Time off and driving by treatment
| Treatment | Back to work | Driving |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | About 2 days | After 24 to 48 hours, once cleared |
| SMILE | A day or two | Once cleared at a check-up |
| LASEK or PRK | About 5 days | After 5 to 7 days, once cleared |
| Implantable lens or lens replacement | 1 to 7 days | Once cleared, often within a week |
Driving again always waits for the clinic to confirm your sight meets the legal standard. Don't drive at night until the glare has settled.
The first day
You go home the same day with someone else driving. Eyes are watery, gritty and light-sensitive; sunglasses help. Rest with your eyes closed, use the drops exactly as prescribed, and wear the shield at night so you don't rub them in your sleep.
The first weeks
- Screens: follow the clinic's advice. Short spells with breaks and lubricating drops are easier on dry eyes.
- No eye make-up until the clinic says it's fine, and start again with new products.
- No exercise for a week, no swimming or hot tubs for two weeks, no contact sport for four (a general guide after LASIK; your clinic's advice comes first).
- Keep out of dust and smoke for the first days.
Check-ups
A typical schedule is the next day, a week, three months and a year. Some clinics add a one-month visit, and surface treatment needs an extra visit to take the bandage lens out. Ask how many visits are in your price and what a later one costs.
Warning signs
Ring the clinic straight away, whatever the hour, if you have severe pain, a discharge, sight that gets worse instead of better, a lot of redness, new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow across your vision.
Questions people ask
When can I look at my phone after laser eye surgery?
Briefly the same evening if your eyes are comfortable, more from the next day. Take breaks, because screens make dryness worse.
When can I fly after laser eye surgery?
Ask your surgeon. The bigger question is fitting your check-ups around the trip, especially the next-day and one-week visits.
How long does it take for vision to settle?
Most of the improvement comes in the first days or weeks. Sight can keep fluctuating a little for three to six months, especially after surface treatment.