Although you'll heal quickly after LASIK eye surgery, you will need to take some eye care precautions after your procedure. Your doctor should give you specific instructions after surgery, but here is what you can expect.

Right after the procedure is over, rest with your eyes closed as much as possible. This is not the time to go right back to work. You need to be very cautious during the first few hours, so you should avoid any activities that put you at risk for something touching, rubbing or poking your eyes. And you shouldn’t drive until your vision improves. Ask a friend to drive you home from the doctor’s office.

Even though most patients report having better vision after just a few days and you can get back to normal activities soon, your vision may be blurry or hazy on day one. You might experience a mild burning or other strange sensations. If you do, you must avoid rubbing your eyes. Your eyes will be very dry after surgery, and your doctor will give you special eye drops to keep your eyes moist and to prevent infection. It’s important that you use these eye drops, even if they cause slight discomfort when you put them in. If you have any other adverse side effects, you should call your doctor right away.

You should avoid showering for the first day or two to make sure you keep any soap and water out of your eyes. For two weeks after surgery, you should avoid swimming, hot tubs and whirlpools. At night, doctors often recommend that you wear a soft protective eye mask so that you don’t inadvertently touch your eyes or allow anything to bump or rub them as you sleep. Otherwise, as long as you keep your eyes lubricated with prescription drops or artificial tears, you should be reading, using a computer and watching TV in no time.