Drinking Alcohol After LASIK: When Is It Safe?

One of the benefits of LASIK is that the recovery is often quick. Most patients are back to their everyday routine within 24 hours. There aren’t a lot of restrictions on when you can resume normal activities, including consuming alcohol.

When you have a vision correction procedure at Greenberg LASIK in Louisville and Indianapolis, our team will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. This will include guidelines for when you can resume specific activities. Here’s what you should know about drinking alcohol after LASIK.

When Can You Drink After LASIK?

In general, we recommend that you wait at least 24 hours after your procedure before consuming alcohol – and for good reason. It’s normal for your eyes to feel dry and sore after LASIK, especially in the first few hours. These symptoms should quickly improve as your eyes heal. But consuming alcohol can interfere with the healing process, as it can cause dehydration.

Alcohol can specifically dehydrate the eyes by increasing fluid loss from the body, leading to reduced tear production and dryness. Dry eyes are uncomfortable and can feel like a persistent gritty or burning sensation, accompanied by redness, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

Though dry eye symptoms are typically normal and temporary while recovering from LASIK (and can be managed through a variety of methods, like eye drops), consuming alcohol can exacerbate them, causing further discomfort. That’s why it’s recommended to avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours post-LASIK when dry eye symptoms are the most likely to occur.

What’s The Recovery From LASIK Like?

Though you may be in some discomfort after LASIK, particularly if you have dry eye symptoms, this isn’t the case for everyone. Many of our patients are surprised by how relatively quick and easy the recovery is. Some patients don’t experience dry eye symptoms at all.

Following your procedure, you’ll be instructed to go home and relax for the rest of the day. We’ll give you detailed instructions for how to care for your eyes post-LASIK, including an eye drop schedule, which you should follow closely to promote quick and efficient healing.

We’ll also schedule you to come in for a post-operative consultation the following day to assess how your eyes are healing and for you to ask any questions related to your recovery. By the 24-hour mark, you should be able to participate in many of your normal, everyday activities. You’ll be advised to follow the activity schedule in the coming weeks to ensure your eyes continue healing as expected.

With a typically fast recovery, there’s no need to pause your life for clearer vision. By freeing you from glasses and contacts, LASIK can transform your life, offering you more convenience and control. Plus, it’s been proven to save money in the long run. Use our savings calculator to see for yourself!

LASIK is a lasting solution to nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and most people are excellent candidates. At Greenberg todayLASIK, we offer free consultations to confirm your eligibility and recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your needs. Schedule a free consult today to get on the path to clearer vision.