LASIK Recovery Time: What to Expect Day by Day
Quick answer: Most people see well within 24 hours of LASIK, but full recovery takes longer. Expect blurry, watery and gritty eyes for the first few hours, a check-up the next day, and gradual improvement over the first week. Dry eye, glare and haloes at night are common for weeks to a few months while the cornea heals, and vision usually stabilises by about three to six months. Always follow your own surgeon's instructions.
Considering eye surgery? Start with an eye examination at Vision Concern for an assessment and referral advice.
First day
Vision is hazy and eyes may burn, water or feel gritty for a few hours. Rest with your eyes closed, wear the protective shields as instructed, and use the prescribed drops. Most people return for a check the next day.
First week
- Use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops as prescribed, plus lubricating drops.
- Do not rub your eyes; wear shields at night if advised.
- Avoid eye make-up, swimming, dusty places and contact sports for the period your surgeon specifies.
- Many people return to desk work within a few days.
First months
Dry eye is the most common side effect and usually improves over weeks to months with lubricating drops. Night glare, haloes and fluctuating vision also tend to settle. Vision usually stabilises by three to six months, when any enhancement would be considered.
When to call the surgeon urgently
Increasing pain, worsening redness, discharge, a sudden drop in vision or an eye injury after LASIK need same-day review by the surgical team.
How Vision Concern can help
Vision Concern is an eye-examination clinic and optical shop in Kathmandu with branches in Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal and Makalbari. It does not perform surgery or injections. Its optometrists can examine your eyes, explain your prescription and findings, and advise on referral to an eye hospital or specialist; it can also provide glasses and contact lenses before or after treatment elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
How long after LASIK can I use a computer?
Many people can use screens within a day or two, with frequent breaks and lubricating drops.
When can I drive after LASIK?
Only after your surgeon confirms at follow-up that your vision meets the legal driving standard.
Will I need glasses after LASIK?
Most people do not need glasses for distance, but reading glasses are usually needed from the mid-40s due to presbyopia.
This guide is general education and does not replace an eye examination or advice from your treating doctor.
Yes. Many visitors, particularly from Bangladesh and West Bengal (Kolkata), come to Nepal for cataract, retina, or other eye surgery at a hospital and also want new glasses, a general eye exam, or contact lenses at the same time, before or after their procedure. Vision Concern is an optical and eye-examination clinic, not a surgical hospital, so we work alongside hospitals such as Tilganga: we are happy to see you for glasses, contact lenses, or a routine check-up either side of your surgical treatment elsewhere.
No conversion is needed. Eyeglass prescriptions from Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Russia, and almost every other country use the same international format, SPH (sphere), CYL (cylinder), and AXIS, measured in diopters. Our opticians read this directly, so you can bring your prescription paper, a photo of it on your phone, or simply your current glasses, and we will use the same values. If your prescription is more than a year or two old, we recommend a quick, free re-check before we make your new pair.
Yes. Above roughly 3,000 metres, UV exposure increases sharply because of the thinner atmosphere and reflection off snow, and ordinary sunglasses (category 2-3) do not block enough UV to prevent snow blindness (photokeratitis). We recommend glacier glasses or category-4 sunglasses with side shields, and can fit these with your own prescription if needed. Vision Concern offers ZEISS polarized, UV400-certified sunglasses with prescription lenses, which we can prepare before you set off on your trek.