What to Expect After Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery recovery from the day of surgery to the third month: protective glasses, eye drops, check-ups, screens, sports, pool and sea. The timeline depends on the method.
After Femto-LASIK, Q-LASIK and SMILE Pro, vision usually clears the next day. Then you return to daily life after the check-up. After surface lasers such as No Touch and PRK, a protective lens stays on the eye for the first 3–4 days. In addition, stinging and burning can occur, and vision clears in 1–2 weeks. In both groups, you usually wait 1–2 weeks for sports, the pool and the sea. Finally, check-ups take place the next day, at week 2, at month 2 and at month 3.
Laser eye surgery recovery on the day of surgery
The laser itself takes a few minutes for each eye. With preparation and checks, however, you spend a few hours at the clinic. We numb the eye with drops, so you feel no pain.
After surgery, we put protective glasses on your eyes. They make you more comfortable in bright light. They also stop your hand from touching your eye, even in your sleep. In the first hours, watering, mild burning and light sensitivity are normal. Afterwards, it is recommended to go home, keep your eyes closed and rest, and sleep if you can.
“Right after the surgery, we put on your protective glasses. They shield your eyes from light, and they keep your hand from touching your eye. You then use the drops exactly as prescribed.”
— Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu, from his video
What to expect after laser treatment?
In one minute, Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu explains the first days after laser, the check-ups, and when you can return to sports, the pool and the sea.
Laser eye surgery recovery in the first week after LASIK and SMILE
Femto-LASIK, Q-LASIK and SMILE Pro work inside the inner layers of the cornea (the interface). Therefore, healing is fast. At the check-up the next day, most patients see almost as clearly as they did with glasses before surgery. They then return to daily life.
- Do not rub your eye during the first week. This is the most important rule, especially with flap-based methods, because the flap needs to heal in place.
- In the first days, vision may fluctuate a little during the day. In the evening, however, you may see halos around lights. However, these usually fade within weeks.
- Also, dry eye is common in this period. For this reason, we prescribe artificial tears.
The first three months after laser: two different recovery timelines
With flap-based methods (Femto-LASIK, Q-LASIK) and the small-incision method (SMILE Pro), vision clears largely the next day. With surface lasers (No Touch, PRK), the first days are harder, and vision clears in 1–2 weeks.
- Flap-based and small-incision laserProtective glasses on the day of surgery. Check-up the next day, then back to daily life. You usually wait 1–2 weeks for the pool and the sea.
- Surface laserA protective contact lens stays on the eye for the first 3–4 days. Stinging, burning and light sensitivity may occur. After we remove the lens, vision gradually clears.
Laser eye surgery recovery in the first week after No Touch and PRK
With surface lasers such as No Touch and PRK, the correction takes place on the top layer of the cornea. The thin surface layer (the epithelium) needs a few days to renew itself. During this time, a protective (bandage) contact lens stays on your eye.
- In the first 3–4 days, you may have stinging, burning, watering and light sensitivity. During this period, painkillers and cold compresses give relief.
- When the epithelium closes, usually on day 3 or 4, we remove the protective lens at the clinic.
- Then vision clears noticeably within 1–2 weeks. However, it may take a few weeks to settle fully.
- Also, in the first months, sunglasses help reduce the risk of surface haze.
Recovery after surface lasers is harder. On the other hand, they thin the cornea less, so they are a safe option for patients with thin corneas. I explained which method suits you in the article “Which laser method is best?”.
Eye drops and eye care after laser eye surgery recovery begins
| Drop | Purpose | Usual duration |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotic | To prevent infection | Usually the first week |
| Cortisone drop | To control inflammation | Short after interface methods; longer and tapered after surface lasers |
| Artificial tears | To relieve dryness | A few weeks to a few months |
Use the drops in the order and frequency on your prescription. Also, wait a few minutes between two different drops. Do not extend the cortisone drop on your own, and do not stop it early. Finally, we adjust the dose at your check-ups.
Dryness after laser is related to a temporary effect on the nerve fibres in the cornea. However, in most patients, it fades within months. If you had dry eye before surgery, we plan this period more carefully.
Screens, driving, makeup, sports during laser eye surgery recovery
Usually from the first days
- Television, phone and computer (with frequent breaks)
- Showering (without water or shampoo going directly into your eyes)
- Walking and light daily activities
- Driving: when your vision is found sufficient at the check-up
Usually after 1–2 weeks
- Eye makeup
- Gym and running
- Pool, sea, sauna and Turkish bath
- Contact sports (martial arts, football): after asking your doctor
After surface lasers, these timeframes start once the protective lens is removed. In addition, in the first weeks, avoid dusty and smoky places. Also avoid situations in which your eye could be hit.
Follow-up schedule for laser eye surgery recovery
The check-ups confirm that healing is going as expected, and they let us adjust your drops:
- Next day: first check-up (after surface lasers, also on day 3 or 4, when the lens comes out)
- Week 2: assessment of vision and the corneal surface
- Month 2 and month 3: checking that your prescription has settled, and checking for dryness
Your prescription usually settles in the first 3–6 months. Some eyes keep a small residual prescription. If the cornea is suitable, a second correction (enhancement) can be done. I explained this in detail in the article “Does the prescription come back after laser?”.
When to call right away during laser eye surgery recovery
Contact the clinic without waiting
- Pain that increases instead of fading as days pass
- A marked drop in vision, or sudden blurring
- Increasing redness, crusting or discharge
- A blow to the eye, or a protective lens that falls out while pain increases
These signs are rare. However, they are much easier to treat when noticed early.
Frequently asked questions
After Femto-LASIK, Q-LASIK and SMILE Pro, most patients can return to desk work after the check-up the next day. After No Touch and PRK, you usually need to rest for 3–4 days, until the protective lens comes out.
Usually after 1–2 weeks. After surface lasers, this period starts once the protective lens is removed. Your doctor sets the exact timing at your check-up.
After interface methods, you have mild burning and watering in the first hours, and most people feel comfortable the next day. After surface lasers, stinging and burning are stronger in the first 3–4 days. Painkillers and cold compresses give relief.
Yes, you can use them for short periods with frequent breaks. Dryness may increase because you blink less while looking at a screen. Therefore, use your artificial tears regularly.
In most eyes, the result is permanent. Over time, some eyes keep or regain a small prescription. If the cornea is suitable, a second correction can be done.
Related pages
References
- Toda I. Dry eye after LASIK. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018;59(14):DES109-DES115. doi:10.1167/iovs.17-23538
- Shortt AJ, Allan BDS, Evans JR. Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) versus photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(1):CD005135. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005135.pub3
- Randleman JB, White AJ Jr, Lynn MJ, Hu MH, Stulting RD. Incidence, outcomes, and risk factors for retreatment after wavefront-optimized ablations with PRK and LASIK. J Refract Surg. 2009;25(3):273-276. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20090301-06
- Kaya Ünsal S, Helvacıoğlu F, Sunay E. Visual, refractive, topographic and wavefront outcomes of trans-photorefractive keratectomy in virgin eyes. 37th ESCRS Congress, Paris, September 2019 (paper).
- Helvacıoğlu F. Haze after excimer laser. Schwind User Meeting, Istanbul, March 2016 (presentation).
This article is for patient information only. It does not replace an examination or a medical assessment. Your suitable treatment is decided after an eye examination and measurements. Publication date: September 25, 2026.
Contact Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu with your questions
Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu · Veni Vidi Eye Clinic, Bağdat Cad. No: 257, Caddebostan – Kadıköy / Istanbul