When you correct your vision with LASIK surgery, you may be surprised at how quickly it can improve your eyesight. While every individual’s experience is unique, it’s not uncommon for LASIK patients to have noticeably improved vision within hours of the procedure.
Although you may be excited about resuming your normal activities with clearer vision after LASIK, you may need to wait until your vision has stabilized to safely get behind the wheel. Keep reading to learn more about whether you can drive after LASIK surgery.
What is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK surgery is a vision correction procedure that can help patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism enjoy clearer vision without needing glasses or contacts. The procedure involves using specialized lasers to reshape the cornea, allowing light to hit the retina at the optimal point for clear images.
Most LASIK patients are able to reduce or completely eliminate their need for glasses and contacts, enjoying crystal-clear vision for decades.
When Can I Drive After LASIK Surgery?
Before undergoing LASIK surgery, you should plan ahead and learn about the restrictions you’ll need to follow during recovery, including when you can start driving again. While this can vary from patient to patient, most people follow a similar recovery pattern:
The Day of LASIK
You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure. Even though LASIK is quick and relatively painless, your vision may be blurry, and it’s unsafe to drive right away.
You should plan to take it easy at home for the rest of the day following LASIK. While you might be able to see clearly enough to get around, your eyes are beginning the healing process, and your vision may still be foggy or hazy as the effects of the numbing drops used during LASIK wear off.
The Day After LASIK
The day after LASIK is usually when patients start to see a real difference in the clarity of their vision. While your vision might still not be perfect, most people can resume their normal activities the day after the procedure.
Even so, your LASIK surgeon may advise you to avoid driving for a few more hours, or even the entire day, to ensure your eyes are fully stable and you’re not putting yourself at risk. Not everyone’s eyes heal the same, and you’ll need to be cleared by your eye doctor before getting behind the wheel.
The Week After LASIK
Typically, most LASIK patients can resume driving within a few days of the procedure. While it can take a few weeks for the eyes to heal fully, most people experience clear, stable vision within a week of the procedure.
How Do Eye Doctors Decide When It’s Safe to Drive after LASIK?
When deciding whether it is safe for you to drive, your LASIK surgeon takes the following factors into account:
Visual Clarity
If your vision is still blurry and you’re having trouble seeing clearly, you shouldn’t drive. Before getting behind the wheel after LASIK, it’s essential that you feel confident about your ability to see road signs, traffic lights, and other vehicles.
Night Vision
Some LASIK patients may experience temporary issues with night vision, like halos or glare, especially within the first few days after surgery. If you have these visual disturbances, driving at night can be dangerous, and it’s best to wait until they subside before driving after dark.
Eye Comfort
If your eyes feel dry, gritty, or irritated after LASIK, driving may not be a comfortable experience. You’ll also want to avoid driving if you’re feeling any significant pain in your eyes, and you should contact your eye surgeon to rule out any post-procedure complications.
To ensure you’re fully ready to drive after LASIK, it’s important to be patient and give your eyes the time they need to heal. When you’re ready to hit the road, you may find that driving is much easier and more enjoyable without the hassle of glasses or contacts!
Do you want to learn more about LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Rosenthal Eye Surgery in Long Island, NY, today!
