Daily activities after laser vision correction surgery, or how soon I will return to normal life

Answering the question posed in the title requires drawing a line between what we consider everyday activities and other activities. This is a breakneck task, because each of us, each patient undergoing laser vision correction, leads a different lifestyle.

For some, a return to daily activity will be a return to training at the pool or working in the uniformed services, for others, simply being able to shuffle around the house every day. However, there are types of activity that all of us, regardless of our profession or cultivated passion, would lump into a bag labeled “normal life.” What do they include?

Hygiene procedures

Within a day after the procedure, it is risky to both take a shower and a bath. The idea is to prevent water and cosmetics from getting into the eyes. It seems that if we already have to perform ablutions, however, it is better to sit in the bath rather than risk a shower. In the following days, we already carry out all hygienic procedures without fear, but constantly taking care that suds or other chemicals do not get into the eyes, because rubbing them is absolutely inadvisable.

Driving

If the surgery laser vision correction went as planned, without complications, you will be able to drive a car as early as 24-48 hours after the procedure. For many patients, this is an amazing experience, as they begin to see the road as clearly as never before. Of course, for the laser vision correction procedure itself, it’s a good idea to come with a friend to sit behind the wheel on the way back.

Keep in mind that in the first few days after the procedure, your vision may still be stabilizing, so you should be more careful – especially in the sun (you need to reach for sunglasses) and after dusk (you may have problems with accommodation).

Makeup

For about 2 weeks after the procedure, it is important not to paint the eyes. However, this does not exclude the use of lipstick, blush, concealer and foundation. It is important that facial makeup cosmetics do not get into the eye, such as applied on the hands, because any pollen that gets there carries the risk of contamination and infection, and thus postoperative complications.

Watching TV, working at the computer

For 24 hours after the procedure, you should not use electronic devices (TVs, smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, e-book readers). It is important to remember to regularly use antibiotic drops (if recommended by the doctor) and moisturizing drops (with sodium hyaluronate). When you return to using electronics after the indicated time, it is good to take breaks, for example, every half hour.

Physical activity, but not competitive sports and related training

We can return to normal daily physical activity for good only after a month, although minor exercises of lower intensity can be performed for a few days after the procedure, but making sure that sweat does not get into the eyes and that they are not rubbed.

For a month, the cornea regenerates. By the second week of recovery, the corneal tissue is healed enough to safely participate in sports such as tennis, squash, swimming, mountain biking and skiing – adequate protection with glasses/goggles is required, but power sports (boxing, martial arts, water skiing and sumo wrestling) require another two weeks of recovery.

Back to work

It all depends on what your work involves. You already know that you should be introduced to working in front of a computer gradually. Also, you shouldn’t be in air-conditioned, dusty, and drafty rooms.

You are not allowed to carry heavy loads. You must not be in the company of people who are sick with infections such as colds, flu, or infectious diseases.