How to recover from a laser procedure as quickly as possible? What does the length of the recovery time actually indicate?
There are several ways to correct nearsightedness, and these are generally divided into two categories: laser operations with a cut and those without a cut. The main difference between them often comes down to the very different recovery times. With some procedures, it is said that you can return to work the very next day, while others promise good vision immediately. At KSA Silmakeskus, we recommend planning 1 week for recovery.
How can recovery times vary so much? Does a short recovery time indicate that one laser procedure is more reliable than another? Is fast recovery always good?
Today, time is priority number one – life is getting faster, multitasking has become a national sport, and it’s often difficult to find shared moments even for friends or family. When you add family and small children into the equation, everything becomes even more intense. At KSA, we believe that time is our most valuable asset, and it’s only natural that people are increasingly looking for faster and simpler solutions in their lives.
However, health is not something to rush. If you’ve been nearsighted for years or even decades, then one safe week of recovery after a laser procedure — and ultimately freeing yourself from nearsightedness — is actually a very short period of time. In addition, a longer recovery process can offer several benefits for the patient.
Why is recovery after a laser procedure — and its speed — so individual?
The speed of recovery depends on the type of laser procedure performed on the eyes. There are different methods such as LASIK, LASEK, PRK and SMILE. Recovery time varies based on how exactly the cornea is reshaped — whether a cut is made, or the surface of the cornea is polished and thinned using a laser.
With the Flow3 procedure offered at KSA Silmakeskus, nearsightedness is corrected without creating any incision on the surface of the cornea. The laser beams reshape only the corneal tissue, automatically eliminating many potential risks and complications previously associated with corneal incisions. As a result of the procedure, the eye’s surface epithelium is temporarily removed — one of the fastest-regenerating tissues in the body — and grows back within 3 days. After the epithelium has regenerated, the eye that has undergone the procedure appears under a microscope exactly like a normal eye — there is no incision, and the eye tolerates friction, touch and impact just as it did before the procedure. And although procedures involving a cut may allow for quicker visual sharpness, the incision remains on the eye forever and never fully heals closed.
Loe Flow3 laserprotseduuri kohta siit: https://ksa.ee/en/laser-eye-surgery/
What are the main factors that influence recovery?
There can be many reasons, but the most important are the type of procedure (with a cut or without one) and, of course, the patient’s overall health condition, age, individual characteristics of the eyes, and the stability of previous refraction. Additionally, a person can support their own recovery by following post-procedure care instructions precisely, adhering to lifestyle restrictions, and allowing time for rest. Each procedure type has its own specific factors, and your ophthalmologist will guide you through all of them.
Is it possible to recover from a laser procedure in just one day?
With some procedures, such as LASIK, vision can improve very quickly during the first days, but generally it is still recommended to take at least a couple of days — or even a week — to rest. However, it’s important to know that lifestyle restrictions remain in place for a longer time. This is because the corneal incision never fully heals closed, and therefore high-trauma or high-pressure activities such as diving, skydiving and similar sports are no longer recommended after the operation.
After LASIK eye surgery, strong heat exposure — such as visiting a sauna — should be avoided for a full month. With a no-cut laser procedure, such restrictions disappear already within a week.
What are the advantages of the Flow3 no-cut procedure?
The Flow3 laser procedure is no-cut and therefore less invasive, although full visual recovery and achieving maximum vision still take time — typically 1–2 weeks, up to one and a half months. A major advantage of Flow is that lifestyle restrictions apply for only 1 week. After that, you can do absolutely everything again — go to the sauna, start training, or even go skydiving!
A no-cut procedure does not create a corneal incision that could later lead to ectasia or keratoconus. Ectasia and keratoconus affect nearly 90% of men under the age of 30; among women, keratoconus is very rare.
Flow3 is no-cut, reducing corneal damage and ensuring more stable vision in the long term. As many as 85% of respondents reported that after the laser procedure they see significantly better than they did previously with glasses or contact lenses. No more frames limiting your field of vision, no lenses drying out your eyes, and no need to squint when reading.
Every laser procedure performed at KSA Silmakeskus is preceded by a thorough eye examination during which we assess hundreds of different parameters that give us a complete overview of each person’s visual function and eye condition. The correct diagnosis and precise measurements help ensure that every procedure we perform is ultimately successful. For 97% of respondents, quality of life improved noticeably thanks to better vision. Patients who underwent laser eye surgery especially appreciated how activities like sports, travel, swimming and everyday routines became effortlessly simple and comfortable.
What should you consider when choosing a laser procedure or clinic?
- Experience and reliability of the clinic and specialists.
- Safety and effectiveness of the technology used.
- Recovery time and type of procedure.
- Post-procedure check-ups and support services.
At KSA, we have been performing laser procedures since 2005, and our specialists are true experts in their field. We use our newest Flow3 technology, which is even safer, more reliable and more secure than previous generations. KSA replaces its lasers regularly every few years, as the technology used in eye surgery evolves constantly, and we consider it essential to invest in both diagnostic devices and the laser itself. After your laser procedure, we are here for you 24/7 — on the day of the procedure we will drive you home by taxi within Tallinn, we carefully monitor your recovery, conduct follow-up check-ups and provide assistance with any concerns you may have as a patient.
How do the eyes recover after the Flow3 procedure?
After the Flow3 procedure, vision is initially mildly blurry but improves gradually. During the first week, it is important to moisturize the eyes regularly, avoid screen use, and wear sunglasses in bright light. Most patients achieve full visual sharpness within a few weeks to a few months. The recovery period is always individual.
“At first, vision could be extremely sharp at one moment and then suddenly blurry again. It made me a bit impatient. I thought, oh wow, clarity is here — and then it disappeared again.” — Ringo Ramul
“The first week after recovery was probably the most challenging, because at first my vision became slightly worse. At the same time, it was a good moment to focus on myself — to go for walks, tidy up the home, and simply rest. After a week, my vision started improving rapidly every day, and soon became almost perfect. One week after the procedure, I felt that my vision had fully recovered and was even better than ever before.” — Hanna Maria.
“To my surprise, the recovery was very fast and painless, and I didn’t experience the uncomfortable recovery I was afraid of.” — Liis Velsker.
Once you have recovered from the procedure, your visual acuity may reach as high as 120%. With the no-cut method, visual quality, contrast sensitivity and overall eye comfort are better in the long term according to KSA Eye Center’s experience and many scientific studies, compared with cut-based laser procedures.
What does KSA recommend for the fastest and smoothest recovery?
Post-procedure care and routine are just as important as the procedure itself. For fast and easy recovery, close cooperation between the patient and the clinic is essential — following the treatment plan, allowing the eyes enough time to heal, and observing lifestyle restrictions during the first week.
- During the first days after the procedure, make sure your eyes stay as moisturized as possible. Use single-use soft tissues for wiping tears and wash your hands before applying eye drops.
- On the day of the procedure, we will provide you with high-quality sunglasses that protect your eyes from bright light and sunlight during the first week. Use them confidently.
- Physical restrictions such as sports, heavy physical work and training, swimming, sauna visits and similar activities end within 6–8 days, once the contact lenses placed during the procedure have been removed at your first check-up.
- Take time to rest — after any major procedure, the body needs time to recover. During the first week, avoid prolonged screen use and reading up close. For example, you can spend this time listening to audiobooks, going for slow walks and enjoying light daily activities.
- If you have any questions or concerns, contact KSA Eye Center — we will answer all your questions and support you throughout your recovery.
