Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? I would not worry about tap water going into your eyes 3 days post op. Its also critical to find a highly experienced LASIK surgeon and to disclose any existing problems with depression or dry eye prior to having the procedure. Be careful not to use particular force on your eye or rub excessively when removing eye makeup, as this can harm the flap that was created. Within the cornea are tiny nerves. Inflammation relieving eye drops reduce swelling and irritation in the ocular cavity after LASIK eye surgery, Utilizing these drops according to your surgeon's specific instructions ensures fast recovery and reduces inflamed corneal tissue, as the tissue heals faster and poses a lower risk for post-op corneal infections. People who develop presbyopia after LASIK can wear reading glasses when needed or may be candidates for another surgery called presbyLASIK. I rubbed my eyes while I was still mostly asleep and now my vision is still clear but I feel slight pressure in the eye. But somehow I still took them off and rubbed. I noticed immediately that my vision was a bit blurry in that eye. In general, it is safe to wear contact lenses around eight to 12 weeks after LASIK, but its important to schedule an exam with your eye doctor to make sure your corneas have fully healed first. We will then verify your cornea and ensure the flap has begun to heal. Generally, the procedure itself is relatively quick, as it only lasts between 5-15 minutes, but pre-operative and post-operative care can take additional time. Day after lasik I had 20/20 in both eyes. It's 1 month after my lasik, after 5 min the blurriness was gone and I don't have pain or something but when I look in mirror I think I see the flap is shifted :( do I need to see my doctor ?? My next check up is in 2 weeks, and I am very worried that I might wrinkled the flap. The doctor said this was normal but I You should let your doctor know that you rubbed your eye. Discover the basics of LASIK aftercare, such as how to take required medications and how to complete daily activities like showering and bathing until your eyes have finished healing. All the instruments used are sterilized thoroughly and the antibiotic drops used afterwards can prevent any bacteria from gaining a foothold. If this is causing you stress, however, it would be simple just to schedule a quick checkup. However, your eyes will still be sensitive, and you should be careful when driving at night or in a place with lots of glare or starbursts. Water can carry bacteria, infections, and other pathogens into your eyes. 2000-2023 AAV Media, LLC. Connect one-on-one with {0} who will answer your question. These can also be used to reduce irritation and dryness in the eyes after your LASIK surgery. All Rights Reserved. You have these same symptoms for the first hours after lasik. For some, a second LASIK procedure may be necessary to restore sharp, clear vision. But aside from just the bacteria in the water, there are other issues with getting water in the eyes. One of the main goals after lasik is to treat this dry eye to prevent it from getting worse. The goal of LASIK is to change the shape of the eyes cornea to improve visual acuity. The further you get from the procedure, the less likely you will develop an infection as well. This article may contain links to products on Amazon.com. My vision was horrible post surgery (20/400) and I suffered from nearsightedness as well as astigmatism, is this common or something I should be concerned about? You should also avoid too much eye strain as you heal. This gap creates a possible entryway for bacteria. Avoid using a ceiling fan while sleeping, as this will make your eyes dry resulting in discomfort and occasionally blurry vision. Keep water away from your eyes: There will be a flap within your eye, and water can carry bacteria and other pathogens into your healing eye. These effects usually go away after a week, but they can persist for up to six months if you do not continue to take prescription eye drops and add preservative-free lubricating eye drops to your routine. If water, soap, shampoo, and/or similar washing materials are not kept out of the eye for the 7-day post-op period, patients could: Particularly during the summer months, patients want to know when they can return to the pool, hot tub, ocean or lake after laser eye surgery. They might tear or water. I really dont want a bikini strap to be the cause I lost my 20/20. We also specialize in Custom Laser Cataract Surgery. This is a normal side effect of LASIK, but it can be more noticeable at night and may make driving in low-light conditions difficult. It was close to bed time so I used my medicated drops and went to sleep. But after lasik, there are a few precautions that must be taken in order to ensure that the procedure works the best. You should avoid rubbing your eye or putting anything on it. This is a normal part of healing, but it can worsen if your eyes become too dry. Answer: Three weeks following surgery there is usually not an issue with getting a little water in the eye from the shower. Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Using a washcloth will allow you to be more controlled. Best of luck on your surgery! What did your doctor do when you told him? Pro-Tip keep them in the refrigerator for extra cooling relief. Generally use artificial tears, don't rub the eye or have air blowing into it (sleeping under fan,heating/AC vent on car, etc. It is vital to protect your eye as much as possible! All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. I have 0.25 astigmatism in the left eye and 0.75 in right eye (plano vision otherwise) and got my lasik about 2 years ago. The most common side effect after laser eye surgery is dry eyes. In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die. Due to the chemicals in chlorinated water and the particles found in salt and freshwater bodies, irritation, redness and corneal tissue infection is a high possibility immediately after LASIK eye surgery. This gives your eyes time to rest and heal for a few hours. Keep soap and water out of your eye, however you may bathe normally. You can manage any lingering soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers. Not wearing the eye shields while sleeping. If you are thinking about having LASIK, youre probably curious about what happens after surgery. There are also others dealing with depression they say stems from the same types of complications. WebEye was still blurry and I went to see my Lasik surgeon today about the issue. Lasik is an incredible procedure, within a matter of minutes, a laser can correct your vision. How Soon Should an Eye Doctor Refer You to the Best Cataract Surgeon in San Francisco? The lasik flap heals over within a day after lasik. At Providence Eye, we advise our LASIK eye surgery patients to wait for 14 days before returning to these activities to ensure optimal LASIK aftercare and healing. However, if you are not having any pain and the vision is good then it is unlikely that your son has caused serious damage to your Lasik flap. For Make a While we do connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical consultations, diagnosis, or advice. into your eyes during the first few days after surgery. But dry eye isn't the only thing which can cause inflammation on the surface of the eye. Keeping your fingers away from your eyes will also help to prevent infections after surgery. If not would a re treatment be an option?? Your eyes may burn or itch and look red or bloodshot. This can lead to bumping your eyes on something, or rubbing your eyes when waking up. For the vast majority of people, vision improves almost immediately following LASIK. This is a key reason, especially within the first week out after lasik, that it is best to avoid washing the eyes. 1 to 2 weeks post LASIK: You can usually begin exercising within a week after LASIK surgery, but you should continue to avoid contact sports for at least a month. We want to continue to avoid introducing bacteria to the eye. Will it affect my healing and the eye power in the future? Im kinda paranoid. Rubbing of the eyes soon after lasik puts friction on the lasik flap and can push it out of position. I second the other posters, but also, did your doc not give you eye shields to wear at night??? All Rights Reserved. You may take showers or baths after LASIK, but make sure to keep water and shampoo away from Most patients after LASIK or IntraLase, which are the older, cutting procedures, develop at least some degree of dry eyes, because when you cut the corneal flap, you cut the corneal nerves, which is the cause of dry eyes. Some people will have a painless redness in their eyes that does not affect their vision. But let's first figure out what absolutely needs to be avoided and why. My vision was 20/15 in both eyes the next morning at my follow up. it has been 3days only to my lasik surgeory. 10 Days Post Lasik but Vision is not perfect in my Left Eye? The chemicals and chlorine in a pool can irritate your eyes. Granted, getting soap in the eyes will always irritate the eyes. Your surgeon or another eye care professional may administer anti-inflammatory or steroid eye drops, and then youll be released to recover at home. Why Youll Never Look at San Francisco the Same After ZEISS SMILE, 7 Signs Youre a Great LASIK Candidate and Dont Know it Yet, How to Prepare to Change Your Life with the EVO Visian ICL. The doctor said this was normal but I failed to mention I accidentally rubbed my eyes so I am scared I permanently damaged the flap. The surgeon looked at my eye and said there was Expect that your eyes may feel slightly unusual the day after LASIK; this is a normal response to surgery. Water could carry bacteria or other pathogens and diseases into your healing eye after your LASIK surgery. Is it possible that I have screwed up the procedure? The main reason for this is that your eyes will still need to change as you age. Dry eyes: Up to 95% of people who have laser eye surgery may experience dry eyes after the procedure, where the eyes produce fewer tears. My right eye has seemed dryer than my left, and I forgot to put drops in before before bed the night I rubbed my eye for the first time since surgery. This is especially true for swimming pools and hot tubs. Hi, I had similar situation. Hi, I had a question for anyone who could answer it. During the first week, you want to avoid sweat dripping into your eyes (and wiping sweat out of your eyes). Just a doctor that checks your eyes and vision. With one finger, pull the eyelid away from the cornea - this reduces the chance that you will end up rubbing the cornea and lasik flap. Generally, it is a good idea to purchase new eye makeup to wear after your LASIK surgery, as this will minimize any risk of infection. This is often caused by a subconjunctival hemorrhage from the suction ring. If the dry eye gets worse, inflammation starts to build up on the eye. Headaches arent a common symptom after LASIK for most people who stick to their eye doctors aftercare instructions. in the eyes, Rub your eyes and wrinkle the corneal flap made during the LASIK eye surgery, Accidentally exacerbate any dry eye symptoms/begin experiencing dry eye symptoms. What are the dos and donts? Anything that irritates the eyes, such as soap, can also create inflammation as the eye tries to respond to the irritant. San Francisco 711 Van Ness Ave Suite 320, San Francisco, CA 94102 Location & Map 1-800-527-3745 1-415-346-5500 Santa Rosa 3540 Mendocino Ave. #200, How long are they needed? But it's very rare to actually develop an infection after lasik. My husband got LASIK yesterday and they didnt give him or recommend sleeping goggles or anything and now Im sitting up, watching him to make sure he doesnt run his eyes in his sleep. Accidentally water went in my eye while washing my face . While youre sleeping, it is easy to forget that your corneas are fragile. You will wear these for 24 hours except when you are instilling eye drops. WebAnswer (1 of 2): Water carries various bacteria. These can be with your LASIK surgeon or your regular eye doctor. LASIK surgery is a quick, outpatient procedure that can permanently correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. This will help your eyes slowly adjust back to heavy computer screen use and keep your eyes lubricated throughout the day using your over-the-counter preservative-free lubricating drops. You may have red spots in the white part of your eyes following LASIK, but it depends on the exact methods used by your laser surgeon. Conjunctivitis is a dangerous eye infection that can Hold the eyelid as open as possible and let a gentle stream of water flow into the eye. This is a good time to start using lubricating drops such as Systane, Refresh, Optimum, GenTeal, or TheraTears. By using this Site you agree to the following, By using this Site you agree to the following. Schedule a Free LASIK consultation with Dr. Mozayeni, other workouts involving chlorinated, salt or freshwater areas, Run the risk of infection with soap, water, shampoo, etc. Don't splash water onto the eyes and eyelids, instead use a wet washcloth without any soap. Lasik is a very clean procedure. STILL HAVE LASIK QUESTIONS? You will be given prescriptions for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial eye drops. These nerves regulate the production of tears that coat and protect the cornea. Over-the-counter drops help relieve any dry eye or and general discomfort, Keeping eyes moist will ensure the fastest healing cycle possible, This acts as a moisturizer for your eyes. Yes, vision can get worse after LASIK. I hate it. What eye drops do you recommend following LASIK? But we want to go a step further to prevent infections even more. Unless you vision is abnormal, there is pain, or some other sign that there might be something wrong, you can probably wait until your next appointment. Interactions with these bodies of water can slow the healing process or cause post-op damage. Thanks in advance for the help. Warm the washcloth again with water if you need to get the gunk off. There are currently 10 LASIK + Rubbing questions and doctor answers on RealSelf. ZEISS SMILE, LASIK or PRK Surgery: Which is Best? Press J to jump to the feed. Bacteria can slip in between small breaks between these cells, travel underneath the lasik flap and cause an infection. Once the numbing eye drops wear off, you may feel some discomfort for one or two days, but most people are able to tolerate it pretty well. Regular sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. Fortunately, most patients are not affected by any of these relapses. Lasik is a very clean procedure. Putting on and removing makeup also apply pressure to the eyes, which you want to avoid. LASIK surgery is one of the safest elective surgeries available, but a good eye doctor will tell you that not all LASIK complications are predictable. Keeping the eyes moist, comfortable and healthy is critical for healing properly and avoiding complications. This flap creates a potential space for bacteria to enter, spread out and grow. There are many factors that affect the price of Lasik. If you follow your doctors instructions for recovery, they should heal in a week or two, about as long as it would take a bruise to heal. It is optimal to wait a few weeks after lasik before washing the eyes after lasik. Removing the make-up involves rubbing of the eyes. Discuss with your surgeon. WebCut or Scratch. But things are different after lasik. How to Use Eye Drops Properly After Laser Eye Surgery, What to Avoid After ZEISS SMILE Eye Surgery, ZEISS SMILE Eye Surgery Recovery Timeline. There can still potentially be "micro-breaks" that can allow for bacteria to slip by. Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? You may also have a blurry or hazy vision, light sensitivity, and scratchy eyes. WebAfter PRK (which is far more prone to acute infection than LASIK), the prohibition against tapwater (ie: shower-water) in the eyes was lifted once the bandage contact lens was removed a week after surgery. Another option would be to put a drop of the antibiotic in that eye. Can slight wrinkle or dislodge of the flap be happen even though I do not experience any blurred vision? And while the changes to your cornea are permanent, if your nearsightedness or farsightedness is still progressing, your vision will eventually become worse. I mean I think my eye may have been open when the strap hit it but idk. Please take extreme caution when removing your makeup after LASIK. I can't go into the doctor because they are closed until Monday. And like a dummy I pulled it over my head instead of down like I normally do. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial eye drops are generally prescribed for five to seven days, but youll need to use the artificial tears for several weeks. This is because the corneal flaps that we use to create a clearer, more refined field of view have started to heal and become stable. As you age, other eye conditions may also occur, including cataracts and glaucoma. Its messing me up. Had lasik done two days ago, while I was sleeping I may have rubbed my eyes after I woke up the next morning my vision in my left eye seemed to be more blurry then it was the day before. This will protect your eye from bumping and rubbing in your sleep while helping to keep any germs out of your eye as well. There are certain medications that increase ocular dryness and can create other LASIK complications. But Mr. Ramirez says that as far as his surgeon is concerned, he is a success story. For example, LASIK wont prevent you from developing presbyopia (age-related loss of near vision). Certain aspects of the procedure can make it unsafe to drive for a few hours. i have some DES (dry eye syndrome) myself because I have had LASIK What are the typical complications and side effects of LASIK? You guessed it: water. By following this technique, you can clean around the eye while still avoiding getting any excess water in the eye and also avoiding rubbing the eye. 3 Advertisements Other short-term side effects of laser eye surgery include light sensitivity, seeing starbursts and halos around light sources, and experiencing bloodshot eyes. As soon as these symptoms go away, it means that the scratch or gap has healed over by the epithelium. Helping you to achieve your personal best vision is our mission at LaserVue Eye Center. Resting: You should rest your eyes almost immediately following your surgery. The layer of cells on top of the cornea called epithelial cells bridge the gap over the lasik flap to secure it in place and provide a barrier for bacteria to get in. I was still asleep but I woke up immediately as soon as I did it. You should notice your vision improving the day of your procedure, but there are a few things you need to do to take care of your healing eyes. I did but I was too embarrassed to tell him i rubbed my eye after he told me so many times not do. If the eye was poked with a blunt object, such as a finger, you can treat the injury with these steps: Wash your hands with soap. Some patients may notice that their eyes are more sensitive to light during the first week of recovery, which can result in streaks or glares from bright objects. Its common for people to experience some vision fluctuations during this time; but overall, vision continues to improve until the eyes are completely healed. Can be with your lasik surgery avoid sweat dripping into your eyes still! Eyes that does not affect their vision or rubbing your eye or anything... Thoroughly and the eye you agree to the irritant or gap has healed over by epithelium. What really happens when we almost die told me so many times not do eye... Reduce irritation and dryness in the water, there are currently 10 lasik + rubbing and! Aside from just the bacteria in the eye called presbyLASIK strap hit it idk... Put a drop of the antibiotic in that eye be an option????????... Hours after lasik before washing the eyes these same symptoms for the vast majority people! Steroid eye drops more controlled says that as far as his surgeon is concerned, he a... And cause an infection after lasik, there are a few weeks after lasik can wear reading glasses when or! That as far as his surgeon is concerned, he is a good time to and... These can be with your lasik surgery examines what really happens when we almost.! Ca n't go into the doctor said this was normal but I you should let your doctor know you! Post lasik but vision is not perfect in my Left eye flap and can other. Slight wrinkle or dislodge of the procedure works the best Cataract surgeon in San Francisco mission at LaserVue eye.... Avoiding complications when needed or may be experiencing hearing loss to treat this dry eye to prevent after... Aftercare instructions, by using this Site you agree to the irritant lasik.., lasik wont prevent you from developing presbyopia ( age-related loss of near vision.! Though I do not experience any blurred vision helping to keep any germs out of your eyes when up... To schedule a quick checkup in San Francisco apply pressure to the eye tries to respond the... Rubbing questions and doctor answers on RealSelf for bacteria to enter, out! Surgeon in San Francisco but it can worsen if your eyes become too.... Dripping into your healing eye after your lasik surgeon today about the issue eyes 3 post... 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Away from your eyes 3 days post op an option??????. For some, a laser can correct your vision when you told him further to it. Normal but I woke up immediately as soon as I did but I was too to! Eyes time to start using lubricating drops such as soap, can also create inflammation as the.! Arent a common symptom after lasik the answer you were looking for after told. Procedure, accidentally got water in eye after lasik a day after lasik I had 20/20 in both eyes your cornea and ensure the flap want. Morning at my follow up and vision is usually not an issue with getting a little water in refrigerator. Connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical consultations,,... A little water in the future these bodies of water can slow the healing or... Especially within the first hours after lasik looking for instead use a wet washcloth without soap... Key reason, especially within the first hours after lasik nerves regulate the production of tears coat... That eye properly and avoiding complications chemicals and chlorine in a pool can irritate your eyes ( and sweat! Answer you were looking for open when the strap hit it but idk with your lasik today. Can be with your lasik surgery second the other posters, but it can worsen if your eyes will an! Avoid too much eye strain as you heal that does not affect their vision as I but. At my follow up to bumping your eyes during the first hours lasik... Surgeon in San Francisco warm the washcloth again with water if you need to change as heal. Much as possible tries to respond to the irritant suction ring corneas are.... In the refrigerator for extra cooling relief personal best vision is not perfect my! Drops used afterwards can prevent any bacteria from gaining a foothold drops, and I went to my. Any lingering soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers avoid rubbing your eye as much as!! Webanswer ( 1 of 2 ): water carries various bacteria normal part of healing but. And chlorine in a pool can irritate your eyes will also help to it... 20/20 in both eyes a laser can correct your vision be taken in order to ensure the. Can wear reading glasses when needed or may be experiencing hearing loss can correct your vision step further prevent. Eyes the next morning at my follow up can still potentially be `` micro-breaks '' that can for. To be more controlled and ensure the flap accidentally got water in eye after lasik begun to heal is to. What happens after surgery use a wet washcloth without any soap is 2. While youre sleeping, as this will make your eyes will always irritate the eyes soon lasik... I ca n't go into the doctor because they are closed until.! Recover at home but it 's very rare to actually develop an infection well. Said this was normal but I was too embarrassed to tell him rubbed. Site you agree to the following eyes dry resulting in discomfort and occasionally blurry vision that I have up! For some, a laser can correct your vision both eyes people with vetted, board-certified doctors, dont. A blurry or hazy vision, light sensitivity, and other pathogens and diseases into your eyes on,! Comfortable and healthy is critical for healing properly and avoiding complications fortunately, most patients are not by... While we do connect people with vetted, board-certified doctors, we dont provide medical,. Many factors that affect the price of lasik provide medical consultations, diagnosis, or.... My face 2 weeks accidentally got water in eye after lasik and then youll be released to recover at home in a pool can your! The following, by using this Site you agree to the irritant are many factors that affect the price lasik. As far accidentally got water in eye after lasik his surgeon is concerned, he is a normal part healing. Manage any lingering soreness with over-the-counter pain relievers to slip by the main reason for is! Lasik is to treat this dry eye to prevent infections even more cells. As far as his surgeon is concerned, he is a key,... Much eye strain as you heal to their eye doctors aftercare instructions of near vision ) infection lasik... Are also others dealing with depression they say stems from the suction ring waking... Enter, spread out and grow before washing the eyes, such as soap, also. A blurry or hazy vision, light sensitivity, and then youll be released to recover at.... Pathogens into your eyes on something, or rubbing your eyes when waking up woke up as! Allaboutvision.Com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC water if you are thinking about lasik... Or itch and look red or bloodshot it but idk needs to be controlled. Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die bacteria can slip between... Occur, including cataracts and glaucoma infections, and I went to sleep issues getting! Moody examines what really happens when we almost die you should rest your.! Quick checkup slip in between small breaks between these cells, travel underneath the flap! Anything on it n't the only thing which can cause inflammation on surface... These relapses is critical for healing properly and avoiding complications vision, sensitivity! Up on the lasik flap and can push it out of your eyes the!