How long is laser eye surgery recovery?

Thinking about laser eye surgery but worried about the downtime? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we hear at Elite LASIK & Cataract in Indianapolis is: “How long will it take to recover?”

The good news? For most people, recovery is fast and smooth—often quicker than they expected. But the exact recovery timeline can vary depending on your eyes, your procedure, and how closely you follow aftercare instructions.

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect.

The short answer: Most people are back to normal in a few days

Laser vision correction is outpatient, minimally invasive, and involves very little downtime. You’ll go home the same day—and in many cases, you’ll be able to return to work and normal activities within 1–2 days.

That said, full healing takes a few weeks to months. Your vision may fluctuate during that time as your eyes settle.

Recovery timeline by procedure type

There are three main types of laser eye surgery, and each has a slightly different recovery timeline:

1. LASIK

• Procedure: A thin flap is created in the cornea, and the underlying tissue is reshaped with a laser.
• Initial recovery: 1–2 days
• Back to work: 1–2 days
• Full recovery: 1 month
• Vision improvement: Often within hours; stable in a few days.

2. SMILE

• Procedure: A small disc of tissue (lenticule) is removed through a tiny incision—no flap required.
• Initial recovery: 1–2 days
• Back to work: 1–2 days
• Full recovery: 1 month
• Vision improvement: Steady over 2–3 days; continues to sharpen over a few weeks.

3. PRK

• Procedure: The outer layer of the cornea is gently removed, then reshaped with a laser.
• Initial recovery: 3–5 days
• Back to work: 4–7 days
• Full recovery: 4–6 weeks
• Vision improvement: Gradual over the first few weeks.

PRK takes longer to recover from but is ideal for people with thin corneas or active lifestyles.

What to expect in the first 24 hours

• Mild burning or gritty sensation (like something’s in your eye)
• Sensitivity to light
• Watery eyes
• Slightly blurry or hazy vision
• Urge to nap or rest (which we recommend!)

These symptoms are normal and typically go away by the next day for LASIK or SMILE.

1 week after surgery

• You’ll attend a follow-up appointment to check your healing
• You may be using lubricating eye drops several times a day
• Vision may still fluctuate slightly, especially in low light.

Most people feel confident driving, working, and exercising (gently) within a week.

1 month after surgery

• Your vision should be stable and sharp
• Any dryness or night glare should be improving
• You'll likely reduce or stop using drops (depending on your healing).

We’ll continue to monitor you with follow-up visits to make sure everything is progressing well.

Tips for a smooth recovery

• Don’t rub your eyes (especially during the first week)
• Use your prescribed drops exactly as instructed
• Avoid water in the eyes (pools, hot tubs, lakes) for at least 2 weeks
• Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect from UV light
• Avoid eye makeup for at least 1 week.

And most importantly—contact us if anything feels off.

When will I have perfect vision?

You may notice sharper vision within hours—but "perfect" vision can take days to weeks, depending on the procedure and your eyes. That’s normal.

We’ll guide you through every step until your vision stabilizes.

Ready to take the next step toward clear, glasses-free vision?

Take our quick suitability self-test to see if laser eye surgery is right for you.