How Long After LASIK Can I See 20/20?If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, you probably have many questions. One of the most common is how soon you can expect to achieve 20/20 vision after the procedure.Well, just as it’s important to know the difference between SMILE® Pro and LASIK, it’s crucial to note that the answer can be complicated, as everyone’s eyes heal differently. And this is because many factors can affect the speed and quality of your recovery, such as your age, overall health, and others.In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what you can expect in terms of vision improvement after LASIK as well as some of the factors that might affect your recovery after the procedure. We’ll also discuss some tips for a smooth recovery and when you can resume your normal activities.If you’re considering LASIK the best place to start is to check out our free online suitability test. Alternatively, if you can always call us on 08 7082 2066 at or book an appointment here.How Long After LASIK Can I See 20/20?Most patients achieve 20/20 vision within 24 to 48 hours after LASIK surgery, although some may take up to a week. It’s important to note that while many patients reach 20/20 vision, visual acuity can continue to improve and stabilise over the next few months[12]. Follow-up visits with your eye surgeon will ensure your vision is progressing as expected and address any concerns you may have during the healing process.1Schallhorn & Venter, 2009In a study of over 3,000 LASIK patients, nearly 95% achieved 20/20 vision or better. The vast majority of these patients achieved this level of vision within the first few days after their procedure.2Schallhorn & Venter, 2009However, it’s important to remember that 20/20 vision isn’t the only measure of success after LASIK. Many people achieve vision that’s even better than 20/20.3Giessler & Duncker, 2001What Happens Immediately After LASIK?Right after the procedure, your vision will be blurry. This is normal and expected. You’ll need to rest your eyes for the remainder of the day.Your surgeon will likely provide you with protective shields to wear over your eyes while you sleep for the first few nights. This is to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes and disturbing the healing process.You might experience some discomfort, such as burning, itching, or the feeling that something is in your eye. This is also normal and usually subsides within a few hours. Your surgeon will provide you with eye drops to help manage any discomfort and prevent infection.Most people start to see a significant improvement in their vision within the first 24 hours after LASIK. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s eyes heal differently.4Lim & Fam, 2006When Can I Go Home after LASIK?LASIK is an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. In fact, most people are in and out of the surgery centre within a couple of hours.However, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the procedure. Your vision will be blurry, and you might still be feeling the effects of any medication you were given to help you relax during the surgery.Factors Affecting Recovery after LASIKWhile most people achieve excellent vision after LASIK, several factors can affect the speed and quality of your recovery. Let’s look at each of these in more detail.1. AgeAs we age, our eyes take longer to heal. This means that older patients might take slightly longer to achieve their full visual potential after LASIK.2. Overall HealthYour overall health can also impact your recovery after LASIK. Certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or diabetes, can slow down the healing process.It’s important to discuss any health conditions with your surgeon before your procedure. They might recommend waiting until your condition is well-controlled before proceeding with LASIK. 5Schallhorn & Venter, 20093. Prescription StrengthThe strength of your prescription before LASIK can also affect your recovery. People with very high prescriptions might take slightly longer to achieve their full visual potential.However, even people with very high prescriptions can achieve excellent results with LASIK. In fact, LASIK has been shown to be effective for prescriptions as high as -12.00 dioptres of myopia.6Rajy et al., 20024. Corneal ThicknessThe thickness of your cornea can also impact your recovery after LASIK. If your corneas are particularly thin, your surgeon might recommend an alternative procedure, such as PRK.However, most people have corneas that are thick enough for LASIK. Your surgeon will measure the thickness of your corneas during your initial consultation.7Randleman et al., 20025. Pupil SizeThe size of your pupils can also affect your recovery after LASIK. People with very large pupils might be at a slightly higher risk for certain side effects, such as glare or halos around lights at night.However, modern LASIK technology has greatly reduced the risk of these side effects. Your surgeon will measure your pupil size during your initial consultation and discuss any potential risks with you8Durrie et al., 2019.6. Dry EyesDry eyes are a common side effect of LASIK, especially in the first few months after the procedure. This is because LASIK temporarily disrupts the nerves that signal your brain to produce tears.If you have chronic dry eyes before LASIK, your recovery might take slightly longer. Your surgeon might recommend using artificial tears or other treatments to manage your dry eyes during the healing process9Vilaseca et al., 2009.7. Following Post-Op InstructionsPerhaps the most important factor in your recovery after LASIK is how closely you follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This includes using your eye drops as prescribed, avoiding rubbing your eyes, and attending all of your follow-up appointments.If you don’t follow these instructions, you risk compromising your results or even causing complications10Schallhorn & Venter, 2009. Be sure to ask your surgeon if you have any questions about your post-operative care.8. SmokingSmoking can significantly slow down your recovery after LASIK. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can irritate your eyes and interfere with the healing process.If you’re a smoker, your surgeon will likely recommend that you quit smoking for at least a few weeks before and after your LASIK procedure. This will give your eyes the best chance to heal properly and reduce the risk of complications11Landau et al., 2006.9. Eye RubbingIt’s important to avoid rubbing your eyes after LASIK, even if they feel itchy or irritated. Rubbing your eyes can dislodge the corneal flap and cause serious complications.If you feel the urge to rub your eyes, try using preservative-free artificial tears instead. These can help soothe any discomfort and keep your eyes moist during the healing process.Your surgeon will also provide you with protective eye shields to wear while sleeping for the first few nights after LASIK. These shields will prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes during sleep12Pinto et al., 2022.10. Alcohol ConsumptionConsuming alcohol after LASIK can also affect your recovery. Alcohol can cause dehydration, which can lead to dry eyes and discomfort.It’s best to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours after your LASIK procedure. After that, you can consume alcohol in moderation, but be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.If you do experience dry eyes after drinking alcohol, use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. And of course, never drive or operate machinery under the influence of alcohol, especially after eye surgery13Schallhorn & Venter, 2009.LASIK is a safe, effective procedure that has helped millions of people achieve excellent vision without glasses or contacts. While everyone’s recovery is slightly different, most people achieve 20/20 vision or better within a few days to a few weeks after the procedure.Several factors can affect your recovery, including your age, overall health, prescription strength, and how closely you follow your post-operative instructions. But with proper care and patience, you can look forward to enjoying the benefits of clearer vision for many years to come.How Long Does the LASIK Procedure Take?In most cases, the entire LASIK procedure takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes. That’s right – in less than half an hour, you could be on your way to clearer, sharper vision without the need for glasses or contacts.But how is this possible? Let’s break down the LASIK process step by step to understand how it works and why it’s so efficient.1. Preparing Your EyesWhile the actual laser correction part of LASIK is very quick, most of the procedure time is spent preparing your eyes for surgery. This is a crucial step to ensure the best possible results and minimise any risks.First, your surgeon will apply special eye drops to numb your eyes. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you might feel a little pressure or discomfort.Then your surgeon will use a device called a speculum to hold your eyelids open. This might feel a bit strange, but it’s necessary to keep your eyes still during the surgery.2. Creating the Corneal FlapOnce your eyes are numb and held open, your surgeon will use a special laser called a femtosecond laser to create a thin, circular flap in your cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye.Creating the corneal flap is a very delicate process, but it’s also very quick. It only takes about 10 seconds per eye. The femtosecond laser uses ultra-fast pulses of light to create a precise flap that’s just the right size and shape. This flap is then gently lifted back to expose the inner layers of your cornea.3. Reshaping Your CorneaWith the corneal flap lifted, your surgeon can now use a different laser, called an excimer laser, to reshape your cornea. This is the part of the procedure that actually corrects your vision.The excimer laser uses a cool ultraviolet light to remove tiny amounts of tissue from your cornea. This reshaping process is customised to your specific vision needs, based on detailed measurements taken before the surgery14Vilaseca et al., 2009.Reshaping your cornea with the excimer laser also takes just a few seconds per eye. The laser is guided by a computer that’s programmed with your eye measurements, ensuring maximum precision and accuracy.4. Replacing the Corneal FlapOnce your cornea is reshaped, your surgeon will carefully replace the corneal flap back into its original position. The flap will naturally adhere back into place over the next few minutes.There are no stitches or bandages needed after LASIK. The corneal flap will heal on its own, and you’ll be able to see more clearly almost immediately.The Whole Process So, let’s recap the entire LASIK procedure from start to finish:Numbing eye drops are appliedEyelids are held open with a speculumFemtosecond laser creates the corneal flap (10 seconds per eye)Excimer laser reshapes the cornea (a few seconds per eye)Corneal flap is replacedAll of these steps together usually take less than 30 minutes for both eyes. It’s a remarkably quick and efficient process.FAQs1. How long do I need to take off work after LASIK?Most people can return to work within a day or two after LASIK. However, if your job requires a lot of screen time or other visually demanding tasks, you might want to take a few extra days off to rest your eyes.2. When can I exercise after LASIK?You should avoid strenuous exercise for at least a week after LASIK. This includes activities like running, weightlifting, and contact sports. After a week, you can gradually resume your normal exercise routine15Pinto et al., 20223. Can I wear makeup after LASIK?You should avoid wearing eye makeup for at least a week after LASIK. When you do start wearing makeup again, be sure to use new, clean products to reduce the risk of infection.16Hammond et al., 20044. Will I need reading glasses after LASIK?LASIK corrects refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, it doesn’t prevent the natural age-related loss of close-up vision, known as presbyopia. If you’re over 40, you might still need reading glasses after LASIK.17Hersh et al., 20035. How often do I need follow-up appointments after LASIK?Your surgeon will schedule several follow-up appointments in the first few months after your LASIK procedure. These appointments are crucial for monitoring your healing and ensuring the best possible results.6. Can I have LASIK twice?In most cases, LASIK is a one-time procedure. However, if your vision changes significantly over time, you might be a candidate for a LASIK enhancement. This is a second LASIK procedure to fine-tune your results.18Hersh et al., 20037. Is LASIK painful?LASIK is generally not painful. You might feel some pressure or discomfort during the procedure, but this is usually well-tolerated with the help of numbing eye drops. After the procedure, you might experience some mild discomfort, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.19Hammond et al., 2004Thinking about getting laser eye surgery?Here at IVISON LASER, we provide top-quality laser eye surgery services. If you are interested in improving your vision, you can book an appointment with us here, or by calling us at 08 7082 2066.Who are IVISION LASER?IVISION LASER is a provider of comprehensive eye care services in Australia, specialising in laser eye surgery and vision correction procedures. Our team of ophthalmologists and eye care professionals is dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal vision and eye health.We believe in empowering our patients through education, ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their eye health. We strive to deliver the highest standard of care, tailored to each individual’s needs. Whether you’re considering laser eye surgery, seeking treatment for an eye condition, or simply due for a routine eye exam, IVISION LASER is here to provide compassionate care every step of the way.Why choose IVISION LASER for your laser eye surgery?Choosing the right clinic for your laser eye surgery is a crucial decision, and at IVISION LASER, we strive to provide the highest quality of care and expertise to our patients. Our team specialises in laser eye surgery and vision correction procedures, ensuring safe and effective results.From your initial consultation to post-operative care, we offer personalised support, answering your questions and providing guidance every step of the way. Book a free appointment today.