If you are considering Lasik surgery to correct your vision, your eye doctor will explain the procedure to you, including what you need to do pre-operatively and post-operatively. While these instructions will probably be extensive, there may be a few things that may not be included. Here are three things that should be avoided after undergoing Lasik surgery to help ensure that your recovery period is uneventful:

Antihistamines

If you suffer from allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, or sneezing, you may be tempted to reach for an over-the-counter antihistamine. While these medications will help keep you comfortable, they should be avoided both before and after your Lasik procedure.

Not only do antihistamines such as diphenhydramine dry up nasal secretions, they also slow the production of tears in your eyes, leading to excessive dryness. This may be problematic during the healing stages because when your eyes lose moisture, your surgical site may be slow to heal. If you feel that you need to take medication for your allergies after your eye surgery, talk to your physician, who can recommend a different type of medication that is less likely to cause ocular dryness. 

Smoking

Smoking cigarettes can harm your capillaries, including the small capillaries inside your eyes. Capillary damage can cause poor circulation and sluggish blood flow to your surgical site and slow down the healing process. Try quitting smoking before your Lasik surgery, but if you are unable to stop, at least cut down after the procedure.

Doing so will help maintain optimal circulation inside your eye so that it will be well oxygenated and healthy. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor, who can recommend effective smoking cessation methods such as oral medications, dermal patches, nicotine replacement chewing gum, or hospital-based support groups. 

Eye Drops

Many people use eye drops to help eliminate redness and irritation. While these eye drops are generally considered safe when used per the labeling instructions, they may delay healing after Lasik surgery. Redness-reducing eye drops can constrict your ocular blood vessels which may diminish blood flow to the surgical area.

Before using eye drops, ointments, or gels, talk to your eye care professional prior to your Lasik appointment. Not only might over-the-counter eye drops cause vasoconstriction of your ocular blood vessels, they may also interfere with the eye medications that your surgeon prescribes after your surgery.

If you are considering Lasik surgery, talk to an eye doctor at clinics like the Eye Center Inc about antihistamine use, smoking, and eye drops. Avoiding these things can help ensure that you heal properly after your procedure so that your vision will be crystal clear. 

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