Eyes typically recover quickly after LASIK surgery, although it can take a few months to experience the best vision results, according to experts. Here’s what to expect in the first days, weeks and months after surgery.

Day One

Immediately following LASIK surgery, individuals experience some (temporary) haziness in their vision, though most people who have LASIK surgery can see immediately afterward, according to Dr. Agarwal. Individuals may also feel mild irritation, a burning or stinging sensation or like there’s something in their eye. These symptoms can last for a few days.

Directly after surgery, individuals should go home and sleep for a several hours, using an eye shield designed specifically for LASIK (provided by their doctor) to help the eye heal, says Joshua Herz, M.D., a Glenview, Illinois-based ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon with Endeavor Health Medical Group. The shield should be worn to bed the night of surgery as well.

Individuals recovering from LASIK should refrain from staring at screens for the first 48 hours after surgery, as this can make any eye dryness worse, advises Dr. Agarwal. However, it’s generally safe for a person to check their phone or computer briefly within that time, she adds.

Day Two

The day after LASIK surgery, visual haze or blurriness tends to improve, and most people are able to drive, says Dr. Agarwal. In fact, many individuals can drive themselves to their first postoperative check-up with their surgeon, which usually takes place the day after surgery.

A series of eye drops may be prescribed for frequent use (about four times a day) within the first week of recovery to help keep the eye clean, comfortable and healthy, according to Dr. Herz.

• A prescribed steroid eye drop to prevent inflammation
• A prescribed antibiotic eye drop to prevent infection
• Over-the-counter, preservative-free artificial tears to help with dryness in the eyes

The artificial tears may be used for as long as your eyes feel dry, adds Dr. Herz. Alternatively, you and your doctor may choose to treat prolonged dry eyes with punctal plugs, which are inserted into the opening of your tear ducts in the corner of your eyes. These plugs act like the stopper in a bathtub, pooling your natural tears on the eye’s surface to ensure hydration.

Week One

Individuals usually have a second followup with their doctors one week after LASIK, says Dr. Agarwal.

A person’s vision may fluctuate within this first week post surgery, adds Dr. Herz. Vision fluctuations may include less visual clarity or eye strain after a long day at looking at screens, explains Dr. Agarwal.

Experts recommend individuals limiting reading, computer use and outdoor activities  the first week after LASIK to avoid straining their eyes. Dr. Agarwal recommends avoiding contact and non-contact sports, exercise and applying makeup around the eyes to avoid irritation and risk of infection in the eyes.

Month One

A follow-up appointment one month after surgery is standard, according to experts.

Within that time, an individual should wait two to four weeks after surgery to use a pool, hot tub or whirlpool to minimize infection risk in the eyes, says Dr. Agarwal.

Dr. Agarwal also recommends waiting at least one month to participate in any contact sports, such as football, to protect the eyes from being hit or bumped, which can shift the flap made in the cornea during LASIK. A shift in the flap can be very painful and may cause hazy vision, sensitivity to light and excessive tearing.

Months Three to Six

Vision fluctuations typically occur within the first week after surgery, according to Dr. Herz. However, Dr. Agarwal cautions it may take three to six months for one’s vision to stabilize.

A person may have a follow-up appointment at three and/or six months after surgery, providing an opportunity to discuss how your vision is progressing with your LASIK provider.

Some individuals who have LASIK experience halos (bright rings around lights) and glare (a wall of light around brightly lit objects), especially at night. These typically clear up in the three to six month post-surgery window.

The final LASIK followup appointment typically occurs one year after surgery.

How Soon After LASIK Can You Return to Work?

People who have undergone LASIK may be able to return to work the day after surgery, although this depends on a person’s preference and job, says Dr. Agarwal.

“Some people have jobs where they’re working in a dusty, dirty environment or they’re sitting on a computer for a long period of time, so we don’t recommend [returning to work] the next day,” says Dr. Agarwal, explaining that these situations can cause undue strain and risk for postoperative eyes.

If you work in an environment that’s considered high-risk for post-operative LASIK recovery, such as an environment where your eyes may be exposed to chemicals or dust, it’s best to avoid returning to work until the one-week post-procedure follow-up appointment with your eye care professional, suggests David Hall, an optometrist and an  associate professor at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.