Will Eye Exams Be Different After I Have LASIK?

You’ve just had LASIK, and suddenly the world is in high definition. The details that once eluded you are now crystal clear—goodbye, blurry vision! But hold on—just because you can see perfectly now doesn’t mean you can skip your eye exams. While your visits to the optometrist may look a little different post-LASIK, they are still incredibly important, going beyond the concern of whether you will ever wear glasses or contacts again.  

First things first: the days and weeks following LASIK are crucial for your recovery. Immediately following surgery, your doctor will schedule several follow-up visits. These exams are important to ensure your eyes are healing properly and that there are no unexpected complications. 

At these early visits, which usually happen within 24 to 48 hours, your doctor will check how your corneas are healing, measure eye pressure and make sure your vision is improving. These appointments are also a great opportunity to discuss any concerns or discomfort you may be experiencing. 

In the weeks following the LASIK procedure, your doctor will continue to monitor your recovery and adjust any medications as necessary to manage dryness or irritation. You may feel some temporary discomfort or see halos or glare, but that is to be expected and will improve as the eyes heal. 

Once your eyes are fully healed, your annual eye exams will look a little different than they did before LASIK. While your LASIK eye surgery has likely reduced or eliminated your dependence on glasses or contact lenses, regular eye exams will continue to monitor your eye health and overall vision. Here’s what you can expect during your yearly check-ups after LASIK:

1. Vision and Eye Health Monitoring: Your doctor will still track any changes in your vision over time. Although LASIK corrects the refractive error, the natural aging process can still affect your eyes. For example, you might experience some age-related changes like presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects) down the line. 

2. Corneal Health: Your corneas were carefully reshaped during LASIK and their health is key to maintaining the clarity of your vision. Although rare, corneal scarring can develop as part of the healing process, so your doctor will check that your cornea remains stable as well looking for any changes in corneal thickness that can affect vision quality and overall eye health. 

3. Screening for Other Conditions: Your doctor will check for conditions such as dry eye, glaucoma and cataracts. Dry eye may occur more frequently after LASIK, which can feel sudden and uncomfortable, but is usually temporary; however, glaucoma and cataracts can develop gradually without noticeable symptoms. 

LASIK may have transformed your vision and reduced your need for corrective lenses, but it doesn’t mean you are done with eye care altogether. Regular eye exams remain a vital part of maintaining your eyesight and overall eye health.  

At the end of the day, LASIK is just the beginning of your journey to lasting, healthy vision. Ongoing care plays a big role in protecting the results you’ve worked so patiently to achieve. Whether it’s been a few days, weeks or even years since your procedure, Great Plains Eye Specialists is here to support you every step of the way. 
Schedule your next exam with us and let’s make sure your eyes stay as clear, comfortable and healthy as possible, now and in the future. Call today at 605-718-5123 or book online at WEBSITE.