Guide to Recovery & Post-Operative Care after Laser Eye Surgery

Updated for 2025

It can be easy to take our eyes and our vision for granted – especially for those who were lucky enough to be born without a refractive error. However, even those of us who have had our fair share of lost or broken glasses and tantrums with fiddly contact lenses, often overlook the incredible complexity of our eyes. Yet, every now and then, something might occur – such as a stray eyelash – to make us remember just how sensitive and vulnerable these incredible organs really are. Thankfully, in most cases, they are also well-equipped to bounce back with a speedy recovery.

In fact, our eyes have more impressive defensive and healing capabilities than many other parts of our bodies. Every day, the defensive mechanisms of our eyes go unnoticed. From our eyelids, constantly working to keep our eyes hydrated and safe from bright lights, dust, and debris, to the transparent layer of antibacterial fluid that covers our eyeballs. Moreover, the cells in our eyes have an unmatched ability to regenerate, contributing to these organs’ rapid healing power.

In addition to helping us deal with everyday mishaps, these defences also make our eyes resilient to more extreme events, including surgery. 

Combined with the latest safety protocols and state-of-the-art techniques, the incredible healing power of our eyes helps to make Laser Eye Surgery recovery much smoother – and faster- than most people realise. In fact, depending on the procedure you have, you may be able to return to many normal activities in as little as a day after your treatment!

A Guide to Laser Eye Surgery Recovery

Thanks to decades of ongoing development and advancement, Laser Eye Surgery is now considered one of the safest elective procedures in the world. It is almost one of the most commonly performed, with more than 100,000 procedures being performed every year in the UK alone! Nonetheless, it remains vital to be as informed as possible about every step of the Laser Eye Surgery process. With that in mind, we’ve put together this extensive guide, so you know everything you need to know about your recovery and post-operative care.

Unless stated, this information is based on patients who receive the most common Laser Eye Surgery treatment, LASIK. For more specific information get in touch with our team.

Tips for a Quick & Painless Recovery: Managing Discomfort after Laser Eye Surgery

Going ahead with Laser Eye Surgery can be a scary prospect – even if you’ve been thinking about it for a while. We find that many prospective patients are concerned about experiencing pain during and following the procedure. Thankfully, this means we’re able to give them some good news: Laser Eye Surgery is typically quick and painless!

While some slight discomfort* is normal, most patients are surprised that they experience no pain during their treatment. It is also common to experience some mild discomfort in the hours following the procedure; however, this is usually manageable with the help of painkillers and lubricating eye drops (which will be provided in your aftercare kit!).

*Discomfort tends to be milder in less invasive treatments such as LASIK or ReLEx SMILE. Patients who undergo PRK/LASEK may experience more significant discomfort; however, this is usually manageable with painkillers.

Ditching the Reading Glasses: Recovery & Adaptation to PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision

London Vision Clinic was the first clinic in the UK to offer PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision as a solution to presbyopia. In fact, this revolutionary technique was pioneered by our very own founder and expert Laser Eye Surgeon, Professor Dan Reinstein!

While this procedure follows the same basic principles as other Laser Eye Surgery treatments, there is a key difference. Each eye is treated differently: one eye is corrected mainly for distance and a little near vision, and the other is corrected mostly for near vision and a little distance. Of course, this means that the recovery process will be a little different, too.

Recovery times following laser blended vision correction will vary from patient to patient. However, it will likely take longer than recovery from LASIK or ReLEx SMILE as your brain will need to adapt to the new “blended” vision. Nonetheless, this innovative procedure is significantly more tolerable than other surgical treatments for presbyopia, such as monovision.

Adapting to Your New “Blended” Vision

In monovision, each eye has essentially been corrected to do a different job. While one eye has been corrected to focus on distance, the other focuses on nearby objects. The fact is that this can be difficult for your brain to adjust to (in fact, it is estimated that only around 60% of people can tolerate monovision). In contrast, PRESBYOND® creates a ‘blend zone’ that is smoother and offers a greater depth of vision. What’s more, it is much more tolerable, with up to 97% of patients potentially being suitable for the treatment!

Many patients find that they adjust to their new way of seeing within just a few weeks. Our comprehensive screening process ensures your suitability for treatment and helps us to deliver a bespoke treatment for the best outcomes.

In rare cases, patients may not be happy with their near or distance vision following PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision. Thankfully, this can usually be resolved easily with the help of some temporary glasses, known as “balancing spectacles”. These aids can help to reverse any vision confusion without slowing down your recovery, and they generally only need to be worn for a short time.

On average, adapting to PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision takes from 6 weeks to 9 months. Occasionally, it may take up to 12 months to fully become used to your new vision. For some patients, recovery will be faster while others will need more time. However, your progress will be closely monitored by your surgeon to ensure things are going as smoothly as possible. Your aftercare appointments allow us to ensure that your corrected vision is the best it can be.

Getting Back to Work: Managing Your Recovery in the Workplace

One of the main concerns people have when considering Laser Eye Surgery is having to take time off work. After all, many surgical procedures can require a few days off at the very least! However, Laser Eye Surgery isn’t your typical surgical procedure. Many of our patients are surprised to learn they could be back at work in just 24 hours!

This means you may only need to take two days away from work for your treatment (the day of your surgery and the following day). This gives you the time to attend your one-day post-op appointment at the clinic, and a chance to relax your eyes before getting back to the grind.

However, the time needed away from work can depend on a number of factors, including the treatment you have, your personal recovery rate, and the type of work you do. Patients who have surface procedures (PRK or LASEK) generally require a little longer to recover before heading back to work – typically around seven days.

Returning to Work

As we mentioned above, there will be things to bear in mind when you return to certain kinds of work post-Laser Eye Surgery. For example many people today spend much of their working day glued to a computer screen. Unfortunately, this can place significant strain on our eyes, causing dehydration and irritation that is best avoided in the days after your treatment. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to continue with your work.

We will provide you with lubricating eye drops to help keep your eyes hydrated and free from irritation. At London Vision Clinic we will provide you with unlimited eye drops throughout your recovery – free of charge! We also recommend taking regular breaks from your screen to help prevent any unnecessary strain on your eyes.

If you work in environments where you are likely to be exposed to dust and debris – such as on a construction site – some extra precautions will be needed in the days and weeks following your Laser Eye Surgery treatment. You should wear proper eye protection such as goggles whenever necessary to prevent dust from getting in your eyes. This could lead to irritation and potentially cause complications with your recovery.

If you’re lucky enough to work outdoors on sunny days, extra protection will also be necessary. Wearing good quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection is a must for the first few weeks of your recovery. In fact, this is good advice that should be followed year-round, regardless of whether you are post-surgery!

Getting on the Road to Recovery: Driving After Laser Eye Surgery

For many people, driving is simply a necessity of life, whether it’s for work or social responsibilities. What’s more, getting back behind the wheel is one of the many things to look forward to enjoying with your new and improved vision! You’ll likely find that you can see the road ahead of you more clearly than ever before – even without the help of your glasses or contact lenses.

So, when can you get back to driving after Laser Eye Surgery? Well, the simple answer is: probably sooner than you think!

Immediately after your procedure, you may experience some blurriness and fluctuations in your vision. This is a completely natural reaction that is due to your eyes swelling after the surgery. For this reason, it is important to avoid driving altogether until you are signed off to get behind the wheel again. The good news is, many patients are given the go-ahead in as little as 24-48 hours!

Of course, exactly how long you need to spend away from the wheel will again depend on the treatment you have. Nonetheless, at London Vision Clinic, over 95% of our LASIK patients are back up to the legal driving standard for driving – or better – just a day after their surgery.

Getting Back Behind the Wheel

While you might be given the go-ahead to return to driving, there are some things to bear in mind. It is recommended that you stick to driving short distances and be aware of the potential side effects of your treatment. For example, many patients experience visual disturbances like starbursts and halos around light sources in the first few weeks of their recovery. These can be particularly noticeable in low-light settings.

Night glare effects such as these are a common effect as your eyes heal after treatment. Most people will only experience mild symptoms and some patients may not even notice them at all. However, it is important to be aware of how glare can affect your driving at night and to plan your journeys accordingly. We will take a closer look at Laser Eye Surgery side effects further down this page.

Making Alternative Arrangements

While you are probably relieved to discover just how short your driving ban could be, you may be wondering what you should do in the meantime. After all, you will need to get home from the clinic and back for your one-day follow-up appointment!

Well, we advise all our patients to avoid public transport if possible immediately after their procedure. That means you will need to arrange a lift home with a friend or family member – or a taxi ride! – on the day of your surgery. Our clinic coordinators are always happy to help you make any necessary travel arrangements.

The Screen Ban: Getting Back to Your Devices after Laser Eye Surgery

When recovering from a surgical procedure, one of the few comforts is often being able to sit down and binge TV to your heart’s content. Unfortunately, this can be a downside to Laser Eye Surgery recovery: you will have to take a break from your beloved screens.

Immediately after Surgery

Straight after your surgery, your eyes are particularly vulnerable to strain and discomfort. To prevent this from happening, we strongly recommend patients temporarily avoid all screens, including TVs, computers, and phones. But it’s not just screens you will need to avoid. Any up-close tasks that can put strain on your eyes are also a no-go – that means you won’t be able to get stuck into a good book, either!

Thankfully, the no-screen period often lasts no more than 24 hours – typically, the more strictly you adhere to these rules, the sooner you’ll be able to get back to your normal, screen-filled life. What’s more, we’re sure your new and improved vision will be well worth the inconvenience.

And after all, while it might not seem like it, there are plenty of activities to pass the time that don’t involve screens! Why not spend a relaxing night on the sofa in the company of your favourite record? Or take the opportunity to download the audio version of the book you’ve been dying to read? You can also use this time to familiarise yourself with your aftercare regime (more on this later)!

The Coming Weeks

While the outright screen ban is usually short-lived, we advise easing yourself back into your usual screen usage over the coming days and weeks – particularly if you usually spend a lot of time working at a computer.

That’s because excessive screen time can trigger dry eyes even when your eyes are in their very best condition. This is important to bear in mind because your eyes will already be vulnerable to dryness following your surgery. So, remember to keep to your eye drop routine and continue to limit your screen time wherever possible. A good way to do this is to only spend 25-minute blocks at a screen at a time, using the Pomodoro method.

Swimming, Saunas & Sumo Wrestling: Exercise & Bathing after Laser Eye Surgery

Laser Eye Surgery can improve many aspects of a person’s life, including allowing them to enjoy their favourite hobbies to the fullest. Whether you enjoy a round of golf, a game of tennis, or a cycling adventure, ridding yourself of the irritation of glasses and contact lenses can have a number of benefits.

But while you may be giddy to get back to your usual activities after Laser Eye Surgery, you may also be worried about how long you will need to sit them out during your recovery. The fact is, all patients will need to avoid sports and some types of exercise for a while after their treatment; however, most patients will only have to do this for a short period.

Immediately after surgery

Laser Eye Surgery triggers your eyes’ natural inflammatory and healing processes. This means that, for a short time after the procedure, they will be more sensitive and vulnerable than usual. It is therefore recommended that you temporarily avoid certain activities to help ensure the smoothest possible recovery.

For example, this will include strenuous forms of exercise such as running, gymnastics, or any activities that can increase the risk of water, sweat, dust or debris getting in your eyes. Moreover, you will be advised to substitute baths for showers in the 24 hours following your treatment. Oh, and no plans involving saunas or jacuzzis!

You should completely avoid sports and exercise in the first three days after your surgery (this doesn’t include light exercise such as walking and stretching!). The good news is, by the third day, you should be able to return to a range of activities, including jogging, and working out on stationary bikes or weight training at the gym.

The Coming Weeks

While you may be able to return to some lighter activities in the few days following your treatment, it may take a little longer for you to be ready for more strenuous pursuits. Over the following weeks, you should avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible and – as sweat in your eyes can irritate them – some exercises are best avoided. However, in most cases, the corneal tissue in the eye will have sufficiently healed by the end of the second week of your recovery for you to get back in the game!

That means you could be back to a round of squash or tennis, and even return to swimming, cycling, and even skiing before you know it – but remember to wear appropriate eyewear!

On the Tube & In the Air: Travelling after Laser Eye Surgery

While many patients can get back to driving within just a few days, it is also important to consider other kinds of travel. For example, are you planning a trip abroad shortly after your treatment? Or are you travelling by train to visit family on the other side of the country? Whether you’re travelling short—or long-haul, you’ll want to know if your Laser Eye Surgery recovery could affect your plans.

We generally advise keeping travel to a minimum in the first couple of days after your treatment. Of course, you will need to travel to the clinic for your one-day post-operative appointment, but this should be an exception. Aside from this, try to keep your movements between the sofa, kitchen, bathroom, and your bed!

So, when can you get back to travelling?

Public transport is a very different environment to your or a family member’s car. Vehicles like trains, planes, and subway cars are often filled with dust and germs that could get in your eyes. Therefore, we strongly advise that you avoid these methods of transportation for at least the first few days after your treatment.

However, if you already have a flight scheduled (perhaps you have travelled from abroad for your treatment), there is usually no need to cancel or reschedule. Most patients are signed off to fly at their post-operative appointment; however, plane cabins are notoriously dry – so make sure you have an ample supply of your lubricating eye drops!

Bringing the Glamour: Wearing Makeup after Laser Eye Surgery

We ask patients not to wear any makeup on the day of their treatment to minimise the risk of infection. However, there are also some make-up and skincare restrictions in the days following your procedure. Thankfully, these aren’t as inconvenient as you might think.

You will be asked to ditch certain makeup products for up to a week; however, these will mostly be products that are applied directly around your eyes, such as mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. In most cases, patients can start to use more general products, including moisturiser, concealer, and lipstick, after 24-48 hours. Just be careful not to get any product near your eyes!

Raising a Toast to Your New Vision: Alcohol and Laser Eye Surgery

Non-alcoholic drinks are all fine to consume throughout your recovery – in fact, it is encouraged that you stay as hydrated as possible! However, there are some rules to follow regarding alcoholic beverages (and diuretics such as high-caffeine drinks should also be limited!).

As you might realise, alcohol and surgery aren’t really a good combination. Of course, many patients are eager to raise a toast to their new and improved vision in the days following their treatment. Thankfully, we have put together an extensive guide explaining everything you need to know about alcohol and Laser Eye Surgery.

But, to summarise, here are the main points: Patients should limit their alcohol consumption the day before their surgery and abstain until at least 24 hours after their treatment.

The Laser Eye Surgery Recovery Timeline & Aftercare Guidance

As you might have realised while reading through this guide, Laser Eye Surgery recovery is often rapid and trouble-free. But while the majority of patients can get back to a range of normal activities in as little as 24 hours, it is important to attend several follow-up appointments over the 12 months following your treatment. 

At London Vision Clinic – and many other private and independent Laser Eye Surgery providers – these appointments are included in the cost of your treatment. Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true of many high street providers. We always recommend clarifying exactly what is included in the terms of your treatment fees and to always opt for a clinic that takes this part of your treatment seriously.

As we have mentioned, the first of your aftercare appointments will be on the day after your treatment. During this visit, your surgeon will give you a clearer idea of when you can get back to the activities covered in this guide, such as driving, exercise, and travelling. This will typically be followed by appointments at around 3-4 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after your treatment.

Your follow-up appointments will involve various tests to check your visual outcomes and ensure your recovery is going as smoothly as possible. They are also a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have concerning your recovery.

A Typical LASIK Recovery Timeline

The vast majority of Laser Eye Surgery will have a LASIK procedure. Recovery times for patients undergoing LASEK/PRK will have a slower recovery while ReLEx SMILE patients may have a slightly quicker one. PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision patients will also require an adaptation period after surgery. 

So, let’s take a closer look at a typical recovery timeline for patients undergoing LASIK treatment at London Vision Clinic. For these patients, the recovery process is typically over within six months. This might seem like a long time, but don’t be disheartened!

This is simply the time it will take for your eyes to heal completely and for your vision to reach its optimum levels – indeed, many patients will notice an immediate improvement after their treatment. Furthermore, by the end of this period, post-surgery side effects such as dry eyes and glare should have resolved themselves.

The first 24 hours of your recovery

• While many patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision, your sight can still be a little blurry or foggy in the first few hours. You should rest and keep your eyes closed as much as possible in the first 24 hours.
• You should avoid public transportation on the day of your treatment. Try to arrange for a friend or family member to collect you from the clinic, or we can help you arrange a taxi.
• Physical activity should be kept to a minimum and you should avoid any activities that could lead to anything touching your eyes.
• Avoid screens as much as possible and refrain from close-up tasks such as reading.
• Forego showers in favour of baths, if possible. This will make it easier to avoid getting soap or water in your eyes.
• You may experience some discomfort such as itchiness or dryness in your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes as this can lead to complications with your recovery.
• Use this time to get used to your aftercare regime, including your eyedrop routine.
• Avoid alcohol completely.

The day after your surgery

• It’s time to attend your one-day aftercare appointment at the clinic. Again we advise you to arrange a lift with a friend or booking a taxi; however, underground trains are also fine (avoid the Underground).
• Your surgeon will ensure your recovery is going as planned and likely sign you off to resume most day-to-day activities.
• On your return home, you should be able to get back to watching TV and reading, but remember to take regular breaks and regularly apply your eye drops.
• If given the go-ahead by your surgeon, you will be able to return to work; however, remember to wear appropriate eyewear, continue applying your eye drops, and if using screens, take regular breaks!
• Your surgeon will likely sign you off to fly but, again, remember to keep your eye drops handy as plane cabins can be extremely dry.
• You can start taking showers again, but be careful not to get water in your eyes.
• You can finally celebrate your treatment with a glass of wine or a beer – but take it easy!

By Day 3

• By this time, your corneas will have healed significantly. This means you should be able to get back to the gym and light exercises such as jogging and using exercise bikes and weights.
• You should still avoid touching or rubbing your eyes and stay clear of dusty environments.
• You will likely be able to start wearing light makeup again – but be careful with products around your eyes.
• Some blurriness and fluctuation will likely still affect your vision, so be cautious, particularly when driving at night. Your surgeon may prescribe you some temporary glasses to wear until your vision settles.
• Apart from avoiding rigorous exercise and contact sports, your life should be pretty much back to normal!

At Week 2

• You may notice that any persistent night glare has started to subside. This and other side effects will be assessed at your upcoming follow-up appointments.
• You will likely be able to get back to more physical exercises and sports, including swimming, tennis, and even scuba diving and snorkelling. Of course, always be sure to wear appropriate eyewear.
• However, you will still need to avoid contact sports such as rugby, boxing, and martial arts. Some watersports, such as water skiiing will also be off the cards for a while longer.
• You can finally start wearing eye makeup again, though you should still apply cautiously!
• You will be able to contact the clinic if you are unsure what activities are safe to resume.

At 3-6 months

• You should be coming out on the other side after your Laser Eye Surgery journey; however, you may notice that some side effects remain.
• If you continue to experience dry eye symptoms, this can still be managed with your eye drops. This is usually nothing to worry about and the problem should continue to resolve as the days go by.
• A few restrictions will remain (such as avoiding sun beds) for around 6 months.
• You will attend your third aftercare appointment at 3 months and arrange for your final 12-month follow-up.

The Importance of High-Quality Aftercare

At London Vision Clinic, we understand the importance of quality Laser Eye Surgery aftercare. What’s more, we believe that this should be included in the cost of your treatment. Aftercare and follow-up appointments being included in the quoted treatment cost is typically a sign of a good clinic that cares about its patients. But beyond that, how do you know whether your clinic’s aftercare programme is sufficient?

Let’s take a look at some of the main things to look out for when comparing aftercare programmes.

24/7 Aftercare Availability

While Laser Eye Surgery is a relatively low-risk procedure, in rare cases, a patient may require the immediate attention of their surgeon. Therefore, your clinic’s aftercare guidelines should allow you to contact them in case of emergency – regardless of the hour or how long it has been since your treatment.

This can include being able to reach a team or patient care coordinators via email or even having access to the surgeon’s personal phone number. However well your recovery goes, you may still require urgent information or attention, so this one is a must.

Caring and Knowledgeable Staff

Let’s face it, surgery can be daunting – even one as quick and pain-free as Laser Eye Surgery. All patients will want to know they are in the hands of experienced and knowledgeable staff, from the optometrists and clinic coordinators to the surgeons performing their treatment. This should be the case at every step of the Laser Eye Surgery journey, from your initial consultation to your final follow-up appointment.

Clinic consultants as well as your surgeon should be able to give you appropriate guidance throughout your recovery. This can be at your follow-up clinic visits or providing you with advice over the phone or email. For example, you may wish to know more about how to take care of your eyes over the coming weeks, or how soon you can resume certain activities.

A Patient for a Lifetime

As we get older, our eyes are prone to deterioration and change, the same as any other body part. The best Laser Eye Surgery providers understand that each patient may therefore require ongoing care and advice – even years after their treatment. We believe that clinics should have a lifelong relationship with their patients. Whether this is providing appropriate support and resources, or recommending further treatment when necessary.

At London Vision Clinic, our patients are able to get in touch for tailored and personalised advice and care, no matter how long ago their treatment was. From day one – with the bonus of complimentary chocolates, caring staff, and even complimentary head massages – we ensure you never feel like just another number.

Managing Laser Eye Surgery ‘Side Effects’

Laser Eye Surgery procedures trigger the body’s natural healing responses. This can cause swelling which, while completely normal, can lead to some temporary effects on your vision. In the vast majority of cases, these symptoms are mild and are easily managed with routine aftercare approaches.

This swelling is not noticeable to the naked eye and any resulting side effects tend to resolve over the coming weeks. Your surgeon and consultant will also continue to monitor any side effects at your aftercare appointments.

Let’s take a look at the most common side effects of Laser Eye Surgery: Dry Eyes, light sensitivity, vision fluctuations, and night glare effects.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes is the most common Laser Eye Surgery side effect. As mentioned multiple times in this guide, this is usually successfully managed with the help of lubricating eye drops. These will be provided as part of your aftercare program, which is included in the cost of your treatment. You can learn more about Laser Eye Surgery and dry eyes in our dedicated comprehensive guide.

You should always keep these drops close at hand so you can apply them whenever you feel any discomfort. It may be necessary to apply your drops more frequently if you are exposed to air-conditioned or heated spaces, or if you use screens for prolonged periods. For most patients, dry eye symptoms resolve within 3-6 months; however, in some cases, they may persist for longer.

Patients who have ReLEx SMILE treatment generally experience reduced levels of post-operative dry eye and discomfort, thanks to the minimally invasive nature of this technique.

Light Sensitivity

It is also normal to experience increased sensitivity to light following your treatment. This tends to be most noticeable in the first 24-48 hours, after which, the issue should start to resolve. During this time, you should avoid bright, harsh lighting and wear high-quality sunglasses when going outdoors – particularly on bright days.

Fluctuating Vision

As your eyes swell and begin to recover from your treatment, it is common to experience some fluctuations in your vision. As the swelling in your eyes behind to subside, your vision will also begin to stabilise. It is not uncommon for these effects to persist over the first few weeks of your recovery. This is a completely normal part of the eyes’ healing process and is generally nothing to worry about.

Halos and Starbursts

Halos (glowing rings) and starbursts (star-like glare) are typical night time effects of Laser Eye Surgery. They occur most commonly around light sources in low-light conditions and at night. Again, these are a direct symptom of the swelling that occurs after your surgery. Therefore, halos and starbursts should also begin to resolve as your swelling subsides.

Starbursts and halos are types of glare that can appear around light sources – particularly in low-light conditions and at night. Halos appear as glowing rings while starbursts resemble star-like glare.

Still have some questions about what to expect during your Laser Eye Surgery recovery? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly and knowledgeable clinic coordinators – we’re always on hand to help. To start your Laser Eye Surgery journey, Book a Consultation today.