water. This can do a lot to bring down the chances of inflammation.
5. Avoid hot tubs and pools
This is related to what we explained in the previous tip. You should stay away from bodies of water, especially shared ones, for at least a month after the procedure.
This further reduces the risk of infection in your healing eye. The chlorine in some pools can also irritate the treatment area.
6. Follow your doctor’s instructions
This is perhaps the most important recovery tip for LASIK for astigmatism. Your doctor should provide a list of guidelines for how to manage your recovery and aftercare. Follow them to the letter.
Typically, you should also get an appointment for a post-treatment check-up. We often schedule ours to be 24 to 48 hours after the surgery at Shinagawa Eye Centre.
This helps assess whether recovery is progressing as expected and determines the need for further follow-ups. Your doctor will do the same to ensure optimal healing.
