One of the biggest myths stopping people from getting LASIK eye surgery is the fear of a long, painful recovery.
“Will I be out of work for weeks?”
“Will I be in pain?”
“Can I drive back to Saskatoon after my surgery?”

The answer to all of these is usually a pleasant surprise. Unlike other surgeries, laser eye surgery recovery is measured in hours, not weeks. Most of our patients at Infinity Vision Laser are back to their normal lives—with better vision than they’ve ever had—by the very next day.

Here is the hour-by-hour breakdown of what you can expect during your corrective eye surgery recovery.

1. Immediately After Surgery (The “Foggy” Phase) 🌫️

Your time in the operating suite is incredibly short (often under 15 minutes). Immediately after the procedure, your vision will be foggy, like looking through a dirty window or underwater. This is normal.

• Sensation: Your eyes may feel gritty, watery, or like there is an eyelash in them as the numbing drops wear off.
• Action: You cannot drive. You will need a friend or family member to drive you home. (For our patients traveling from Saskatoon, we recommend having a driver for the trip back to Regina or staying locally for the night).

2. The First 4–6 Hours (The “Magic Nap”) 😴

Once you get home, the best thing you can do is sleep. We strongly recommend taking a long nap for at least 4 hours.

• Why? Closing your eyes facilitates the initial healing of the corneal flap created by our advanced Ziemer Z8 laser.
• Protection: You will wear clear protective shields to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes while you sleep.

3. The Next Morning (The “Wow” Moment) 😲

This is the moment our patients live for. Most people wake up the morning after LASIK eye surgery with functional, clear vision.

• The Alarm Clock Test: You will likely be able to see your alarm clock or phone notifications without reaching for your glasses.
• Driving: The vast majority of patients test 20/20 or better at their 1-day post-op check-up and are legally cleared to drive immediately. This makes the trip back to see your eye doctor in Saskatoon or Moose Jaw easy and safe.

4. The First Week: Managing Symptoms 💧

While your vision is clear, your eyes are still healing. It is normal to experience:

• Dry Eyes: We will provide you with lubricating drops. Use them frequently!
• Halos & Glare: You might see circles around streetlights at night. This is temporary and usually resolves as corneal swelling subsides.
• Fluctuating Vision: Your vision might be sharper in the morning and blurrier at night. This stabilizes quickly.

5. What You Can (and Can’t) Do 🚫

Recovery is fast, but you need to be smart for a few days to ensure the best laser eye surgery results:

• ✅ Work: Most people return to office jobs within 24–48 hours.
• ✅ Shower: Yes, but keep water and soap out of your eyes.
• ❌ Rubbing: Absolutely no eye rubbing for at least 2 weeks.
• ❌ Swimming/Hot Tubs: Avoid pools and lakes for 2 weeks to prevent infection.
• ❌ Eye Makeup: Pause the mascara and eyeliner for about a week.

6. Convenient for Traveling Patients (Saskatoon & Beyond) 🚗

Because the recovery is so rapid, Infinity Vision is a top choice for those searching for an eye laser clinic near them.

• Day 1: Have your surgery in Regina.
• Day 2: Have your quick follow-up check-up in the morning, then drive yourself home to Saskatoon, Yorkton, or Swift Current.
• Ongoing Care: We can often co-manage your post-op care with your local eye doctor in Saskatoon, saving you from multiple trips.

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