How Soon After LASIK Can I Apply Makeup?

    CHICAGO, IL, January 28, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- There are some restrictions following LASIK surgery that are in place to help minimize complications and enhance your surgical results. For example, contact and watersports should be avoided, getting water directly in your eye should be avoided, and applying a towel or washcloth directly to your eyes should be avoided. Wearing makeup should also be avoided immediately following LASIK surgery. All of these things should be abstained from for different lengths of time. Your eye doctor will discuss when it is appropriate for you to engage in these activities again after your LASIK procedure.

Makeup After LASIK
Most doctors recommend that patients refrain from wearing any sort of makeup for at least three days following surgery. For eye makeup, this time is generally extended for two to three weeks. Reasons for this include:

- Eye makeup can end up in your eye which can cause infection
- An eye makeup applicator can poke your eye, causing infection or discomfort
- Fingers can transfer bacteria to the eye

For these reasons and more, most doctors will not only recommend eye makeup be avoided postoperatively, but also at least three days prior to surgery. Your cornea needs to be in its natural state when you undergo LASIK surgery. Any damage to your cornea or irritation prior to surgery can dramatically impact your results.

Follow Up With Your LASIK Surgeon
LASIK has the ability to provide you with freedom from prescription eyewear. When you carefully follow your doctor's pre- and post-surgical advice, you increase your chances of a successful outcome. Most LASIK surgeries are free of complications, but ignoring your doctor's advice is one of the largest contributing factors to increasing risks.

You want to make sure you are working with a professional and experienced eye surgeon when you choose to have LASIK surgery. Your doctor should work closely with you to help you better understand what steps will be necessary before and after your surgery to help ensure optimal results. Not wearing eye makeup is one step your doctor will recommend. Following this and all other instructions from your doctor will help make sure you are able to enjoy a life free of cumbersome eyewear, and minimize your risks for LASIK complications.

If you live in or around Arlington Heights or Chicago, Illinois and would like to learn more about what you should and should not do prior to and following LASIK surgery, please visit the website of Doctors for Visual Freedom for additional information at www.doctorsforvisualfreedom.com.

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