Beyond Eye Drops: Small Lifestyle Adjustments That Make a Big Difference After LASIK Surgery

02 May,2025

LASIK surgery is revolutionizing the domain of vision reset treatment. People are blessed to have it as a boon, getting rid of their long-standing glasses and lenses. If you are not familiar with LASIK, this blog is a must-read.

Most people undergoing LASIK experience dry eye syndrome. Several studies indicate this in more than 95% of cases. Some may even have to deal with sensitivity. Over the years, these side effects persist while others improve. However, the natural changes in your eyes require extra care. Let's explore this in the blog.

Understanding What LASIK Is?

Before delving deeper into the intricate details of aftercare, let's start by understanding what LASIK is.

LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a procedure to revolutionize the transition of your vision. It works like a magical stick, gently reshaping the cornea of your eyes. This reshaping of the delicate part of your eyes helps bid adieu to common vision deficiencies related to farsightedness, nearsightedness, and pesky astigmatism.

This surgery is truly extraordinary due to its reputation for being precise and minimally invasive.

Why Is It So Popular?

Several reasons make LASIK a popular choice for all:

Eyewear Freedom:

Bidding farewell to your constant wear of glasses or lenses, or the routine insertion and removal of your contact lenses, sounds soothing, right? LASIK offers you the same liberation from visual clutter, presenting you with a newfound freedom to explore a clearer world.

Rapid Recovery:

LASIK really works quickly in the world of eye surgery. There are other procedures requiring downtime. However, LASIK doesn't. Most people undergoing LASIK experience recovery within a 24-hour timeframe. You'll, in fact, find most of them returning to their normal routine in just a couple of days.

Enhanced Life Quality:

LASIK opens your path to lead a quality life. It enables you to savour every bit and piece without bothering about misplacing your eyewear. Just imagine how you would feel when you wake up to the call of the rising sun and watch the world out without fumbling here and there for your glasses. Sounds interesting?

Precise Correction of Vision:

LASIK offers awe-inspiring vision support. It customizes your eye corrections according to your specific visual needs, guaranteeing a highly individualized solution.

This horizontal bar chart highlights the key reasons patients opt for LASIK surgery, based on insights from various surveys and clinical studies. The most common motivation is the desire for eyewear freedom (88%), followed closely by rapid recovery (76%), and a notable improvement in overall quality of life (70%). Precision in vision correction (65%) also plays a significant role in influencing patient decisions. These findings reflect the growing trust and satisfaction among those who seek clear, hassle-free vision through LASIK.

Do You Need to Adjust Your Lifestyle After Undergoing LASIK?

Yes, you'll need to make a slight adjustment to your lifestyle to follow the post-LASIK care tips. Your first few hours after undergoing LASIK surgery may cause some temporary visual disturbances. Mainly, you may experience either:

• Dry eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision
• Glare

However, most of these disturbances won't trouble you for long. You need to follow the basic guidelines below:

Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

Most of us find it challenging to resist rubbing our eyes. However, try to avoid rubbing your eyes as often as you feel the urge. No matter if it's itchy or prevented, avoid it.

Limit Spending Your Time On Screen

Following your LASIK surgery, you may experience frequent dryness in your eyes. To alleviate this discomfort, prefer investing your time on the screen. Support your healing process by taking regular breaks and maintaining a safe distance from the screen.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is not only good for the rest of your body but for your eye's health, too. It prevents eye dryness and discomfort. The more hydrated your eyes are, the more effectively they heal. Staying hydrated can reduce complications and improve your overall comfort.

Your Post-LASIK Healing

Your vision may change significantly throughout the first few months of your LASIK surgery recovery. Let your eyes drop for your friend on this healing journey. They do keep your eyes moist, prevent all forms of infection, and control eye inflammation.

Types of Eye Drops

There are three key types of eye drops recommended for this procedure:

Antibiotic Drops

Antibiotic eye drops are your first line of defense against infection following LASIK. They form a protective barrier when your eyes are more vulnerable during the healing process. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe these eye drops for an initial 7-10 days post your LASIK. The most commonly used ones are Ofloxacin and Moxifloxacin.

Anti-Inflammatory Drops

Next, your eyes need a steroid drop to manage your vision effectively. Such drops are usually available as Prednisone and Loteprednol. Mainly, you will be prescribed these drops following 5-14 days of undergoing LASIK. Rather than completely stopping its use, your doctor will advise a tapering schedule.

Artificial Tears

Have you ever imagined how your natural tears comfort your eyes and keep them healthy? After undergoing LASIK, artificial tears become essential because LASIK can impact your natural tear production. You need to use these drops every 2 hours for the next 10 days after your LASIK procedure. You can have a word about preservative-free options with your ophthalmologist. They are mild on the eyes.

Drops containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) work better in conjunction. Some formulas also have ingredients such as erythritol and glycerin to protect the surface cells of your eyes.

When Should You Use Eye Drops?

Do you believe that your natural tears work in harmony? Likewise, the timing of using your eye drops during LASIK surgery recovery is crucial to your healing journey.

First Week Schedule

You need to be extremely careful during your first week. Use your antibiotic drops four times per day for the next seven days. Your anti-inflammatory drops also need four daily applications in the first week. You can use a single artificial drop in each eye every hour while you are awake.

Weeks 2-4

During weeks 2-4, your schedule for managing your eyes becomes simpler. You should follow the pattern below for your artificial tears:

• Week 2: Apply your artificial drops every 2 hours. 
• Week 3: Administer your artificial drops every 3 hours. 
• Week 4: Use your artificial drops every 4 hours.

You can discuss with your surgeon whether to stop or continue using your antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops. You need a few anti-inflammatory eye drops for around two weeks. Your dosing requirements depend on how long it takes your eyes to heal after LASIK.

The suggested schedule for using artificial tears in weeks 2 to 4 post-LASIK, with gradually increasing intervals, is consistent with common postoperative care. However, regimens can vary depending on healing responses and the surgeon's recommendations. 

Regarding antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops, patients typically use them for about two weeks after surgery. The exact duration and dosage should be determined by the surgeon based on the healing progress. 

It's essential to note that while general guidelines exist, postoperative care must be tailored to each individual's specific needs. Patients should follow their surgeon's instructions and attend all scheduled follow-ups for optimal healing and to address any concerns promptly. Talk to your surgeon to find the right eye drops and determine your post-LASIK care schedule.

MediJourney By Your Side: A Personal Path to Clearer Vision

You've been thinking about freedom from glasses for a while now. As you consider taking the step toward LASIK surgery, MediJourney stands ready to guide you through the entire experience.

From the moment patients begin considering LASIK, they notice something different about the MediJourney approach. You're not just another appointment on the calendar—you're a person with unique eyes, specific concerns, and individual hopes for your vision correction.

When you reach out, MediJourney connects you with only accredited eye care centers where experienced ophthalmic surgeons practice the latest techniques in vision correction. The patient doesn't need to worry about researching endless options or questioning credentials, because MediJourney has already handled this crucial vetting process.

During your pre-surgery consultations, you'll feel the difference of having MediJourney by your side. They help you understand exactly what to expect, answering your questions with clarity and patience. Patients often mention how this supportive approach eases their natural anxieties about eye surgery.

After your procedure, MediJourney doesn't disappear. Your LASIK surgery recovery matters just as much as the surgery itself. You'll receive personalized follow-up care and easy access to post-LASIK care tips that make your recovery smoother. The patient's healing becomes a priority, with every checkpoint designed to ensure optimal results.

MediJourney transforms a complex medical journey into a streamlined, supportive experience, ensuring you feel cared for every step of the way. Contact us today to know more.