RECOVERING FROM THE ICL PROCEDURE
The day after surgery is very exciting. Most likely you will be seeing 20/20 or better. Usually, you will drive yourself to the checkup the day after surgery without glasses. For someone who has been severely nearsighted his or her entire adult life, the effect is miraculous. You can’t feel the lens and your eyes are comfortable.
The main concern for the first few days after surgery is making sure that your eye pressure stays normal. On rare occasions the peripheral iridotomy gets plugged up and the fluid can’t circulate normally so pressure builds up in your eye. The pressure causes an aching feeling in your eye, your temple, or your cheek. The immediate cure for the increased pressure is to go into the surgeon’s office to have your eyes dilated. The surgeon will have you return to the office in the next day or so for more laser treatment to enlarge the peripheral iridotomy, which ensures the pressure stays normal. The most important thing to note is this: if you feel pressure or a headachy feeling in or around your eye, call the surgeon immediately. Don’t wait and hope it will go away.
POSTOPERATIVE CARE
You will typically see your opthalmologist the day after your procedure for a checkup, and again during the first week after the procedure. You will use eyedrops containing a steroid to promote healing. Keeping your follow-up appointments is important, even if your vision is perfect. Your doctor needs to monitor your healing to be sure it is normal.
RESUMING ACTIVITIES
Don’t drive on the day of surgery. Resume driving only when your vision is clear enough that you are safe on the road, which is usually the next morning for most people. Also, stay away from swimming pools, Jacuzzis, and hot tubs for a week after surgery. Bacteria in the water could cause an infection. It is fine to shower or bathe, though, because tap water has very few bacteria.
It is fine to wear makeup, but avoid wearing old mascara and eyeliner for the first week after the procedure. Old mascara and eyeliner can accumulate germs, which you do not want to introduce into your eyes. If you wish to wear mascara or eyeliner during the first week after surgery, open a fresh tube. For the same reason, avoid dusty environments for the first three days.
Otherwise, there are very few restrictions on your activities after your surgery. Reading, computer work, watching television, and flying are all fine to do immediately. You can restart your regular exercise regimen the morning after surgery.
Results You Can Expect From The ICL
