Reducing Pain after LASIK Surgery

For patients who are looking to reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses, LASIK surgery offers one of the most advanced and promising laser eye treatments. LASIK addresses irregularities on the cornea so that patients are able to refract light properly and achieve clearer vision. The results of LASIK are long lasting and are often effective enough to rid patients of their glasses or contact lenses. Another benefit of LASIK is its quick recovery period. Still, LASIK will likely result in some side effects for patients, and knowing how to deal with those side effects can make the recovery period more comfortable. Dr. Howard S. Kornstein is happy to offer tips for reducing LASIK pain to his White Plains patients.

How Much Discomfort Will I Experience after LASIK?

Pain and discomfort is a common side effect of surgery, so patients should anticipate this while they recovery from LASIK surgery. While the exact side effects that are felt by each patient will be different, most patients do not experience a great deal of pain. On average, discomfort following LASIK is moderate and lasts little more than a few days after surgery, or up to a week at most. What’s more, this discomfort can be easily managed by following some simple aftercare tips.

Tips for Reducing LASIK Pain

Although it may not be possible to prevent LASIK side effects such as pain, there are steps that can be taken during recovery to reduce the severity of symptoms. Below are some helpful tips that patients should follow if they would like to reduce pain and discomfort following LASIK treatment:

• Use over-the-counter pain medication, as needed
• Wear protective eye shields and dark sunglasses home after surgery and avoid exposure to bright lights for the first couple of days of recovery
• Plan to sleep for several hours after returning home from surgery, as this is when the eyes will be the most sensitive
• Use provided medicated eye drops to keep inflammation down and to avoid a painful infection
• Use moisturizing eye drops frequently throughout the day to prevent the eyes from becoming overly dry
• Avoid rubbing or itching the eyes, as this can damage the corneal flap that was made during surgery and could cause a painful complication
• Follow all post-operative care instructions to the letter to improve the chances of a quick and smooth recovery process

If patients adhere to all of these recommendations, the discomfort felt during LASIK recovery should be minimal, and the eyes should heal in a timely manner. If pain is extremely severe, or if any other unusual side effects are experienced, this should be reported to Dr. Kornstein right away so that the eyes can be examined for any signs of surgical complication.

Contact Us

LASIK surgery offers patients extremely satisfying LASIK results with minimal recovery time and few side effects. If you would like to learn more about this beneficial laser eye treatment and if it may be right for you, contact us at your earliest convenience. Dr. Howard S. Kornstein looks forward to hearing from you.