Exact Answer: After 24 hours
LASIK(Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a method of changing the shape of the cornea permanently. In this process, a laser device or a blade device is used to peel off the flap of the cornea to improve vision. This laser vision correction is a type of surgery that can improve myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
During the LASIK procedure, a specially qualified and trained eye surgeon will first create a thin-hinged corneal layer by using a microkeratome. The surgeon then pulls back the flap that is created to unearth the corneal tissue. And then for each patient, the excimer laser reshapes the cornea in a distinct pre-specified pattern.
How Long After LASIK Can I Wash My Face?
| Time is taken for LASIK | 30-60 minutes |
| Time after which you can wash your face | 24 hours |
| Time after which you can use lenses | 4 weeks |
LASIK is a quick and effective recovery process. People have so many questions regarding how long they have to wait after LASIK to wash their faces! You should stay for at least 24 hours after the LASIK surgery before washing your face, and the same with showering too.
While showering, you must avoid getting soap bubbles, shampoo, and water in your eyes for at least 2 weeks. If you’re applying face wash, then you simply need to be attentive and careful during that time. You must consider avoiding your forehead wholly, as the bubbles of the soap are more likely to trickle down in that eye area. Then gently you can just dab your face with a towel by avoiding that eye part.
Many LASIK centers commonly permit their patients to have a shower 1-2 weeks after LASIK surgery. This method is dependable as it is also common for many patients to require extra time, it could be more days, weeks, or even months before the best results. It does not always acquire perfect vision instantly and perfect vision is not warranted nor should be expected.
After a month, it’ll be completely safe to wash your face and you don’t have to worry about it. If you’ll take good and proper care of your eyes after surgery then it’s risk-free. By following the post-LASIK care plan, the surgery can speed up the healing time. So, you’ve to follow the instructions to lessen the complications, get a quick heal and a satisfactory result.
Why Can I Wash My Face So Long After LASIK?
LASIK surgery is a quick process. It takes only 30 minutes but the patients have to have patience till that. You must not touch or wash your eyes after LASIK. You have to wait for the completion of the prescribed time. Specifically, patients who have had LASIK surgery, shouldn’t wash their eyes because it might move or dislodge the flap that is made on the surface of their eyes.
It can cause irritation, redness, tears, slight swelling, and light sensitivity. So, don’t wash your eyes for 24-48 hours, until your doctor advises you that it’s safe to do so. So, we’ve already discussed that the corneal flap created during the LASIK procedure takes time to heal. Many people safely wash their faces during the LASIK healing method using the simple tips above. However, some patients still fear accidentally getting liquids in their eyes during their skincare schedule.
This concern is completely understandable. Thankfully, some facial cleansing methods are there to reduce the risk of getting anything in your eyes. During your shower and bath, the water can result in an infection in the recovering eyes. You can wash your face by using a sterile saline solution and clean the regions around your eyes by using a cotton ball. Soak that cotton ball with saline solution, close your eyes, and then gently dab the region around your eyes.
After a month, you don’t have to bother about this issue at all anymore. You could go diving in the ocean and get some saltwater in too, and normally, it will act fine much like a normal eye. Also, obey the following instructions: showering, swimming, bathing, exercising, reading, tanning, eye makeup, and computer use.
Conclusion
Many patients think that wearing contact lenses is safer than having LASIK surgery. This is a misunderstanding. Recent studies have concluded that LASIK is much safer than wearing contact lenses. Patients are more likely to have an infection wearing contact lenses than patients who have LASIK surgery.
Further study concluded that LASIK provided effective outcomes and improved the readiness of over 16,000 army service members. So, not to worry about LASIK surgery as it is proven to be Safer and provides a better quality of vision. It gives higher levels of comfort, more accurate vision, better night vision, and less glare, and surely excellent results.
References
- https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/1081597X-20120722-01
- https://journals.healio.com/doi/abs/10.3928/1081597X-20140814-02
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