Recovering From Laser Eye Surgery

When most people think of laser eye surgery, they think of LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), a popular type of refractive eye surgery that’s used to help people see without continually relying on glasses or contact lenses. But lasers are used in other types of eye surgeries, too. 

As a leading ophthalmologist in Hialeah, Florida, Rodrigo Belalcazar, MD, uses state-of-the-art laser eye surgery to treat an array of issues, focusing on helping patients at Advanced Eye Center enjoy better vision and better eye health.

If laser eye surgery is in your future, you’re probably eager to enjoy your results — and maybe a little anxious about what to expect during your recovery. This post offers a general overview of the recovery experience to help you feel prepared, confident, and informed.

Laser eye surgery 101

Lasers use focused energy to make incisions and perform other tasks during surgery. Because of their precision and accuracy, lasers are used in many types of surgery, not just eye surgery.

Dr. Belalcazar uses lasers primarily for the surgical treatment of three eye issues: refractive vision errors — such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism — cataracts, and glaucoma. In each surgery, he uses lasers for different surgical tasks.

During refractive surgery like LASIK, Dr. Belalcazar uses a laser to make a surgical flap so he can access the cornea underneath. Then, he uses the laser to expertly shape the cornea, eliminating irregularities that cause vision problems.

For glaucoma, Dr. Belalcazar uses a laser to improve eye drainage and thereby relieve pressure. In cataract surgery, Dr. Belalcazar uses a laser to make incisions to access your eye’s cloudy lens and gently break it apart so it can be removed.

Recovering from laser eye surgery

Recovering from laser eye surgery depends on the type of surgery you’re having. Recovering from glaucoma treatment or cataract removal is going to be a bit different from recovering from LASIK, for example, even though all the surgeries use lasers.

Regardless of the type of laser surgery you’re having, you can expect your vision to be blurry afterward. Your eye may feel itchy or irritated, and you might feel like your eye is extra dry. Dr. Belalcazar prescribes special eye drops to relieve dryness and soothe your eye.

You may need to use special medicated eye drops or wear a bandage for a very brief period afterward to protect your eye. You’ll also need to have someone on hand to drive you home from your appointment and, most likely, to drive you to your initial follow-up appointment.

Dr. Belalcazar provides every patient with detailed instructions on how to care for the area, including when it’s OK to wear eye makeup. Most patients can resume their regular routines within a few days or less, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities for a bit longer to give your eye time to heal.

State-of-the-art care for your eye health needs

Laser eye surgery demands special skills in order for patients to achieve the best results. Dr. Belalcazar’s expertise in laser-assisted techniques means you can feel confident you’ll receive optimal care during every phase of your treatment.

To learn more about laser eye surgery and other cutting-edge treatments, call 305-874-0115 or book an appointment online with Advanced Eye Center today.