How Soon Will I See Results from LASIK? 5 Stages of Healing

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on November 18, 2022

If you’re considering LASIK but aren’t sure how to plan for the healing process, this easy guide lifts the veil on what to expect in the minutes, days, hours, weeks and months after LASIK surgery. 

Read about the stages of healing after LASIK to help you plan the best time for your life-changing vision correction.

1. Immediately after LASIK surgery

Many patients report better vision just minutes after their LASIK surgery is complete. Patients regularly tell the Missouri Eye Institute staff that they’re immediately able to read a wall clock or make out facial features without glasses or contacts for the first time in years. 

However, most patients will experience blurriness during this early LASIK recovery period. This is normal and to be expected.

2. 6-12 hours after LASIK 

Eyes, particularly the corneas, have a remarkable ability to heal and much of that healing takes place in the first 12 hours post-surgery. In addition to the usual blurry vision, LASIK patients may experience some uncomfortable symptoms as they heal from LASIK:

• Eye dryness
• Itchy eyes
• Nighttime glare and halos
• Light sensitivity
• Double vision

This is all normal, and patients tell us all the time this short period of discomfort is well worth the vision the receive in the long-run.

Your Missouri Eye surgeon will check your eyes a few hours after your surgery and will send you home with antibiotic and steroid eye drops to assist in healing.

3. 24-48 hours after LASIK 

Your LASIK surgeon will meet with you the day after your procedure to check your vision and ensure proper healing. Vision should be dramatically improved by this time, and for most patients, this is when their eye doctor clears them to return to work. 

Activities such as heavy lifting, water activities and strenuous sports should wait for a couple more weeks. Your Missouri Eye surgeon will want to ensure that you don’t risk infection or put too much pressure on your healing eyes.

4. 48 hours to 3 months after LASIK 

This is usually a comfortable time of healing for most LASIK patients. Any residual discomfort typically subsides in the days after surgery, and vision will continue to improve. By now, many patients have already achieved the best vision of their lives during this time.

It is during these early weeks when your surgeon will likely clear you to return to all of your regular activities.

5. 3-6 months after LASIK

Your eyes will continue to heal, and your vision will improve and stabilize in the months after LASIK vision correction. By the six-month mark, most patients have experienced their final visual outcomes. Most patients of Missouri Eye Institute achieve 20/20 vision or better after LASIK surgery. And nationwide, more than 95 percent of LASIK patients are happy with their LASIK results according to FDA data.

Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a LASIK consultation or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.