Blurry vision after LASIK is a common and temporary issue. You don’t need to worry about it. For most of the patients, vision gets clear within the first few days. However, some take a little longer because of different factors causing it.
Just focus on the life-changing benefits of LASIK and don’t let the temporary blurriness frustrate you. This blog is to help you understand how long your vision will be blurry after Lasik and why this happens along with some recommended solutions. Let’s get started!
Why is Your Vision Blurry After Lasik?
Usually, blurry vision is a sign that your eyes are healing after surgery, but sometimes different other factors also contribute. So, let’s have a look at them:
1. Dry Eyes
Dry eyes are the most common side effect of LASIK and lead to intermittent blurry vision. As surgery disturbs the nerves in your cornea, less tear production occurs in your eyes, causing dryness. Because of this dryness, light can not focus properly on the surface of your eyes, contributing to blurry or fluctuating vision.
2. Improper Healing
In LASIK surgery, a small flap is created in your cornea to reshape the underlying corneal issue. After repositioning the flap, it requires some time to heal. In cases the flap does not heal properly, it can cause blurry vision in your eyes.
3. Swelling
It is very common for the cornea to swell lightly after surgery. This swelling and inflammation can distort vision, but once the swelling subsides, vision becomes clear itself.
4. Certain Medications
Sometimes, anti-inflammatory medications or prescribed drugs by a doctor can also cause blurred vision. So, only use them according to a doctor’s recommendation.
5. Cataract Development
This is a very rare cause. However, in some individuals, years after LASIK, cataracts develop, which also causes blurry vision.
How Long Does Your Vision Remain Blurry after LASIK?
Depending on the cause of blurry vision after LASIK, its recovery timeline differs from person to person. Most of the patients experience some level of blurriness from a few hours to the initial few days. These days, you may see temporary blurry spots, as a part of the healing process but after that, eyes adjust and there is no more blurriness in vision.
However, for some people, it takes one to three months for complete stabilization of vision. In this time period, you can experience halos or glare around light, but that’s also normal.
Within 6 to 12 months of LASIK surgery, most of the patients get stable vision with 100% clarity. But if your blurriness still persists after this time period, it is a sign of some major complication, and you should consult your doctor immediately.
How to Manage Blurry Vision After LASIK?
If you are experiencing blurry vision after LASIK, you can easily manage it at home with some simple steps, ensuring a faster recovery. This includes:
Take Proper Rest
Blurriness is highly related to eye healing after LASIK, so you need to facilitate this healing by taking proper rest. Also, avoid strenuous activities like screen time and reading for a faster recovery.
Use Prescribed Eye Drops
To reduce dryness and irritation in eyes, your doctor will recommend some lubricating eye drops. Use them regularly as they will help up the healing process, reducing blurriness in your eyes.
No rubbing on eyes
Rubbing your eyes after LASIK can disturb the position of the corneal flap, causing further complications. So, don’t disturb the healing process by rubbing your eyes. If you feel itching, you can overcome that by using recommended eye drops.
Avoid Eye Strain
After LASIK, avoid all activities that can cause eye strain, including reading, watching TV, and using gadgets for extended periods of time. Too much strain on the eyes can prolong blurriness.
Use Corrective Lenses
You can temporarily use corrective lenses to see clearly until your eyes heal properly and wait patiently for the final results of LASIK.
Preventive Measures to Take Before LASIK Surgery to Avoid Blurry Vision
Though you can not completely avoid blurriness after LASIK, there are still some steps before surgery that can reduce the chances of prolonged blurriness. Let’s have a look at them:
- Always choose a qualified surgeon from a well-reputed eye care center.
- Go through a comprehensive eye exam to check if you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery or not.
- Follow your surgeon’s guidelines carefully to avoid any risks. They may ask you to discontinue certain medications or avoid contact lenses before surgery.
- Maintain good eye health by drinking a lot of water and eating a balanced diet.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand how long your vision will be blurry after LASIK. Though blurriness is a bit frustrating, it is just like a bump on the road to a clear vision. It is a part of the natural healing process, and with the right care, you can stabilize your vision over time.
However, if the blurry vision persists for a longer time, it is better to consult with your eye care doctor. Sometimes, additional treatments or interventions are required for the best outcome.
FAQS
Yes, dehydration can cause blurred vision as your eyes don’t produce enough tears, leading to dryness and temporary vision blurriness.
When you wake up, you may experience blurred vision because of natural build up of debris or mucus on the cornea overnight. But within a few blinks, it clears up.
No, blurry vision does not cause nausea and dizziness. However, these conditions can co-exist at the same time.
