How Long Does It Take to Recover From LASIK Surgery?

A key part of preparing for LASIK eye surgery is knowing what to expect during the LASIK recovery period. The good news is that this outpatient procedure is quick, and most patients find the LASIK recovery time much easier than they expected.

After LASIK, you’ll start feeling like yourself again fairly quickly. Any discomfort usually lasts only a day or two. Most people notice clearer vision almost immediately after the procedure and are able to return to most of their normal activities within the first few days.

However, it’s important to understand that full visual recovery after LASIK can take up to a full year, as the corneal flaps need time to heal completely. The upside is that this longer healing timeline does *not* mean you’ll be sidelined for months.

You’ll just need to be gentler with your eyes for a while to protect the healing corneas. After the first month, the extra precautions you need to take are usually minimal.

Let’s walk through the complete LASIK eye surgery recovery timeline so you know exactly what to expect as your eyes heal. We’ll cover what happens from the very first moments after the procedure all the way through the one–year mark. This can help you plan your schedule accordingly and ease any worries if you experience common side effects along the way.

Also read: What to Expect During Laser Eye Surgery

LASIK Recovery Timeline – The First 24 Hours

5 Minutes After the Procedure

Your vision will already be starting to improve, and this will continue to get better over the next several hours. At the same time, your symptoms will gradually ease as your eyes begin to heal. Your eye care team will place clear plastic eye shields over your eyes to protect them.

You should have arranged for someone to drive you home. Even so, wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from bright light and wind.

30 Minutes After the Procedure

As the numbing drops wear off, you may begin to feel mild discomfort. Your eyes might start to itch and/or burn, so it’s very important to rest them at this stage. Try to take a nap if you can, or lie down in a dark room and keep your eyes closed for 2–4 hours.

Keep your protective eye shields on, and follow your doctor’s instructions regarding pain medication if you need it. You should also avoid all screens during this time—no phone, computer, or TV for several hours. That nap is sounding better and better.

Also read: Top Reasons to Consider LASIK Beyond Just Clear Vision

4 Hours After Your LASIK Procedure

When you wake up from resting your eyes, you’ll likely notice that the itching and/or burning has eased. Your vision has probably improved even more by this point, but your eyes may still be light–sensitive and feel dry, or as if there’s something in them.

Keep using your eye shields so you don’t accidentally rub your eyes. Follow your ophthalmologist’s instructions for using eye drops during your LASIK recovery to help your eyes heal properly and stay well lubricated. Rest your eyes whenever they feel tired, itchy, or overly sensitive.

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA/PRK)

24 Hours After the Procedure

You may still have some mild symptoms, all of which typically continue to improve as you move through the LASIK recovery period. These can include halos around lights, glare, tearing, puffy eyelids, bloodshot eyes, or small red spots (subconjunctival hemorrhages) on the whites of your eyes.

Also read: Surfer’s Eye – Everything You Need to Know About Pterygium