Laser Eye Surgery Aftercare

Our aftercare programme is tailored to meet your needs and ensure thorough checks are performed to monitor your eye health during the healing process. This is why it is essential you attend every aftercare appointment from start to finish.

What to expect

After laser eye surgery, you may experience some discomfort as your eyes begin to heal. Some uncomfortable symptoms may include:

• light sensitivity 
• watery eyes
• whites of your eyes appear red

This is a common part of the recovery, and we will provide the appropriate medication to minimise any discomfort. You will also be given contact numbers for your surgeon and clinic, and we will be on hand should you have any questions or concerns regarding your treatment. 

How long does it take to recover from laser eye surgery?

Your laser eye surgery recovery time will depend on a number of factors, including which procedure you have.

LASIK - most of our LASIK patients return to work and normal daily activities within 24 hours of surgery.

LASEK - it may take up to seven days for our patients to recover and see the full results from the treatment. 

Our surgeons and optometrists will consider your lifestyle routine and occupation and offer advice for which treatment will best suit your needs.

PLEASE REMEMBER: It is incredibly important that you attend your aftercare appointments, not only for the healing process, but to keep your lifetime guarantee valid too.

What can you not do after laser eye surgery?

Following the first weeks after your laser eye surgery procedure, it is important you follow the guidance below to ensure your eyes heal appropriately and reduce the risk of infection or damage.

• Avoid showers for a week - If possible, choose a bath over a shower during the first week post-surgery to avoid getting soap or water in your eyes. If a bath is not an option, take extra care to ensure no water gets in the eyes during your shower.
• No makeup for 2 weeks - Avoid wearing eye makeup two weeks after you've had your laser eye surgery.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes for two weeks - You should completely avoid rubbing your eyes for the first two weeks and minimal touching of your eyes during the 4 weeks after surgery. This is to ensure you don't disrupt the healing process. 
• No smoking for a week - After having laser eye surgery, you'll want to avoid smoking and smoking areas for a week. This is to avoid any eye irritation or dry eyes occurring while your eyes heal.
• No sunbeds for 8 weeks - We recommend that you hold off on using tanning beds for 8 weeks post-surgery. After this time, and once it's safe to tan again, be sure to wear protective goggles to avoid damaging your eyes and new vision.

How long after eye laser surgery can you drive?

Your vision may be affected for a few days post-treatment, however once you have attended your aftercare appointments, the clinic staff will advise you on the quality of your vision in regards to driving standard levels. We do, however, stress that you should only drive when you feel most comfortable. For LASEK, we recommend that you wait at least 7-14 days, LASIK should be OK within 24-48 hours, and Implantable Contact Lens patients should wait up to two weeks.

Can I watch TV after laser eye surgery?

Yes, but you may experience some light-sensitivity after the surgery. If you feel any discomfort looking at the TV, take a break from the screen and let your eyes rest. Once your eyes have had more time to heal, you may proceed to extend your screen time as you see fit.

Can I use my phone after laser eye surgery?

Yes, but you may want to rest your eyes for the first day of your recovery. If you experience any discomfort when looking at a screen, stop immediately. Give your eyes time to heal until you feel more comfortable to look at any light screen. 

How long do I have to wear sunglasses after laser eye surgery?

You are only required to wear sunglasses for the first week after having the procedure. For the next 6 months, it is important to continue to wear sunglasses outside when the weather is sunny - especially if you've had LASEK laser eye surgery.

Do you still need glasses after laser eye surgery?

You should not need glasses for distance vision purposes once you have had laser treatment. However, we cannot guarantee that your eyes will not naturally deteriorate later in life. When we reach the age of around 45, we all need some form of reading glasses. This is due to the natural ageing of the eye; this will be discussed with you at your consultation.

How much is laser eye surgery?

The laser eye surgery cost is fixed, and the price will not change even if you have a high prescription or astigmatism. We charge £1995 per eye, and you can find out more about our prices and monthly payment plans here.

You can also call 0800 9888 237 for more information!