Undergoing LASIK surgery is an exciting step toward better vision, but understanding the recovery and aftercare process is crucial to achieving optimal results. Whether you’ve recently had LASIK or are planning to have it soon, here’s what you can expect during the post-LASIK recovery period, along with key aftercare tips to ensure a smooth healing process.

The First 24 Hours After LASIK

The first 24 hours after your LASIK surgery are critical to your recovery. You’ll need to rest and protect your eyes as they begin to heal. Right after the procedure, it’s common to experience blurry vision, watery eyes, and mild discomfort. Some patients report sensations such as burning, itching, or the feeling that there’s something in their eye. This is normal and usually subsides within a few hours.

Your doctor will provide protective eye shields or goggles to wear, especially while sleeping, to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes. It’s important to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes during this early stage, as it can interfere with the healing process.

Managing Discomfort and Medications

Your LASIK surgeon will likely prescribe medicated eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation, as well as artificial tears to keep your eyes moist. You may be instructed to use these drops multiple times a day. Dry eyes are a common side effect after LASIK, so moisturizing drops will help relieve any dryness or irritation.

If you experience discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are usually sufficient. Make sure to consult with your surgeon about any medications before taking them.

Days 1-3: Rest and Recovery

During the first few days after LASIK, your vision should start to stabilize, but it’s still important to take things easy. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment within the first few days after the surgery to check on your progress.

At this stage, avoid strenuous activities like heavy exercise or lifting, as this can increase pressure on your eyes. You’ll also want to steer clear of environments that may expose your eyes to dust, smoke, or other irritants. Sunglasses are recommended when going outside to protect your eyes from bright light and UV rays.

Weeks 1-4: Returning to Normal Activities

Most patients can return to work and resume normal activities within a few days to a week after LASIK. However, certain activities like swimming, using hot tubs, or participating in contact sports should be avoided for at least two weeks. These activities can expose your eyes to bacteria or cause injury during the healing process.

Makeup, particularly eye makeup, should be avoided for at least a week post-surgery. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines on when it’s safe to resume these activities.

Long-Term Aftercare Post LASIK

While the initial recovery from LASIK is relatively quick, full stabilization of your vision may take several months. During this time, you’ll continue to have follow-up appointments with your LASIK surgeon to monitor your progress and address any concerns.

Using artificial tears regularly, even after the first few weeks, can help manage dryness, which may persist for a while. You should also continue wearing sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from UV rays.

In rare cases, some patients may experience side effects such as glare, halos, or dry eye that persists beyond the initial recovery period. If you notice any prolonged symptoms or have concerns about your vision, contact your doctor immediately for an evaluation.

Following Aftercare Instructions is Key to a Successful LASIK Experience

Proper aftercare following LASIK surgery is essential to ensure a successful recovery and long-term vision improvement. By following your surgeon’s guidelines, attending follow-up appointments, and taking the necessary precautions during the healing process, you can enjoy clearer, sharper vision in no time. Always prioritize your eye health, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor with any questions or concerns during your recovery journey.

The post Post-LASIK Recovery and Aftercare: What to Expect appeared first on Will Vision.

When considering LASIK surgery, there are some necessary to-dos to prepare for the procedure and ensure a successful recovery. At Will Vision and Laser Centers in the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Brian Will consults with his patients to provide valuable information for the best LASIK experience, which includes proper preparation and after-surgery care.

Here is a simple list to follow for seeing things clearly after completing your vision correction.

1. Stop Wearing Contact Lenses

If you wear contact lenses, stop before your exam, and wear your glasses full-time. Contact lenses may change the cornea contours for several weeks once you stop wearing them. In addition, if your corneas don’t assume their natural shape before your eye exam, the measurements could be inaccurate, risking the operation’s success.

Soft contact lens wearers should switch to glasses for at least a week before their eye exam. If you wear hard or rigid gas-permeable lenses, stop wearing them at least a month before your baseline eye exam.

2. Avoid Wearing Fragrances

On the day before LASIK surgery, don’t wear lotions, creams, makeup, or perfume. These products could affect the laser and increase the risk of infection. In addition, we may ask you to thoroughly scrub your eyelashes before surgery to remove any debris or residue.

3. Arrange for Transportation Home After Surgery

Before surgery, arrange transportation to and from the surgery center. Immediately following the procedure, your vision will be blurry. It is crucial to keep your eyes closed to help the healing process. In addition, Dr. Will may administer an anesthetic that will impair your driving ability. Make sure a responsible adult is available to take you home and ensure you are comfortable.

4. Wear Protective Eyewear

Will Vision will provide an eye shield to wear for sleep to protect your eyes after LASIK surgery. Wear this shield when you sleep until after recovery.

Dr. Will also advises you to wear UV protective polarized sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from harmful sunlight. Additionally, you should wear protective eyewear while participating in any contact sport or activity that could result in facial or eye trauma.

5. Avoid Strenuous Activities

Get plenty of rest after your LASIK surgery and avoid strenuous activity. You can restart simple exercises like walking or jogging after a few days, but consult Dr. Will beforehand.

Don’t do any heavy lifting for at least two weeks after LASIK. After that, Dr. Will will advise you on the best time to increase intensity.

Consult With a Professional

Quality eye health involves more than understanding an eye test. Instead, it occurs when a board-certified ophthalmologist applies time-tested protocols tailored for every patient through an understanding of their specific needs.

To get corrected vision safely and effectively, now and for the future, contact Will Vision and Laser Centers to schedule a consultation today.

The post 5 Things to Do Before and After LASIK Eye Surgery appeared first on Will Vision.

1. Dry Eye

After 40, expect your tear production to decline. After 65, most people deal with a burning and stinging sensation that feels like grit in their eyes. Over-the-counter drops can be beneficial for mild dry eyes. If symptoms are more severe, it’s time to consult an ophthalmologist for an eye exam and possible treatment.

2. Floaters

Those tiny squiggles, strings, and specks are typically harmless, caused by age-related gel-like fluid that fills the back of your eyes. But when they change from occasional to an increased number, it’s time to make a beeline to your eye doctor. It may be a symptom of a more serious eye condition like a detached retina.

3. Glaucoma

This eye issue is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60. It is the buildup of fluid not draining, leading to pressure and optic nerve damage. It is painless and can affect both eyes, but typically not at the same time. Early detection and treatment can avert blindness.

4. Macular Degeneration

This eye disorder attacks the macula, the center of the retina. It causes blurred or wavy vision and central vision loss. Although there is no cure, there are ways to slow down its progression and lower its risk.

5. Cataracts

Cataracts are the result of proteins breaking down in the lens. When it interferes with everyday activities, Dr. Will may recommend exchanging a clouded lens for an artificial one.

6. Diabetic Retinopathy

This condition occurs when excess glucose damages retinal blood vessels. These vessels may swell and leak blood or other fluids into the retina, causing blurred vision. Eye exams and keeping your diabetes under control is the best way to preserve your sight.

7. Detached Retina

When the retina separates from the back of the eye, the gel-like fluid at the eye center changes in texture and shrinks. The problem isn’t painful, but without treatment, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss.

8. Trichiasis

This common age-related eye condition becomes evident when the lashes rub against the cornea or conjunctiva (thin inner surface of the lids). It can cause eye irritation, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, and possible corneal abrasion. Treatment includes an in-office treatment to remove lashes.

9. Eye Strain

When your eyes get overworked or spend too much time in front of digital screens, they can become tired, itchy, achy, and dry. Driving long distances can have a similar effect. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes of watching a screen, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

10. Blepharitis

This common condition is where the eyelid rims become inflamed. It is common with people who have skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea. It may produce swelling, burning, redness, crusty lashes, and itchy lids.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to better vision, contact Will Vision & Laser Centers today. We’re excited to welcome you into our practice and for you to “See the Difference.”

The post 10 Warning Signs of Age-Related Eye Problems appeared first on Will Vision.

Since the advent of smartphones and tablets, researchers and eye care practitioners have wondered the same thing. Recent studies indicate it may be possible to control myopia by reducing its progression during childhood and among teens. However, at this time, there is no cure.

Nearsightedness Is Not an Eye Disease

Myopia is a refractive flaw caused by an elongated eyeball. This elliptical shape prevents light that enters the eye to not focus on the retina at the back of the eye. Instead, the light focuses on the front of the retina, causing objects to appear blurry in the distance.

Myopia Control

Finding the best treatment for myopia first requires an eye exam. Board-certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will can determine the severity of your myopia. He will suggest a clear pathway to regain clear vision from solutions as simple as wearing glasses to wavefront-guided refractive eye surgery. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the patient can avoid poor eyesight at school or work.

Glasses

Glasses are the most popular solution for nearsighted patients. It allows them to see objects in the distance with clarity. For our older patients who suffer from presbyopia, glasses may be multi-focal, offering correction for reading and distance built into the same set of lenses.

However, they may cause a collection of aggravations. These include physical discomfort on the nose and ears, inconvenience when participating in physical or sporting activities, and fogging in humid conditions. Multi-focal glasses can create a fish-bowl effect that can generate dizziness, difficulty walking, or going up and down the stairs.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are trendy, particularly since the introduction of soft contact lenses that can correct for astigmatism. Unfortunately, many people simply cannot tolerate the insertion or wearing of contact lenses. For others who have successfully used contacts in the past, they can sometimes no longer tolerate them due to the onset of allergies or dry eye. Fortunately, those who cannot wear contact lenses are frequently ideal candidates for advanced Wavefront-Guided Bladeless Lasik.

Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK)

LASIK surgery is a popular, safe, and highly effective option for nearsightedness. Its laser is designed to reshape your cornea, permitting light entering your eye to focus correctly. With today’s advanced technology, most patients are suitable candidates for laser vision correction.

Your specific condition dictates whether surgery can provide the results you want. It’s essential to note LASIK centers that utilize older technologies cannot deliver the best results available.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Will to discuss treatment options for myopia, contact his Vancouver, Washington, Salem, or Portland, Oregon offices today. Call (877) 542-3937 or complete our online contact form.

The post Myopia: Is There A Cure for Nearsightedness? appeared first on Will Vision.

Although bladeless is the more recent technique and has become the first choice with many surgeons, it doesn’t mean traditional Lasik is obsolete. Both forms have their pros and cons, and whichever you and your surgeon choose, you should expect an excellent outcome.

What Is Bladeless Lasik?

With so many different technologies and brandings, Bladeless Lasik comes in multiple names, including Intra-Lasik, iLasik, and Z-Lasik.  At Will Vision & Laser Centers, we offer Wavefront Guided Bladed Lasik, Custom Intralasik, and Bladeless Lasik, all performed by board-certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Brian Will.

There is much information online about Bladeless Lasik, and if you do some online searching, you will discover that the procedure is defined by the use of a femtosecond laser to create a thin corneal flap.

What is a Bladed Lasik?

Bladed Lasik employs a microkeratome instrument to create the corneal flap. During your consultation, one goal for Dr. Will is to determine which device will be best suited for your eyes. Although many surgeons use only the more advanced bladeless technology, there are actually instances when a microkeratome instrument is a better approach than a femtosecond laser.

Blade vs. Bladeless Lasik Effectiveness

Both types of LASIK are useful for improving vision. The femtosecond laser can generate a slightly enhanced quality of vision with fewer complications, but this is not true for everyone. It is important to know that the best choice for each person depends on various factors, like their general and visual health.

One study suggests bladeless Lasik may be the best choice. By exploring clinical results, researchers have determined that 68 percent of the bladeless patients achieve 20/16 vision on the first day after the procedure. The study concluded that the results remained similar at one-week and one-month after surgery.

Which Treatment is Best For You?

From a medical viewpoint, all Lasik procedures are safe and highly effective. Dr. Will’s objective is to match you with the Lasik technique best suited for your eyes. We believe it’s vital to maintain as many options as possible so we can offer our patients treatments that are customized to their unique circumstances.

A one size fits all solution doesn’t exist with LASIK surgery. It is the purpose of your eye exam and consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for one of our multiple options.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to better vision, contact Will Vision & Laser Centers today. We’re excited to welcome you into our practice and for you to “See the Difference.”

The post Bladed vs. Bladeless Lasik appeared first on Will Vision.

Do you have LASIK questions? Many people do. We’re answering some of our most frequently asked questions below. Don’t see yours on the list? We would love to meet with you in person to answer your questions and provide personalized treatment advice. Call us today and schedule your LASIK consultation at Will Vision & Laser Centers.

What Is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK surgery is a type of refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. There are many types of LASIK including Bladeless LASIK, Wavefront LASIK, Lifestyle LASIK, etc.

Will I Have Perfect Vision After LASIK?

We can’t guarantee a specific result after LASIK surgery, but most of our patients experience a dramatic improvement in their vision after treatment. Many patients see better after LASIK than they did before, even when they were wearing glasses or contacts. Dr. Will’s advanced skill and expertise as a leading refractive surgeon leads to better results.

Is LASIK Affordable?

LASIK is an investment in your vision. Can you really place a value of good vision? If you average the cost of your procedure over 10 years, LASIK costs less than a dollar a day. We offer payment plans and 0% financing to make LASIK more accessible to our patients.

I’ve Been Told I’m Not a Candidate for LASIK. Why Not?

If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for LASIK elsewhere, come see Dr. Will. Our advanced techniques make LASIK possible for more patients. We’ve helped many patients to discover better vision, including those that have been told they aren’t candidates for LASIK by other practices.

Is LASIK Painful?

Most patients experience little to no pain during and after LASIK. During the procedure, you’ll feel pressure as we create the LASIK flap. This takes about 20 seconds and is not considered painful by most patients. We recommend that patients take a nap right after surgery. We’ll provide a sedative to help you relax. There is a slight burning sensation for about three hours after LASIK. If you fall asleep, you won’t experience this discomfort.

What Are the Risks of LASIK?

LASIK has a very high success rate. Like all surgeries, LASIK does have some risks. We will carefully review the risks of LASIK surgery with you prior to your procedure. Some risks include halos, glare, dry eye, flap complications, and over or undercorrection. The risk of these complications is minimal and a skilled LASIK surgeon like Dr. Will can minimize the likelihood that you’ll experience problems after LASIK surgery.

Contact us today to schedule your LASIK consultation with Dr. Will.

The post LASIK FAQs appeared first on Will Vision.

Are you considering the life-changing LASIK procedure in order to see clearly for the first time without the help of glasses or contacts? Are you also a smoker, and wondering if this will affect your LASIK outcome? Dr. Brian Will of Will Vision & Laser Centers explains the effect that smoking has on LASIK recovery, and how you can enjoy the best results possible from surgery.

Smoking and the Healing Process

Smoking affects the entire body adversely, including constricting blood vessels and depressing a person’s immune system — both of which impair the body’s ability to heal itself after LASIK and other surgeries. Not only does this delay the healing process after LASIK, it also increases a person’s risk of developing a serious eye infection during recovery. This is due to the corneal incision not being able to repair itself successfully after LASIK as a result of the tissue damage caused by smoking. To minimize these risks and ensure that eye health and LASIK results are not compromised, it is recommended that a person quits smoking at least three weeks before having LASIK and continue to abstain for at least two weeks after surgery.

Smoking and Dry Eye Problems

Smoking causes changes in tear protein, which causes many smokers to have problems with dry eyes, including stinging or burning eyes and eye redness. Since one common, though temporary, side effect of LASIK surgery is dry eyes, this condition is made worse for smokers, who already have problems with little or poor-quality tear production. And since your eyes will be more sensitive to smoke, wind and other irritants after LASIK, it is important to avoid first- and secondhand smoke during recovery.

Tips for a Healthy LASIK Recovery

• Quit smoking 3-8 weeks before having LASIK
• Wear sunglasses with full UV-protection when outside
• Use artificial tears to relieve dry eye symptoms
• Eat foods rich in omega-3s (salmon, soy beans, etc.) to assist with corneal healing and help with dry eyes
• Take baths instead of showers to avoid eye contact with water for the first week
• Do not apply lotions, creams or cosmetics to the eye area for the first week

Schedule Your LASIK Consultation

Do you have more questions about LASIK and LASIK recovery? Schedule your free LASIK consultation with Dr. Will by contacting Will Vision & Laser Centers at (877) 542-EYES (3937).

The post Can Smoking Affect Your LASIK Results? appeared first on Will Vision.

What we tell our patients is this: you can ask to take off however many days you are comfortable with. Because you are having eye surgery, most bosses are very accommodating and generous when granting your request.

Most of our patients have their LASIK procedures in the morning or afternoon and take the rest of the day off from work. After your procedure, you will need to go home and take a three to four hour nap. This nap is a very important part of the healing process. You need to relax your eyes and avoid straining them by watching television or reading.

Most of our patients return to work the next day, after a quick post-operative check to ensure their eyes are healing properly. This visit usually only lasts five to 10 minutes.

We wouldn’t recommend scheduling a 9AM meeting the morning after your LASIK surgery, but you can expect to return to the office relatively early that day and get back to your workload.

The only exception where someone would need longer to recover is if they accidentally poked themselves in the eye, disrupting their natural healing progress and requiring a little extra attention.

The LASIK Recovery Process

Recovering from LASIK is an ongoing process. Although you will notice a significant improvement in your vision quickly, it will take several weeks or months to completely stabilize. Your vision will continue to improve as time passes and your eyes fully heal.

While you are able to return to almost all of your normal activities, you should avoid swimming and Jacuzzi tubs for two weeks to reduce the chance of a bacterial contamination and infection. Also, take precautions in dusty weather conditions to prevent any particles from flying into your eyes.

Schedule a LASIK Consultation

If you’re considering LASIK surgery to improve your vision, and would like more information about what the surgery and recovery period entail, please contact Will Vision & Laser Centers today. You can reach our Vancouver office by calling (877) 542-EYES (3937), our Beaverton office at (877) 542-3937 or our Salem office at (877) 542-3937.

The post How Much Time Should I Take Off from Work after LASIK? appeared first on Will Vision.