Getting LASIK was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made—but that first week after surgery definitely came with a few challenges. If you’re planning to get LASIK in Japan (or anywhere), it helps to know what kind of side effects you might experience—and how to handle them properly.
Here’s what I personally went through during the first 7 days after my LASIK procedure.
The Most Noticeable Side Effect: Dry Eyes
The biggest issue I had was dry eyes, especially if I forgot to use the prescribed eye drops on time.
In the early days after surgery, the clinic told me to use artificial tears five times a day, and when I followed that schedule, my eyes felt totally fine. But anytime I missed a dose or applied them late, I could feel the dryness kicking in—my eyes would feel tired, scratchy, or just slightly uncomfortable.
Eye Drops Are Your Best Friend
Thankfully, the clinic provided prescription eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation, as well as lubricating drops to ease dryness.
I followed their instructions carefully, and after about two weeks, the symptoms started to go away. Now (almost three weeks post-surgery), I don’t even feel any dryness anymore—and my eye drops have run out too!
What Helped Me the Most
If you’re going through your LASIK recovery, here’s what personally helped me:
- Stick to your eye drop schedule
- Limit screen time—too much phone or laptop use made my eyes feel drier
- Don’t rub your eyes, even if they feel itchy or tired
- Try to rest often, especially in the first few days
Dry eyes after LASIK are super common and usually temporary. As long as you follow the aftercare plan, they should improve quickly.
Final Thoughts
LASIK recovery varies for everyone, but if dry eyes are your only side effect, like in my case, you’ll probably find the process very manageable. After about 2 to 3 weeks, my eyes felt back to normal, and I was enjoying my new, clear vision.
Just be patient with your body, stay disciplined with aftercare, and don’t panic over small symptoms. Your eyes are healing—and soon, you’ll forget you ever wore glasses.