SurgeryDo not rub eyes
After LASIK / Refractive Surgery
General recovery education after LASIK, PRK, or refractive surgery.
Medical disclaimer
This guidance is general patient education. Always follow the specific instructions given by your own surgeon or eye doctor — they take priority over anything on this page.
Do
- Use prescribed drops as directed.
- Attend follow-up visits.
- Avoid dusty or smoky environments.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors.
- Do not let water enter your eye for 14 days after surgery or an eye procedure unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- During showering or face washing, you may use protective waterproof goggles, such as swimming or diving-style goggles, to help prevent water from entering the eye. Make sure they do not press hard on the eye.
Don't
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Do not press on your eyes.
- Do not swim or use hot tubs until cleared.
- Do not get water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, or face wash in the eyes.
- Do not wear eye makeup until cleared.
- Do not drive until your vision is safe and you are cleared.
- Do not let the eye drop bottle tip touch your eyelashes, eyelids, eye surface, fingers, skin, or any surface. Touching the bottle tip can contaminate the drops.
About your eye drops
- Do not let the eye drop bottle tip touch your eyelashes, eyelids, eye surface, fingers, skin, or any surface. Touching the bottle tip can contaminate the drops.
- Close the bottle immediately.
- Do not rub the eye after using drops.
Water & washing
- Do not let water enter your eye for 14 days after surgery or an eye procedure unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- During showering or face washing, keep the eye closed and avoid direct water, soap, shampoo, or face wash entering the eye.
Normal things you may notice
- Dryness
- Burning or gritty feeling
- Light sensitivity
- Fluctuating vision
- Halos or glare at night
- Mild tearing
Warning signs — contact the clinic urgently
- Severe pain
- Sudden decrease in vision
- Increasing redness
- Pus or unusual discharge
- Worsening light sensitivity
- Injury or accidental rubbing soon after surgery
- Water, soap, shampoo, or chemicals entered the eyes and symptoms worsen
When to call the clinic
- If pain is severe or worsening.
- If vision drops suddenly.
- If symptoms are worse than the clinic told you to expect.
- If you accidentally rub, press, or injure the eye.
- If water or chemicals entered the eye and symptoms worsen.
- If the drop bottle tip touched eyelashes or another surface and symptoms worsen.
Have questions about your eyes?
This information is general education and does not replace a professional eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes, book an appointment.