Activity schedule

Recommended LASIK activity schedule >>

Recommended IOL activity schedule >>

At LASIK MD, our dedicated team of surgeons has established this activity schedule to ensure a successful recovery following your vision correction procedure. It is important that you follow this recommended activity schedule to ensure the proper healing of your eyes.

As indicated by your clinical counsellor, it is important that you follow your post-operative instructions for your drops. Whether it is for LASIK or IOL, follow the instructions for wearing your sunglasses provided to you. For PRK vision correction patients, day one should be counted as the first day without contact lenses and should not count day one as the first day after surgery.

For the first month after LASIK, PRK, cataract or lens implant procedures, it is recommended that you avoid trauma to your eyes in the same way that contact lens wearers would avoid trauma that could cause a contact lens to fall out.

Eye rubbing and applying pressure on the eye after surgery are strongly discouraged at any time, even years after the healing process is completed. Get into the habit of not rubbing your eyes nor putting pressure on them.

LASIK POST-SURGERY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

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The day of surgery

After surgery, it’s normal to experience tearing, a burning sensation, and/or difficulty keeping your eyes open. Discomfort after LASIK surgery varies, but it usually subsides after the first day. Some patients like to have a friend or family member nearby to assist them in the first few hours following surgery. It’s important to avoid activities in which the eye may be poked, rubbed, or touched. Be sure to keep your eyes well lubricated.

It’s recommended that you go directly home and take a nap for an hour or more to rest your eyes. Before doing so, please apply your drops as directed. Should you need to clean your eyelids when you wake up, DO NOT RUB. Instead, use a soft, damp facecloth or sponge in a gentle downward motion.

What NOT to do following your surgery:

Avoid eye rubbing. Instead, use lubricating drops when they feel irritated.
Don’t squint or squeeze your eyes. Keep them gently closed.
Avoid staring without lubricating your eyes.
Avoid using digital screens (such as a television, tablet, or cell phone) and reading for the first 24 hours.
Avoid showering (you may take a bath but avoid getting soap or water in your eyes).
Avoid alcohol or smoking.
No driving. Do not drive until you’ve been given the go-ahead after seeing an eye care professional at your 24-hour post-operative appointment (This applies whether you’ve had surgery in one or both eyes).

Eye protection: It’s important that you wear your LASIK MD-provided sunglasses as follows:

First 24 hours: at all times, both indoors and outdoors.
To sleep: for the first night, only to prevent eye rubbing.
First 48 hours: every time you go outside to protect and shield your eyes from wind and dust.

Caution: don’t wear your sunglasses while driving at night-time.

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The day after surgery, you are permitted to do the following:

Shower (avoid getting soap or water in your eyes).
Low-maintenance activities (such as reading or writing for work and/or school).
Drive short distances (but only if you’ve gotten approval from an eyecare professional).
Use digital screens (while keeping your eyes well lubricated).
Fly in an airplane (please keep eyes generously lubricated and apply eye drops approximately every 30 minutes or so).
Apply facial makeup (but not eye makeup).
Lift objects of moderate weight.
Use a sauna or steam room.

The above activity schedule is a guideline to avoid direct trauma to the eyes. If you are in doubt, wear eye protection to be safe.

Should you have restrictions indicated on your driver’s license that require you to wear glasses or contacts while driving, then you may wish to have them removed. Please visit your local registry office after your surgical procedure has been completed for more information on the provincial regulations for removing this restriction.

Please notify LASIK MD if you are admitted to the hospital for any reason within 30 days following your procedure, whether related to your vision or not.

IOL POST-SURGERY ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

icon day surgery

The day of surgery

Some patients like to have a friend or family member nearby to assist them in the first few hours following surgery. It is important to avoid activities in which your eye may be poked, rubbed, or touched. Be sure to use your drops as recommended. You may also use lubricating drops as needed for your comfort in between your medicated eye drops.

It is normal for your eye to be red and irritated until it heals.
Your vision may not be clear. This can last several days or weeks depending on how fast your eye heals.
You may see flickering, a shadow, or a dark bar on the side of your vision. This is normal and may differ from one eye to the other.
You may experience mild irritation or itching for several days or weeks after surgery. This is also normal. You can use lubricating drops (artificial tears) if this occurs.
We recommend you go directly home and take a nap for an hour or more to rest your eyes. Before going to sleep, apply your eye drops as directed.

Eye protection: You should wear sunglasses outside if your eyes are sensitive to bright lights after surgery and to protect them from wind and dust. Unless requested by your surgeon, eye protection is not required when you sleep, and you can sleep on either side.

Prescription glasses: Depending on the type of surgery and lens implant you receive, you may or may not require glasses for certain activities (such as computer work or reading). Your glasses prescription will need to be changed after your eyes have healed (approximately 4-6 weeks). Do not buy new glasses until instructed. In the meantime, if you see better with your glasses on, wear them. If you are uncomfortable, or see better with your glasses off, do not wear them.

Should you have restrictions on your driver’s licence that requires you to wear glasses or contacts, you may wish to have this restriction removed. Please visit your local registry office after your surgical procedure has been completed for more information on the provincial regulations for removing this restriction.

Patients must advise LASIK MD of any infections, appointments and/or admission to a hospital that have occurred within the first 30 days following their surgery at our facility.

Follow these instructions on the day of your surgery and for 1 week after your surgery (unless otherwise specified)

YOU MAY

Shower and wash your hair with your head leaning back and your eyes closed.
Bend over to lift normal objects or put on your shoes.
Read, use a television, computer, tablet or phone, prepare meals and do housework. If you feel fatigue, pressure, or strain in your eyes, stop the activity and rest your eyes.
Eat and drink normally, including tea, coffee, and alcohol in moderation.
Sleep in any position that you wish.
Apply facial makeup (no eye liner or mascara).
Go outside (even in the cold).
Resume driving after 24 hours and once you feel your vision is adequate to safely operate a vehicle. If you have concerns with your vision, please contact the clinic to schedule an appointment before driving.

PLEASE DON’T

Strain or lift very heavy objects. Regular activities that require bending are allowed.
Rub your eyes firmly.
Touch your eyes with dirty hands or dirty towels.
Work in a dirty or dusty environment (such as the garden or construction site).
Engage in strenuous exercises or sports that risk injury to your eyes.
Wear eye liner or mascara.
Swim with your head underwater.
Travel out of country for the first week following surgery unless your surgeon has pre-approved it. This is in the event that you require post-operative assistance.
Drive or operate hazardous machinery for the first 24 hours following surgery (even if only one eye has been treated).