If you are planning to get Orange County LASIK surgery, you must prepare for the recovery process during spring. Blossoming flowers and warmer weather mark the start of springtime. Unfortunately, it is also known as peak allergy season. Higher pollen levels and an influx of allergens can make healing after LASIK difficult. With the right tips, you can feel confident about undergoing surgery and recovering in an efficient and timely manner.
The Significance of Allergy Management
Do you want to have the best LASIK eye surgery recovery period? Allergy management is of utmost importance. Here are three ways you can stay on top of your allergies:
- Monitor pollen levels: Do you know about the pollen counts in your city? It is important to check the weather forecast routinely. If you notice incoming high pollen days, you should be cautious and try to reduce your exposure to the outside during this time.
- Take the appropriate allergy medications: If you are susceptible to seasonal allergies, you will benefit from taking over-the-counter allergy medications. You should also consult your primary care doctor to determine if you need a particular prescription. Your doctor may recommend antihistamines, decongestants, or even steroid nasal sprays to manage your allergy symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. Before you decide to buy over-the-counter eye drops, make sure you discuss options with an eye doctor.
- Shut the windows and doors: You can stave off pollen and other irritants by shutting the windows and doors of your living space. Consider turning on air conditioning to keep the temperature at a level you are most comfortable with inside.
Keep Your Environment Healthy
Another critical aspect of protecting your eyes after surgery is maintaining a healthy and clean environment. Here are three factors to keep in mind:
- Tidying up your living space: You should vacuum and dust your living space on a routine basis if you want to avoid pesky irritants. Swap out your air filters so you can maintain clean air ventilation. Many people rely on air purifiers to promote healthy air circulation.
- Regularly washing your hands: It is essential to consistently wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes whenever possible. Touching your eyes, especially when your hands are unclean, can hinder the recovery process.
- Alternating clothes and showering: After performing activities outside, take off your dirty clothes and shower yourself so you can get rid of pollen that may have attached to parts of your body, such as your hair, skin, and clothes.
Shield Your Eyes from Irritants
When it comes to protecting your eyes during peak allergy season, there are three rules to follow:
- Make use of sunglasses: The most practical way to protect your eyes from airborne allergens, harsh sunlight, and the wind is by wearing sunglasses as you spend time outdoors. You may even want to consider wearing wrap-around sunglasses for extra protection.
- Try medically-approved eye drops: Consider asking your doctor for preservative-free lubricating eye drops you can use to soothe and moisturize your eyes during post-operative recovery. Eye drops can be especially helpful if you struggle with dry eye symptoms.
- Steer clear of eye makeup: You will want to avoid wearing eye makeup during the first few weeks of your healing period. Eye makeup like mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow can attract allergens and bacteria, leading to eye infections, irritation, and discomfort.
Talk to an Orange County LASIK Surgeon
Ensure a professional LASIK surgeon answers all your questions concerning the recovery process during consultation. You will also need to stay in touch with your surgeon with a standard follow-up appointment so they can monitor your progress. If you experience any issues in recovery, your doctor can offer advice and edit your post-operation treatment plan due to allergies.
Conclusion
Healing from Orange County LASIK surgery amidst allergy season can be challenging, but with the proper aftercare plan, you can expect a smooth recovery. Most importantly, you will need to focus on allergy management, keep a clean environment, shield your eyes from irritants, and keep an open channel of communication with your doctors. Are you reading to book your first free consultation with Excel Laser Vision Institute? If so, call (310)905-8622 for more information.
