I can’t believe it has been nearly four months since I had LASIK surgery. Time flies when you have better than perfect vision!
If I had to pick one word to describe my life after LASIK it would be easy. I don’t have to worry about looking for my glasses first thing in the morning to be able to see. I can wear sunglasses without having to put in contacts first. I can see in the shower, pool, and ocean! I don’t have to worry about checking a bag when I travel to make sure I can lug around my over 3 ounces container of contact solution. I can just go to bed at night without having to remind myself to take out my contacts.
Life is just easier when you don’t have to worry about glasses and contacts. Like my shirt says, I am straight out of contacts and I am loving it!
My LASIK recovery was also easy. I had 20/15 vision within 24 hours and no pain throughout the process. I was able to shower and workout normally within a week and felt like my eyes were fully back to normal within a month. While I’ve dealt with some dryness, it was no more noticeable than the dryness I had before surgery. And thanks to the magic of permanent punctal plugs, I have less dry eye symptoms now than I’ve ever had before.
I’ve talked to quite a few of you guys about LASIK since I mentioned I was interested in getting it, and first went to my LASIK consultation, so I thought I would share some of my biggest tips for LASIK recovery. Big caveat: I am not a doctor or medical professional in any way. This is purely my experience and not intended to be medical advice in any way, shape, or form.
5 tips for LASIK recovery
1. Pick a good surgeon
If you want to have a good LASIK recovery, the absolute most important thing you can do is pick a good surgeon. Your vision is one of the most important assets you have in life. Do your research, read reviews, and ask lots of questions. This is not the time to look for the cheapest price. You are putting your sight in someone else’s hands. Make sure you feel good about it.
In going to Kugler Vision, my eyes were in the very capable hands of Dr. Kugler. He is so talented and I felt confident and comfortable in his care. His entire staff was professional, put me at ease, and most importantly, knew their stuff. My entire LASIK experience at Kugler Vision has been phenomenal and I recommend the practice completely and wholeheartedly.
2. Don’t rub your eyes
If you’re someone who touches their face a lot (guilty!) this can be hard to deal with at first, but you get used to it. Rubbing your eyes while they heal can lead to surgery complications and is just not good for your eyes in general. Use this recovery time as an opportunity to break yourself of a bad habit. After jaw surgery I managed to stop biting my fingernails. And after LASIK I managed to stop mindlessly rubbing my eyes.
3. Take your eye drops
You’ll have to take medicated eye drops for the first week after surgery, but it’s so important to keep taking the preservative free eye drops they give you after that (And then eventually switch to regular eye drops). Eye drops keep the eyes moist which helps them heal. They also just feel really good. I was using drops every hour for the first few weeks, then every few hours for the first few months. I’m now using eye drops once or twice a day and just love how they make my eyes feel. As someone who has always had dry eyes, I should have started using eye drops years ago!
4. Wear sunglasses
My eyes were sensitive to light after surgery so it was so important for me to wear sunglasses when I went outside. It also just helped me feel like my eyes were protected while they were so fresh and new from surgery. Surgery is a great excuse to treat yourself to a gorgeous new pair of frames!
5. Take your recovery at your own pace
My LASIK recovery tips are pretty light because recovery was so easy for me. Aside from treating myself to a new pair of sunglasses, I didn’t need to buy myself anything special or make any major modifications to my life. It really is that simple, and over in the blink of an eye. (Bad pun!)
For me, one of my biggest tips for LASIK recovery has nothing do with the physical recovery. You just had eye surgery and are able to go back to work the next day and resume your normal life. You’re not alone if you feel scared about treating your eyes like your regular eyes so quickly again. I think it’s important to give yourself grace and take that mental recovery at your own pace. After LASIK I babied my eyes for way longer than they needed. It took me a month to feel like I could put on makeup and use a washcloth on my face again. Just know that even if you’re an extra-cautious person like me, you’ll be back to putting on eyeshadow and mascara without a second thought in no time.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, I am 100% happy I had the surgery and have zero regrets. I tell all my family and friends who ask me about it that getting LASIK was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Questions of the Day: Have you had LASIK? How long did it take you to feel like your eyes were fully back to normal? Any tips for recovery I missed?
Kugler Vision provided complimentary LASIK services in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m glad you’re happy after LASIK. Maybe I should recommend my sister for LASIK too since she has been wearing glasses for more than 8 years.
I am getting glasses for the first time next week, I was thinking about Lasik after the Dr told me I had a astigmatism.
I am happy you had it. My husband had lasik before and he loves it, his vision was very poor and now it is ideal.
Wow! Great story. I love that this technology has enhanced the lives of so many people.
Nice tips for Lasik, I will share this with my bro, he is thinking about getting it.
I’m hesitant about getting lasik myself, but I’m glad it worked out for you! I’ve heard great things about lasik and it’s lasting improvements on ones eyesight. Maybe one day I’ll muster up the courage to do it! lol
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Lasik. I’ve known several family members and friends to have the procedure and just rave about it. I guess since my sight isn’t so impaired, I don’t mind wearing my glasses on a regular basis. But I’m sure for someone like my mom (she’s near-sighted in one eye and far-sighted in the other) it would be incredible beneficial!
These are really great tips. I’ve been wanting to get LASIK for years now.
This is something that I have been contemplating on getting done. My vision has been greatly affected by my diabetes. I hate having to wear glasses! Maybe before the year ends, I will get this done.
Wow, I’m so glad that you love your surgery. I’ve never had it and don’t know anyone that has either, but I can imagine that it’s life changing!
Good article! All good things to know. I wish insurance would pay for it! That Tshirt tho. Love it
there no greater joy than accomplishing something you have always dreamed about, am happy for you dear.
Wow what a game changer!! Glad to hear you had such an amazing experience with Lasik!
Your shirt is so funny and cool! I’m glad you don’t regret your decision and are happy to be without contacts!
nice to hear you do not need to wear contacts anymore after the lasik surgery!
My brother in law had lasik many years ago. Before that he had to wear thick glasses.
I’ve considered getting LASIK surgery, but my vision only requires glasses for far away — it really is difficult to remember glasses for so much, though! Great tips, and I absolutely love your shirt!
My sister got LASIK surgery too and she said her vision is perfect! I am thinking of getting one myself. I will have to talk with my endocrinologist about it and if she gives me a go signal, then I will have it done the soonest!
Oh awesome! I just started wearing glasses so I dont think I qualify, but my son wears them too. Any idea what the minimum age is for Lasik? I think it might make his life easier….
Hi Viktoria! I work at Kugler Vision, where Erin got LASIK. We don’t perform LASIK on anyone until they are 18 years old. But the biggest age requirement for LASIK is just to ensure that you have reached Ocular Maturity– that’s the point at which the eye is done developing. The prescription stabilizes at this point and the eye is ready for a longterm solution like LASIK. Most people hit ocular maturity at about 18 years of age.
“Don’t rub your eyes” and “take your eyedrops”….got it!
These are such great tips! My husband had it done s few years ago and said it was the best decision!
The surgeon is the key. The rest can be alleviated if problematic, but if your surgeon isn’t top notch, nothing is else is going to matter.
I’m way too much of a scaredy cat to get it lol I need to get on board so bad though!
I would like to have LASIK too maybe soon. I want to have that 20/20 vision again.
These are great tips! I had LASIK done myself a few months ago and it was seriously the BEST decision!! I’m so happy!
These are great tips that I’ll have to share with my friends who had Lasik! Also your shirt is too funny!
My husband wants to get this done so I will have to save this post if he ever does!
My eyesight is starting to diminish so much now that I am in my very late 40s. I have been considering it, but am not sure if my older people can get it. I’ve never heard that they have, but I’m going to check into it. I’m glad your recovery was flawless.
I really want to get lasik done to my eyes. I think my eyes would do well with it.
i have ben wearing glasses almost my whole life. i would love to have lasik. sounds like you have had an amazing experience.
My husband had this surgery when he was 18. Best decision he ever made.
these are some great tips for people planning to do lasik. it sounds like the technology has come a long way!
I had been giving this some thought lately and thought I would consider Lasik. Your experience really helps sway me!
I’m so glad you had a positive experience! The idea of Lasik has always terrified me, but I could definitely benefit from it!
Glad your LASIK surgery was a success. Our eyes are the windows to our soul. It’s great that you had a positive experience.
I would consider getting Lasik someday. My stepmom had it done and loved that she didn’t have to wear glasses.
My sister has thought about getting LASIK because she has been wearing glasses and contacts her whole life. She’s afraid of the surgery so she hasn’t decided to do it yet. Life is definitely easier without glasses!
I’ve been thinking about Lasik, maybe someday if my confidence, time and money is enough.. ?
These are great tips for those who are looking to get LASIK surgery. My friend’s husband had it at a young age. No complaints to this day.
I’m so glad that lasik worked out for you! I’ve heard it’s amazing for so many people.
Lasik sounds fabulous. I’ve heard so many amazing things about it and I am glad you had such a great experience.
After my baby is born I plan on looking into getting Lasik!!!! I have wanted to correct my vision for forever – and I’d love to just wake up and be able to see LOL
I have heard about Lasik and wondered if it was worth it. Your experience suggests that it is!
I’ve worn glasses and contacts for most of my life and I have been thinking of getting Lasik surgery. My issue is that it would be more expensive than for most because I have EXTREMELY bad vision and astigmatism to boot which complicates things. Still, I agree with you that it’d just be a lot easier to not have to worry about glasses or contacts!
I am so happy to hear that it has worked for you.
More power to you girl.
My husband had LASIK surgery years ago and it was the best decision ever. I can only imagine how nice it is not to worry about needing glasses anymore.
Thank you for the very helpful information! I will pass it on to my friends.
Thank you for the tips. My husband is considering having LASIK.
congrats on your lasik surgery! glad everything went well for you. cute shirt btw.
These tips are great! No wonder you’re so happy with LASIK and your recovery went so well!
Hi Viktoria! I work at Kugler Vision, where Erin got LASIK. We don’t perform LASIK on anyone until they are 18 years old. But the biggest age requirement for LASIK is just to ensure that you have reached Ocular Maturity– that’s the point at which the eye is done developing. The prescription stabilizes at this point and the eye is ready for a longterm solution like LASIK. Most people hit ocular maturity at about 18 years of age.