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

Patients considering a corrective procedure commonly ask how long does it take to recover from laser eye surgery? The answers we give relate to (a) immediately after the surgery, and (b) over the following couple of days.

Immediately after a laser eye procedure patients experience blurry vision which lasts just 3 to 4 hours so do not expect to drive home.

After the surgery itself you will have your first post-op eye exam. Once your consultant confirms that the surgery was successful, you will be allowed to go home. However, because of the blurry vision, you will not be able to drive and will need to make arrangements for getting home.

It is also recommended you take a nap and relax for the rest of the day. The immediate recovery period from laser eye surgery is about 6 to 12 hours, but it varies by patient, depending on several factors. Most patients see clearly within 24 hours.

The day after your laser eye surgery procedure, you will return to see your surgeon so they can assess how you are healing. Most patients are cleared by the surgeon to return to driving and work after this first aftercare visit.

At this point you will be permitted to work but it is recommended that you take a couple of additional days off to rest if you can.

You should not engage in strenuous exercise for the week after your surgery, as it can interfere with your healing process. You should also avoid wearing eye makeup for a week, as well.

Your surgeon will prescribe various eye drops to be used for a few weeks. These will speed up the healing process, fight any potential infection, and combat dry eye syndrome.

A small number of patients may experience a spot of blood on the white of the eye but this is nothing to worry about and will clear up within two weeks.

We are here to answer all your questions

If you have any fears or questions about how long it takes to recover from laser eye surgery, or any other question you can discuss these with our Senior Ophthalmic Surgeon, Mr John Fenton, who has successfully performed over 10,000 laser eye treatments.

We offer a complimentary video or phone consultation with Mr Fenton where you can ask him any questions about suitability, outcomes, or discuss any general fears you may have about laser eye surgery.

Fill in the form on this page and we will call you back to arrange a convenient time or use our Self-Service Booking System to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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