LASIK Co-Management
Post-Operative Care
Post operative care after refractive surgery covers healing checks, vision assessment and dry eye management across the weeks following surgery. Co-managed patients have these visits locally rather than at the surgical centre.
Refractive surgery takes minutes. The healing takes months, and that is where most of the actual care happens.
The follow up schedule is typically dense at first, with a visit the day after surgery and then at intervals over the following weeks and months. Each visit assesses healing, measures vision, checks corneal surface health and manages the dry eye that almost everyone experiences during the early healing period.
Handling this locally matters practically. It means short journeys rather than repeated trips to a surgical centre, and it means the optometrist reviewing your healing has your pre operative measurements on file to compare against.
Our process
Day one reviewthe day after surgery
Early healing and vision checked, medication regimen confirmed.
First weekweek one
Healing progress, surface health and comfort assessed.
One monthweek four
Vision measured, dry eye assessed and managed, healing confirmed.
Three monthsmonth three
Vision stabilising, corneal shape reassessed.
Six to twelve monthsas scheduled
Final outcome assessed and a new prescription issued if any residual correction is needed.
What this does not do
- Dry eye during early healing is normal and usually temporary, though it can persist for months.
- Vision fluctuates during healing. The final result is judged at three to six months, not at week one.
- Enhancement procedures, where needed, are performed by the surgeon.
Questions and answers
How long does recovery take?
Functional vision returns within a day or two for most people. Full stabilisation takes three to six months, during which vision commonly fluctuates.
Is dry eye afterwards normal?
Yes, and it is expected. Surgery interrupts corneal nerve signalling, reducing tear production during healing. It usually improves over several months and is managed actively in the meantime.
What if my vision is not perfect?
Vision is assessed as it stabilises. Small residual prescriptions are common and often correctable with a light pair of glasses. Enhancement procedures are discussed with your surgeon where appropriate.
Do I still need annual eye exams?
Yes. Surgery corrects refraction and does nothing for eye health. Glaucoma screening, retinal assessment and everything else still matter, and post surgical corneas need monitoring.
Talk to someone about post-operative care
Appointments are scheduled two per hour, so there is time to answer questions properly. Call (480) 706-3937 or request a time online.