10 Tips for Recovering From ReLEx Eye Surgery

If you suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness, ReLEx surgery in Toronto could be the answer. ReLEx SMILE eye surgery is a low-risk, minimally invasive laser eye treatment. Unlike traditional LASIK, which vaporizes the tissue in the cornea with two lasers, ReLEx uses a small laser incision to remove a lens-sized piece of tissue from the cornea.

At Clearview Vision Institute, we support ReLEx surgery in Toronto for patients across the city. It’s important to us that our patients have all the information going into any vision procedure, including ReLEx.

If you’re considering ReLEx surgery in Toronto, it’s helpful to know what the recovery process is like. Here are 10 tips for recovering from ReLEx eye surgery from the team at Clearview Vision Institute.

1. Be prepared for eye drops

During the ReLEx surgery, your doctor will apply anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. After surgery, you will be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to ensure there is no risk of infection. The drops are normally administered over the course of 7-10 days following your procedure. Follow the directions of your eye doctor or those on the packaging of the antibiotic drops.

2. Expect not to drive for 72 hours

Before you go in for your procedure, be sure to arrange a drive home with somebody you trust. You won’t be able to drive yourself, as vision will be blurry. This driving ban should continue for the next few days until our doctors have confirmed you are legally able by law to resume driving.

In the interim, be prepared to stay home, ride public transportation, or get a ride with a friend or family member. Some people prefer to take a few days off from work following ReLEx eye surgery, but this isn’t necessary. You may be able to return within 24 to 48 hours if you reduce or minimize screen time.

3. Reduce screen time

This brings us to our third tip on recovery for ReLEx surgery in Toronto. Following your treatment, your eyes will be increasingly sensitive to light and easily strained. This will clear up as your corneal tissue heals. In the meantime, be prepared to reduce screen time on phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and even television.

This may mean taking a brief hiatus from work, social media, and your favourite programs. Don’t worry, though, you’ll be back in the groove of things in no time. Audiobooks and phone calls with friends are a great way to spend time away from activities that require a lot of visual focus.

4. Drink lots of water

ReLEx surgery creates far less frequent symptoms of dry eye than LASIK and other eye treatments. However, it’s still beneficial to keep eyes hydrated and functioning well for healing purposes. Drinking plenty of water will help keep fluids at optimal levels for healing, and further reduce the risk of dry and itchy eyes following your treatment.

If you can, increase your water intake a few days before treatment so that your body has time to adjust. Keep your water levels increased during healing, and you should notice a more comfortable recovery period.

5. Get plenty of rest

When we sleep, our bodies are able to heal at a cellular level. This is when cellular growth occurs, including your eye cells. As your corneal tissue heals from the surgery, getting regular sleep will increase healing speed and decrease side effects like dry eyes, fatigue, headaches, and itchy eyes.

6. Stay out of the pool

Chlorine is never nice on the eyes, but it is especially dangerous following ReLEx eye surgery. The chlorine will irritate your eyes, and with your cornea tissue not fully recovered, it could delay healing, further deteriorate your eyes, or cause infection.

You should also refrain from spending time in hot tubs, and may want to limit hot or overly warm water near your eyes in the tub or shower at home. Your doctor will speak to this more clearly before or following your procedure.

7. Call a doctor if side effects are serious

While ReLEx surgery in Toronto is a minimally invasive procedure, there are always some side effects to consider. Common reactions to the surgery include:

• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Headaches
• Fatigue

These symptoms shouldn’t last for more than 24 hours following your procedure. If you experience ongoing side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

8. Avoid makeup

Makeup is something to avoid following your procedure. This is especially true to eye makeup like eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, which could infiltrate eye tissue and cause damage or infection. It’s also true of all makeup, including foundation, blush, and concealer, which could be rubbed into the eye accidentally.

Moisturizer may have a similar impact if it gets into your eyes, so limit or refrain from using facial moisturizer until your eyes have fully healed.

9. Wear protection

Your eyes will be sensitive to light for a day following surgery, but they also should be protected from dust and debris in the air. A pair of safety goggles is a good investment during the daytime. A sleeping mask at night is also helpful. During outdoor experiences, wear eyeglasses to protect your eyes.

Eye protection might seem silly, especially during sleep, but you’d be surprised to learn how much debris floats around in the air regularly. Usually, our eyelashes, blinking, and tear ducts protect our eyes from these obtrusions. However, following surgery, while your cornea tissue is open to the air and potential infection, it’s crucial to cover your eyes and reduce any foreign objects from entering until you are completely healed.

10. Avoid cigarettes and fire smoke

Smoke of any kind is irritating to your eyes at the best of times but can be especially potent following ReLEx surgery. Be extra careful to avoid any type of smoking after surgery, be it cigarettes or sitting around a bonfire. If you have any questions about laser eye surgery in Toronto, feel free to reach out!

Contact Clearview Vision Institute Today

Interested in learning more about ReLEx surgery in Toronto? Clearview Vision Institute has the answers. Our experienced team is always eager to help new and existing clients. To chat about the ReLEx process, the differences between ReLEx and LASIK, and other services, call us at 1-647-493-6371. You can also contact us online here.