1. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

This is the number one no-no after SMILE surgery. The tiny incision made during the procedure is delicate in the early healing stages. Rubbing your eyes could disrupt this healing process and increase the risk of infection or discomfort.

How to Resist the Urge

We all instinctively rub our eyes, so breaking this habit takes effort. Here are a few tips:

• Use artificial tears if your eyes feel gritty or dry.
• Gently pat around your eyes with a tissue if you feel irritated.
• Remind yourself that the itch will pass.

Doctor’s Note: “A patient once told me she set reminders on her phone every hour saying, ‘Don’t rub your eyes!’ It worked wonders for her recovery.”

2. Avoid Exposure to Dust and Pollutants

Your eyes are more vulnerable to infections after the surgery, and dust or pollutants can irritate them or introduce bacteria. Avoid environments where debris or particles could make their way into your eyes, like construction sites or smoky areas, for at least the first two weeks.

How to Protect Your Eyes

• Wear sunglasses, even indoors if there’s dust or smoke in your surroundings.
• Stay indoors on particularly windy or dusty days.
• If you work in a dusty job, ask your employer if you can take a few extra days off or work remotely.

Quick Tip: Keep an air purifier running at home to reduce airborne irritants.

3. Stay Away from Water Activities

Water feels harmless, but it can harbour bacteria that could lead to infections during your recovery. This includes swimming, hot tubs, and even shower water getting directly into your eyes.

How Long Should You Avoid Water?

• Swimming in pools, rivers, or oceans should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.
• Hot tubs or jacuzzis pose an even higher risk and should be kept off-limits for a month.
• Be cautious while showering to ensure water doesn’t run directly into your eyes.

Doctor’s Insight: “I always advise patients to keep their heads tilted back during showers initially. A patient once told me she bought a shower visor (designed for kids!) to make it easier.”

4. Avoid Strenuous Activities or Sports

It might be tempting to jump back into your workout routine, especially if you’re feeling fine, but your eyes aren’t ready for heavy exertion yet. Strenuous activities elevate your blood pressure, which can affect the healing process.

How Long Should You Wait?

• Light activities like walking? Fine after a couple of days.
• High-impact workouts like running or aerobics? Wait at least 2 weeks.
• Contact sports like basketball or boxing? Hold off for at least 4 weeks and consider wearing protective eyewear when you return.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about an activity, go for the “when in doubt, wait” rule.

5. Skip Eye Makeup

Makeup products, particularly around the eyes, can easily present an infection risk due to contamination. Avoid wearing eye makeup like mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow for the first week post-surgery. Even once it’s safe to reapply makeup, consider buying new products to reduce the risk of bacterial transfer.

Pro Hygiene Tips

• Wash your hands thoroughly before applying skincare or makeup around your face.
• Replace all open mascara, eyeliners, and brushes before resuming use.

Doctor’s Warning: “I had a patient who used an old makeup sponge just one week after surgery. She developed an infection and had to delay her recovery by a month. Don’t cut corners when it comes to hygiene!”

6. Take Breaks from Screens

Between work, social media, and binge-watching, it’s nearly impossible to escape screens nowadays. However, excessive screen time can strain your healing eyes, causing dryness and delayed recovery.

Manage Screen Time

• Avoid screens for at least the first day after surgery.
• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule after that: Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away.
• Use blue-light-blocking glasses to reduce strain if absolutely necessary.

7. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol

Both smoking and alcohol can slow the healing process:

• Smoking: The smoke and toxins irritate the eyes and increase the risk of infections.
• Alcohol: It can dehydrate your body, leading to dryness in your eyes.

How Long Should You Wait?

• Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours after surgery.
• Quit smoking permanently, if possible. If not, try to abstain for the first few weeks.

Life Advice Tip: Use this opportunity as a motivating factor to break free from smoking altogether. It benefits not only your eyes but your overall health.

8. Delay Driving

Your eyes may not be stable enough for driving in the first few days after surgery. Depth perception, night vision, and sensitivity to light can all be temporarily affected.

When Can I Drive?

• Most patients can drive after 2-3 days, but it depends on individual recovery.
• Always confirm with your doctor before getting behind the wheel.

9. Don’t Skip Follow-Up Appointments

Your aftercare doesn’t end when you leave the surgery clinic. Regular check-ups with your surgeon are vital to monitor healing and ensure everything is progressing as expected.

Follow-Up Schedule

• Most surgeons schedule the first follow-up within 24-48 hours after surgery.
• Subsequent visits may occur 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months later.

Final Doctor’s Note: “Follow-up appointments give us a chance to catch and address potential issues early. Remember, we’re only a call away if you have concerns.”