What Happens in the First 24 Hours After Laser Eye Surgery?

The first 24 hours after laser eye surgery matter for setting the right expectations and noticing anything unusual early. How the day unfolds varies with the technique used; TransPRK (no-touch PRK) and Femto LASIK differ in a few practical ways on day one.

What Does the First 24 Hours Feel Like?

Stinging, watering and a temporary sensitivity to light are common straight after the procedure, usually most noticeable in the first few hours, and they settle with regular use of the prescribed drops. Vision hasn't reached its final clarity yet; with both PRK and Femto LASIK, sharpness keeps improving over the following hours and days. A mild redness in the eye is also common on day one and usually fades on its own, reflecting brief contact with the instruments used or simply the laser treatment itself. This can feel unsettling, but it's an expected stage; whether anything falls outside the course explained beforehand is checked at the first follow-up. Knowing in advance which sensation to expect, and for how long, makes the first day easier to get through.

Is There a Difference Between PRK and Femto LASIK on Day One?

Yes, a clear one. With PRK, the cornea's surface layer (the epithelium) is removed by the laser, so it takes a few days to regrow; stinging and light sensitivity can be more noticeable than with Femto LASIK, and the bandage contact lens fitted at the end of surgery stays in place a few more days. With Femto LASIK, the flap created in the cornea is repositioned at the end of the procedure, so the epithelium largely stays intact and most patients notice a marked improvement in vision within the first day, with less discomfort overall. Protecting the flap from any knock in these first 24 hours matters a great deal, though — it's cut to a pre-planned thickness with a femtosecond laser and settles into place without stitches, but it's still fully settling in this early period.

What Should You Watch for in the First 24 Hours?

Using the prescribed drops exactly as often as the doctor advises supports healthy healing. Avoid touching or rubbing the eye, and wear the protective eye shield given after Femto LASIK for as long as recommended. Avoiding direct sunlight for long spells and staying away from dusty or smoky places is also generally advised on this first day. Screen use isn't usually restricted, though a break helps if the eyes feel tired. Make-up around the eyes should wait as long as the doctor advises, and it's worth keeping water out of the eyes while showering too. The doctor may also suggest a protective shield or glasses for the first few nights, to reduce the risk of touching the eye while asleep.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Beyond the expected stinging and watering, sudden severe pain, worsening vision, or a clear difference between the two eyes should be reported without delay. Such findings are rare with either method, but catching them early makes any complication easier to manage. Contact the clinic directly rather than waiting for the scheduled visit.

When Is the First Follow-Up Appointment?

With Femto LASIK, the first follow-up is usually the next day, confirming the flap is healing well and vision is progressing as expected. With PRK, follow-up visits are typically scheduled a few times within the first week to monitor epithelial healing closely, and the bandage contact lens is removed at one of these visits. Whichever method is used, keeping to the follow-up schedule is the most reliable way to be sure healing is on track.

When Can You Return to Daily Life?

With both methods, patients usually go home the same day; but going home and being fully back to your routine are different things. Visual comfort tends to return faster with Femto LASIK, so many patients get back to screen-based work fairly soon; with PRK, this can take a little longer until the epithelium has fully healed. Driving is only advised once vision is checked at the first follow-up, not within the first 24 hours. How long this takes varies with the procedure and the patient's pace of healing, so returning to work is worked out individually with the doctor.

The clearest, most personal picture of your own first 24 hours comes from the pre-operative laser suitability assessment, where your doctor explains which method suits you and what to expect.

How Do Laser Eye Surgery Reviews Describe the First Day?

Reviews from people who have had laser eye surgery tend to describe the first hours in similar terms: watering, a gritty feeling as if there is sand in the eye, and sensitivity to light. These are a normal part of healing, and for most patients they ease noticeably within the first day.

Experiences in reviews differ with the method used. After no-touch PRK, the surface layer of the eye has to grow back, so the first days can be more uncomfortable and blurred vision may last several days. People who have had Femto LASIK or SMILE more often report clear vision sooner. This is why a review from someone treated with a different method may not reflect what your own first day will be like.

"A week on, my vision still comes and goes" is a comment seen particularly after PRK. With this method, vision can take weeks to settle fully, and moments of clear and blurred vision alternating during the day are a natural part of that process.

Reviews also share the habits that made recovery harder: rubbing the eyes, missing drops and putting off follow-up appointments. Following your doctor's advice closely in the first 24 hours helps the days that follow go more smoothly.

For more detail on this topic, see Laser Eye Surgery on our laser eye surgery pages, covering PRK, Femto LASIK and SMILE and what recovery looks like with each