Your First Week After ReLEx SMILE: 11 Do’s and Don’ts for a Quick Recovery

For millions of patients, ReLEx SMILE has been their ticket to perfect vision. This is a minimally invasive treatment for nearsightedness and astigmatism with a 17-year track record of success.

Unlike other laser vision correction procedures, SMILE only uses a small incision. It’s more comfortable, as a result. Furthermore, it does not require a flap, so there are no flap-related complications and side effects generally associated with LASIK.

SMILE is a gentle procedure that boasts a fast visual recovery for patients. You can resume your normal life sooner, only with greatly improved vision! However, you need to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your Toronto surgeon. Adhering to the 11 do’s and don’ts listed in this article keeps you on track for a quick recovery.

1. DO go directly home after your procedure

Please go home immediately after your ReLEx SMILE treatment in Toronto. Do not attempt to drive, run errands, or head to the pool for a swim! You need time to rest and recover, especially during the first three days post-surgery.

Your vision will be blurry right after surgery, and this blur will persist for 2 to 3 days. Nonetheless, most patients begin to notice an improvement in their vision almost immediately. Your vision should be fully stabilized within one week.

During this healing process, take it easy! Go home, relax, and let your cornea heal. We recommend gently closing your eyes for those first few hours. 

2. DO NOT rub your eyes for the first day

You need to be very gentle with your eyes initially. Therefore, do not rub your eyes for the first day following your procedure. If your eyes tear up, dab your cheeks gingerly. Do not touch your eyes.

3. DO wait a day to shower

It’s critically important to keep water out of your eyes during the first few days after your ReLEx SMILE procedure. Even a quick shower can be very bad for your eyes in that initial healing phase. You may shower the day after your treatment, but not sooner.

4. DO NOT drive for 1 to 2 days

One of the most attractive advantages of ReLEx SMILE is that it’s incredibly gentle. Most patients experience a fast visual recovery, so you can get back to living your daily life with minimum disruption—this includes driving! It’s actually very common for SMILE patients to be able to drive within 24 hours of their procedure (however, you should not drive yourself home post-surgery).

The day after your treatment, you’ll return to Clearview Vision Institute for a post-operative appointment. At that time, we evaluate your condition and determine if you’re able to drive. If your eyes need a little more time, then we’ll ask you to wait another 1–2 days.

5. DO go makeup-free for two days

For the first two days post-surgery, follow Pamela Anderson’s example and go makeup-free. Makeup and makeup brushes are teeming with bacteria, which can lead to serious eye infections that threaten your healing process.

We recommend avoiding eye makeup, in particular, for three days. You can start wearing lip products, foundation, and cream blush a day sooner. However, do not use any powder makeup; you’ll get loose makeup particles in your eyes.

6. DO NOT swim or participate in any water activities until you are fully healed

Avoid all water activities, including swimming in pools and soaking in hot tubs, until your eyes are fully healed. Typically, we suggest staying out of the water for up to six weeks. If you are an avid swimmer, you may be able to resume sooner provided that you wear goggles. Still, please check with us at Clearview Vision Institute first.

7. DO minimize screen time (including reading)

Prolonged reading and screen time can strain your eyes during those initial and critical days post-surgery. This can cause eye sensitivity, dryness, visual disturbances, and discomfort. It can also slow your recovery.

Consequently, you should avoid watching television, going on your phone, using the computer, and reading entirely for the first 24 hours after your SMILE procedure. You can start reintroducing screen time for short bursts after two days.

For some patients, reading fine print for extended periods of time may be challenging for 1 to 2 weeks.

8. DO NOT spend time in dusty or smoky areas

Dust, smoke, sand, and other small airborne particles can get into your eyes and wreak havoc. You could get a bad eye infection, delay your recovery, or develop another complication that puts your recovery at risk. Therefore, you must avoid all smoky and dusty areas until your eyes are healed. This includes construction areas, BBQs, campfires, dirt roads, and beaches.

If you work in a dusty environment, like a construction zone, you will have to take more time off work than those with office jobs. We may recommend taking 5 to 7 days off work, at least.

9. DO follow your eye drop routine diligently

You will be given an eye drop routine upon the completion of your surgery. It is extremely important that you adhere to this schedule diligently. This is essential to a quick, comfortable, and healthy recovery. Continue to use all of your prescribed eye drops and medications for the weeks following your recovery as advised by your eye surgeon.

After your ReLEx SMILE treatment in Toronto, your surgeon provides an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic eye drop. These must be applied multiple times a day for the first week. After that, the number and frequency of eye drops will decrease depending on how your eyes are healing.

10. DO NOT work out or play sports right away

Depending on the activity, you have to wait between 2 days and 4 weeks to resume physical activity like sports. It depends on the level of risk associated with the activity.

For example, stationary cycling, weight lifting, golf, and yoga are low-risk activities. You can start doing these after 3 to 5 days. Contact or high-impact sports, like boxing, basketball, and martial arts, need to be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Ask your surgeon for a more precise timeline during your post-operative appointment.

11. DO wear sunglasses during the healing phase

UV exposure can harm your eyes during the healing process. You must wear polarized sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever you go outside for the first month post-surgery. Your eyes will also be more sensitive to the light, so it’s more comfortable to wear sunglasses regardless.

Contact Clearview Vision Institute for ReLEx SMILE in Toronto

Clearview Vision Institute is the first clinic in Canada to offer ReLEx SMILE. As Toronto’s leading vision correction centre, we have a history of introducing groundbreaking and advanced procedures. This allows us to give our patients the best possible vision correction plans. We tailor treatment based on your needs, so you receive the right visual solution for you.

To request more information on ReLEx SMILE in Toronto, call Clearview Vision Institute today at 647-493-6371 or contact us here.