The pressure that rubbing puts on the eyes can also stimulate the vagus nerve, which lowers your heartrate and helps to relieve stress. I believe the main reason why they tell you not to rub your eye is to avoid any eye infections, which your eye is very susceptible to post surgery. If you're not comfortable with the flap, simple, get PRK. Ugh I feel this way too! Press J to jump to the feed. Eye Injury – Eyes may be itchy due to a variety of factors, but one of the most common reasons people rub their eyes is having something actually in the eye. Not gonna try it but I wanted to hear when they would be healed. Not wearing the eye shields while sleeping. It felt like my flap was moving. Resuming Activities After Lasik Eye Surgery. After I'm done, I use a face towel to dry my face. Once you’re warmed up, you’ll want to focus on focusing. I was fine, I'm sure you are to. My doctor said my eyes healed perfectly but I'm not confident in washing my eyelids or doing my make up yet. Rubbing eyes may result in corneal damage, keratoconus, and may dislodge the corneal flap If done soon after the procedure within a month .Do not rub your eyes at least for 2-3 weeks after LASIK surgery. Just last night I realized that I tend to rub my eyes in my sleep. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. I’ve been wearing blue light glasses to prevent eye rubbing during the day and eye mask with enough room to blink when wearing the sleep eye mask so my eyes don’t get dry, do I don’t rub or get pillow fluff in my eyelash. My doctor said no eye rubbing for a month to be really safe. , It's been over a year for me and I STILL haven't rubbed my eyes lmao. Immediately following your LASIK procedure, you will be sent home wearing a pair of goggles meant to protect your eyes as they heal. After I'm done, I use a face towel to dry my face. To put it another way, out of an estimated 16 million LASIK eye surgeries (two eyes per surgery) there are 3.2 million ruined eyes in America alone. After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not. Rubbing or touching the eye at this time could cause the flap to become displaced, hindering the healing process and having an adverse effect on your vision. If something gets in my eyes, can it mess up the flap? I'm currently in the research stage for LASIK or PRK. ICL; RLE; Cataract Surgery; Cornea. Rubbing your eyes after LASIK. I called my doc yesterday to ask about this and I wanted 100% confidence that they were healed so I asked when it would be appropriate to wear contacts. I wore mascara for the first time about a month ago and I made sure that I pull my eyelid up so I don't put pressure directly un my eyeball... if that makes sense. Again, it is important not to rub or bump your eyes for several days after LASIK to prevent the flap from being dislodged and to minimize the odds for infection. No matter the reason, itchy eyes can be a real bother. Keratoconus; Fuchs’ Dystrophy; DSEK; DMEK; Corneal Transplants; Pterygium; Other Services. I tried to clean my eyes with a cotton pad and I been careful but I immediately stopped when I felt that my flap was moving a little even though that's not possible. I went on vacation a month and a half after my LASIK procedure a couple years ago. Thus the satisfied feeling from rubbing your eyes. Call Now. Eye protection is necessary at this time, as the flap made in your cornea during surgery is now closing (as part of the body’s natural healing process). Chronic Eye rubbing is likely to cause a problem and can cause weakness and ectasia even if there is a propensity for a weakened cornea. I usually wash my face with soap and water. Many LASIK patients experience dry eyes after the procedure. Getting soap in your eye increases the chances of an eye infection, not dislodging the flap. Eye protection is necessary at this time, as the flap made in your cornea during surgery is now closing (as part of the body’s natural healing process). After I wake up in the morning, my eyes always feel dirty and uncomfortable. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. for a month so I definitely rubbed my eyes and stuff considering how often I was in salt water. Rubbing your eyes can have seriously harmful consequences. I’m 3 weeks out and just wore make up for the first time earlier this week. I kinda miss doing my eye make up, but I don't wanna risk anything. And he said yes. Getting a SMILE refractive surgery won’t guarantee that you won’t need glasses in old age, but no existing treatment can stop the eventual decay of eyes. Idk if that makes you feel a little confident but I’m sure washing my face will be nerve wrecking tonight but I’m so looking forward to it! Your antibiotic eye drops are very powerful and do a great job of preventing infection, but most people don’t fully understand that swimming pools and hot tubs are near the top of bacteria’s list of favorite environments. So how long should you avoid rubbing your eyes after LASIK? … Lasik, I'm afraid I'm going to rub my eyes too hard someday and move the flap. Avoid rubbing, squeezing or touching your eyes after LASIK surgery, since the surface of your eyes are still sensitive. Hi, I had SmartSurface PRK done a week ago and just got my bandage contact lenses removed yesterday. A week after surgery, the flap should be very well healed. Tyson's Corner, VA By Kristina Oneill on May 06, 2013 . Patients can get back to normal activities by the next day after LASIK, but eye rubbing is not on the list of “normal activities.” Avoiding eye rubbing helps ensure that the surface of the eye … Rubbing the eyes can stimulate tear production which can lubricate and offer relief for dry, itchy eyes. Sometimes, eye rubbing will make already-bloodshot red eyes look even worse. Firm eye rubbing in normal individuals causes a mild and transient increase in ocular itching, chemosis and hyperaemia; 56 however, after cat‐sensitive individuals were exposed to cat allergens, the adverse responses to eye rubbing were found to be more dramatic and to persist longer. Patients ask us, “when can I rub my eyes after LASIK?” When it comes to rubbing your eyes whether or not you have had LASIK or not, we recommend that you to think twice about what you are doing! Reading this sub, a lot of the posters have dry eyes or other complications. Once it’s clear, switch to a nearby one. Delhi LASIK surgeon Dr. Rajiv Bajaj reveals things to avoid right after LASIK surgery, such as rubbing your eyes and getting them wet. But honestly I was so aware of not touching my eyes initially that I am almost to the one month mark and used to not rubbing them now. It's been three months since my Lasik Surgery and I had two check ups ever since. such as hair, soap, smoke, etc. I freaked out. Despite what people say about the Lasik flap, I'm still not sure if I'm ok with it. If you're not comfortable with traditional PRK's recovery time, then find a surgeon outside the United States who has one of those new Schwind lasers and can do a "SmartSurfACE" PRK which has significantly faster recovery time and less pain (almost no pain in my case). I would imagine that three months out, you're definitely safe to wear make up and clean it off. Subreddit dedicated to LASIK, PRK, SMILE, ICL, and all other forms of vision correction procedures. When I went on vacation, I was island hopping, snorkeling, etc. Rubbing or touching the eyes at this time could cause the flap to become dislodged, interrupting the healing process. Wear your plastic shields when sleeping and if your eyes are sensitive to light, wear your sunglasses. However, when I look at the LASIK places near me, the vast majority of the hundreds of reviews are 5-star and don't mention any complications. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Should your eyes remain irritated, Dr. Mozayeni tells his patients not to hesitate to call Providence Eye & Laser Specialists to discuss their situation. I don't want to visit my doctor again until I completed the 6 months, but I think if I'll notice if the flap really moves. Immediately following your LASIK procedure, you will be sent home wearing a pair of goggles meant to protect your eyes as they heal. Make An Appointment. Maybe I should stick with my glasses and contacts? Common risks from rubbing your eyes include: After laser eye surgery, take these precautions to prevent injury or infection:. Don't take a shower or wash your hair until the day after. There are ways this condition can be treated. I just had my 1 week and the dr said I can wash my face and wear make up. What’s more, about 60% (or 9.6 million American eyes) will have only a temporary dependence from glasses and contacts after laser eye surgery. He said that I can do anything that a normal human does without over-thinking. They told me a month. Stay focused. Perfect. I tried to clean my eyes with a cotton pad and I been careful but I immediately stopped when I felt that my flap was moving a little even though that's not possible. My doctor said my eyes healed perfectly but I'm not confident in washing my eyelids or doing my make up yet. Another person I met on my trip had also just had LASIK done but two months prior and I saw him rub his eyes multiple times and he's also fine. The epithelium layer is the protective layer of the front of the cornea. With the PRK procedure there is a short amount of time for the healing of the surface of the eye, called the epithelium. If you have a particularly high prescription, have had previous surgery elsewhere or you require specialist correction … I use to LOVE rubbing my eyes especially after a long night. Answer: Rubbing the Eye After LASIK or Surgery for Cataracts. I immediately stopped when I felt that my flap was moving a little even though that's not possible, I haven't had Lasik yet (consultation got cancelled so couldn't get another one scheduled for over a month later), but the idea of the sensation of the flap moving a little makes me queasy! 011-47024919 / 27012054. Complications with healing of the flap, vision problems, or infections can occur if the eyes are not properly cared for post LASIK. Sometimes things get in my eyes and I have to rub my eyes to get them out. Why Should I Not Rub My Eyes After LASIK? This is because the skin underneath our eyes is very thin and if we continue rubbing it, it can cause the tiny blood vessels around the eyes to break the burst. Rubbing your eyes can have seriously harmful consequences. As a general rule, you should completely avoid rubbing the eyes for the first two weeks post-op. Subreddit dedicated to LASIK, PRK, SMILE, ICL, and all other forms of vision correction procedures. After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not. I didn’t sleep for the rest of the night and I used bandage tape to completely seal my goggles to my face. Rubbing your eyes is not a good look. After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not. Instead of rubbing your eyes, try to get in the habit of putting in artificial tears. That happened to me a few days ago and I had Lasik 3 months ago. Start by staring at a distant object. This may mean reaching for a lubricant eye drop instead of rubbing first thing in the morning. Never touch your eyes without washing. Rubbing your eyes can have seriously harmful consequences. Visual disturbances, such as poor night vision, glares and halos around lights, and double vision, can be side effects of LASIK.They may continue for a few days up to a few weeks. LASIK Eye Surgery. Modern surgical methods have allowed surgeons to make much small incisions(in the case of cataracts) and precision created corneal flaps(in the case of LASIK) that make rubbing the eye much less of a threat than in the past. It's not good for them to rub them hard anyway, LASIK or not. I specifically asked my doctor how long until the flap was healed and I wouldn't have to worry about any of that stuff. X; Home; About Clinic; LASIK Specialist; LASIK . They said a month out and I asked so one month on the day I could wear contacts and I would be fine? After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not. I'd personally suggest you work with your optometrist/opthamologist to resolve the eye rubbing prior to any procedure. After one month following LASIK, the risk of displacing the flap with eye rubbing is very low. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually mild and temporary. How to prevent rubbing eyes in sleep? Learn More » Lens-Based Vision Correction. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I had Lasik a little over a month ago and I will say the first few times I rubbed my eye or wiped off my mascara it felt weird. I was fine. It's been three months since my Lasik Surgery and I had two check ups ever since. Can I still do it after PRK/LASIK? Proper eye care is required after LASIK. It’s a very good idea, after LASIK surgery, in particular, not to rub your eyes at all, particularly in the first few weeks after the procedure.. Incredibly, the laser flap seals down very rapidly under the surface of the eye. I also rub my eyes to clean them to get rid of that dirty/uncomfortable feeling. Excessive dry eyes can persist for as long as six months after LASIK. Eye Rubbing after LASIK – Why Be Careful? The good news? I need to do more research than I thought...lol. I won’t wear make up for at least another month as I just don’t want to feel any pressure on my eye ball! After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not. Get your personal best vision with LASIK! Over-the-counter lubricating eyedrops can soothe the uncomfortable symptoms. My doctor said this was normal and it stopped a few days later. Do not perform any activity unless advised by your eye surgeon. If your visual acuity decreases after getting soaps in the eye, try to flush the soap out of your eye with the artificial tears, then go to your ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Begin by rubbing your palms together to produce low heat, then place them over your eyes for several seconds. Diabetic Eye; Dry Eye; Glaucoma; Macular Dege Not sure what's the best word to describe it but my eyes don't feel too good. You may start with light exercise and may increase it over the next two weeks after surgery. Rubbing your eyes after LASIK can easily lead to a dislodged flap, which can cause serious damage to the cornea and damage to vision. It feels totally normal now to rub my eyes. As a general rule, you should completely avoid rubbing the eyes for the first two weeks post-op. Now that you're 3 months out, you should be fine - don't go crazy, but a little bit of pressure on the eyes will be fine. A rub-free remedy. Consult your LASIK surgeon as to which brand she recommends; however, using a drop containing no preservatives is most often preferred. Studies have found that 85 to 98 percent of people experience dry eyes a week after LASIK surgery. I Accidentally Rubbed my Eyes After PRK, I'm Worried? Rubbing your eyes can have seriously harmful consequences. It’s just horrible to think I could completely mess up my eyesight so I am freaking out about everything! Hope that it can help you. I don’t wear it all the time anymore but it really helped to break those habits! Today, PRK remains safer and more effective for individuals facing certain corneal health issues. Rubbing eyes may result in corneal damage, keratoconus, and may dislodge the corneal flap If done soon after the procedure within a month. Lasik, I'm afraid I'm going to rub my eyes too hard someday and move the flap. Is that normal or should I wait a little longer ? PRK, I think my eyes should be back to normal after the initial healing time but I'm not sure. Thanks for sharing :). Lubricating eye drops, like the ones found over the counter at the pharmacy, are a reliable method to treat itchy eyes. I knew it wasn’t but it felt like that. I didn’t even get all my mascara off because I was so scared haha. If you have a foreign particle in your eye, rubbing your eyes is the least effective and most dangerous way to get it out . After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK or not. 2.5% of the total pool saw a bit of worsening after a year’s time, but the rest of the patients’ vision either stayed as good as it had been a few months after the procedure or improved further. Rubbing your eyes can have seriously harmful consequences. I was so scared to take it off! I did the same thing and ran back to the doc in a panic. Uhh ok thank you and wishing you good luck :). Rubbing eyes soon after LASIK surgery is a strict no-no as it may lead to various complications. Maybe I should consider other options such as ortho-k? Rubbing Eyes After LASIK. I don’t wear it all the time anymore but it really helped to break those habits! What You Should Know . Do this between five and 10 times per direction. Proper eye care is required after LASIK. You'd have to suffer some serious trauma or rub your eye very hard in order to dislodge the flap. If you are stressed that you may unconsciously rub your eyes in the evening, that’s what the protective goggle you will wear for the first 2 … What are the chances of the flap reopening? Can I still do it after PRK/LASIK? Well, the consequence of rubbing your eye after cataract surgery , depends a lot on the time duration from the surgery to the said act of rubbing the eye. What is LASIK? Rubbing your eyes can have seriously harmful consequences. After this time, it is okay to gently rub your eyes, although it is always best to avoid eye rubbing if possible whether you have had LASIK … Take note, allergy sufferers In addition to runny noses and scratchy throats, a symptom of having allergies is itchy, irritated eyes. My vision is fine. If you do happen to get dust or dirt into your eye within the one-week timeframe after your LASIK surgery, rinse your eyes with your preservative-free lubricating drops that you purchased prior to your surgery. 5. Next, roll your eyes slowly clockwise and then counterclockwise.