Skip to main content
Vision Care
For Eye Care Professionals
back
Vision Care
recommended searches
popular searches
Disclaimer

This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.

Recovery after LASIK

How long will it be before my eyesight improves?

Once you have undergone laser vision correction, you will no doubt want to get back to your regular day-to-day life as quickly as possible. However, it is important to rest and allow your eyes to heal. There are many ways how you can support the recovery process after LASIK, but it is essential to carefully follow your eye doctor’s instructions post-surgery. They will also be able to advise you when you can resume certain activities, such as driving, swimming or contact sports.

Clinic Finder
Close-up of a woman’s face looking upward thoughtfully, representing the healing period after LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK recovery times

Recovery times from LASIK vary from patient to patient. LASIK surgery typically takes around 30 minutes, and you can usually resume light daily activities after a few days.
As the LASIK procedure involves creating a flap in your cornea, healing and recovery times after LASIK are often longer than typical for minimally invasive refractive procedures such as lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE or ZEISS SMILE pro. The flap gently sticks back onto the surface of the eye and is naturally protected as the outer layer of the eye (epithelium) grows back over it. There is a chance that the flap will become dislodged, which will lengthen recovery time.

Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.

ZEISS SMILE: A flapless alternative to LASIK

Find a clinic near you

If you are looking for a flapless procedure to correct your vision, lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE might be an alternative for you. ZEISS SMILE enables the fast recovery associated with minimally invasive refractive procedures. Consult your eye doctor to see if ZEISS SMILE is suitable for you. Use our clinic finder to look for a clinic offering ZEISS SMILE near you.

Find a clinic near you

Recovery after LASIK treatment

The phases of recovery after laser vision correction
Hand pulling a suitcase across a street, representing the patient’s departure from the clinic after laser eye surgery and the importance of not driving immediately afterward.

Right after LASIK treatment

Immediately after the procedure, your surgeon will prescribe eye drops to encourage corneal healing during the post-op period. They will also prescribe additional eye drops to use for the next few weeks.

You should not drive right after your treatment, so you will need to make alternative arrangements to get home from the clinic or hospital. Once you are home, try to get some rest or if you can, take a nap.

In the hours right after surgery, you could experience temporary visual fluctuations, light sensitivity or see light halos. These symptoms may disappear over time. And however tempting it may be, you should avoid rubbing your eyes.

Scenic view of ocean waves crashing against rocks seen through pine trees, representing sharp vision and natural detail after vision correction.

The first few days after LASIK

You should still not touch or rub your eyes (even if they feel a little itchy) as this may cause damage to your cornea. Some doctors may recommend wearing eye shields which will not only prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes but will also aid the healing process. And although washing your face or taking a shower is fine, you should avoid getting water directly in your eyes after LASIK.

Keep using the eye drops as prescribed. Follow the instructions carefully and complete the full course of treatment. These eye drops will also help alleviate further side-effects like dry eye, so make sure to administer them as directed.

It is important to attend all post-surgery checkups scheduled with your eye doctor to ensure the healing process is on course.

Smiling woman in sunglasses outdoors at sunset, symbolizing post-surgery confidence and protection from light sensitivity following laser eye treatment.

The weeks after LASIK

As the healing from the surgery progresses, you may want to start resuming your daily activities. Please consult your eye doctor to confirm when it will be safe to do so. If you go outside, it is a good idea to wear a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV exposure. What’s more, try to avoid smoky or dusty environments as airborne particles may irritate your eye or even interfere with the healing process. As a precautionary measure, you should also avoid wearing creams and makeup.

It is important to keep in contact with your doctor during your recovery. They will be able to advise you about when to return to work, resume sports or high-intensity activities, and start wearing makeup again.

Clinic Finder

Your eye doctor can help you find the best treatment option for your specific eye condition.
Find a clinic near you

This might also interest you

  • Woman reading comfortably in natural light, representing sharp, unaided vision after ZEISS SMILE pro treatment.

    ZEISS SMILE pro
  • Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.

    ZEISS SMILE

     
  • Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.

    PRK
  • Middle-aged asian woman looking calmly into the camera wearing an apron.

    ZEISS PRESBYOND
  • Out-of-focus view of sunlit leaves and branches against a bright sky.

    Astigmatism
  • Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

    Treatment comparison
  • Woman reading comfortably in natural light, representing sharp, unaided vision after ZEISS SMILE pro treatment.

    ZEISS SMILE pro

    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® pro from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction treatment. Using ZEISS SMILE pro, your surgeon can treat nearsightedness and farsightedness¹ with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure – with less than 10 seconds of laser exposure when treating nearsightedness2 and less than 13 seconds when treating farsightedness3.

  • Woman smiling peacefully in a living room setting, reflecting visual independence and comfort post-ZEIS SMILE surgery.

    ZEISS SMILE

    Lenticule extraction with SMILE® from ZEISS is an advanced laser vision correction. Using ZEISS SMILE, your surgeon can correct nearsightedness with or without astigmatism in a minimally invasive procedure.

  • Man smiling outdoors in a city environment, representing clarity and confidence following PRK laser vision treatment.

    PRK

    PRK, developed in the 1980s, was the first laser vision correction procedure and is still used today for certain patients. It can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While newer techniques like ZEISS SMILE, ZEISS SMILE pro and LASIK are available, PRK remains a trusted option for patients with specific eye conditions.

  • Middle-aged asian woman looking calmly into the camera wearing an apron.

    ZEISS PRESBYOND

    As you age, your vision becomes increasingly blurry up close. This condition is called presbyopia and refers to the natural decline in our eyesight over time. If you are seeking an alternative to glasses or contacts, laser vision correction like ZEISS PRESBYOND may help.

  • Out-of-focus view of sunlit leaves and branches against a bright sky.

    Astigmatism

    If you experience blurry vision, halos, or glare, especially at night, you may have astigmatism. This common condition occurs alongside nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). While glasses or contact lenses can correct it, laser vision correction offers an alternative solution for treating astigmatism.

  • Man in sports gear smiling after vision correction, symbolizing confidence and mobility post lenticule extraction with ZEISS SMILE pro.

    Treatment comparison

    Explore other options of laser vision correction and how they differ in technique, treatment approach or recovery time. Your eye doctor can help determine the best option for you.

  • 1

    Approved and available in selected markets.
  • 2

    Data on file (unpublished). Myopia with optical zone of 6.5 mm.
  • 3

    Data on file (unpublished). The whole procedure including extracting the lenticule lasts about 5 to 10 minutes per eye.