LASIK is a very popular vision treatment method today. It is an effective solution for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. It also helps those who have had surgery to see clearly again without having to rely on glasses or contact lenses. However, follow-up after LASIK is something that should not be overlooked. It helps to ensure that the patient will receive proper care and the results will be as expected. In this article, we will learn about follow-up after LASIK, including self-care for the best results.
Why is follow-up after LASIK important?
After LASIK, care and follow-up will help maximize the results of the surgery. Because the eye’s recovery and healing process require time and care to prevent possible complications such as infection or unexpected irritation, follow-up care allows the doctor to monitor the condition of the eye and see if we have any side effects, and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
Follow-up appointment after LASIK
Follow-up appointments after LASIK surgery are an important part of postoperative care and evaluation. This follow-up allows the doctor to monitor the progress of the recovery and effectively evaluate the treatment results. Follow-up appointments start 1-2 days after surgery to check the initial recovery and to check that there are no potential complications such as infection or adverse side effects. Vision is then measured to see if the patient has improved vision. Follow-up appointments after LASIK surgery also ensure that the patient receives advice and consultation on eye care during the recovery period. Proper care can reduce the risk of potential complications, such as preventing infection from careless eye contact or improper use of eye drops. Follow-up appointments therefore not only help the recovery process to be effective, but also reassures the patient that their eyes will receive proper care and treatment throughout the postoperative period.
After that, there will be regular appointments to check the results, which are generally:
- 1 week after surgery to check the corneal healing and measure vision.
- 1 month after surgery to monitor the recovery results and stability of the results.
- 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery, follow-up examinations were conducted to assess long-term outcomes.
Self-care after LASIK
Self-care after LASIK is a very important factor because LASIK will make your eyes weak in the beginning. Strictly following your doctor’s advice will help improve the results of the treatment and greatly reduce the risk of complications.
Post-LASIK self-care recommendations include:
- Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands. After surgery, avoid touching your eyes and never rub them, as this can cause eye infections.
- Rest your eyes. You should rest your eyes from looking at the computer screen or mobile phone at first and give your eyes a rest.
- Use eye drops as directed. Your doctor will prescribe eye drops or antibiotics to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
- Avoid strong sunlight. After LASIK, avoid being in strong sunlight or going to places with a lot of dust because your eyes may be sensitive to light and the environment at first.
- Get enough rest. Getting enough sleep helps the eye’s recovery process to be more efficient.
Possible symptoms after LASIK and how to cope
Sometimes after LASIK, there may be some side effects that can occur, which can indicate a normal healing process or may be a sign of complications to watch out for, such as:
- Eye irritation or burning. This can occur in the first 1-2 days after LASIK and usually goes away on its own.
- Blurred vision in the early stages. For 1-2 days after LASIK, vision may still be blurry and may be blurry, but it will improve over time.
- Glare or white shadows at night Some people may experience photophobia or glare while driving at night, which is a temporary symptom.
- Eye pain or discomfort If you have severe eye pain, see a doctor immediately.
If you experience any unusual symptoms or intolerable symptoms, you should contact your doctor for advice and further treatment.
Adjusting treatment plan after examination
If the follow-up results at various stages show that the results are not as expected, such as unstable vision or vision problems, the doctor may recommend adjustments to the treatment plan, such as adjusting the surgical values or giving advice on how to take care of the eyes in order for the LASIK results to be as expected.
summarize
Follow-up after LASIK is an extremely important step that patients should give as much importance as the surgery itself. This is because eye care after LASIK can directly affect the success of the treatment and the recovery of the eyes. If the doctor’s advice is not strictly followed, it may lead to the risk of various complications that may occur after LASIK. Following the doctor’s advice after LASIK, such as avoiding rubbing the eyes, using eye drops or medication as recommended by the doctor, resting and not using the eyes too much in the early stages, will help the recovery process go quickly and safely. In addition, preventing and taking care of the eyes properly will also help reduce the chances of problems that may affect vision in the future.
