Your Personal Guide for Refractive Surgery Day

Anaesthesia depends on the technique and clinical circumstances. Anaesthetic eye drops are commonly used; you may notice pressure or touch, and you should tell the clinical team if you feel pain.

The clinical team will explain where to look and uses an instrument to keep the eyelids open. Laser platforms include eye-tracking safety systems; if movement is relevant, the surgeon can pause and reposition you.

The time depends on the technique, preparation and postoperative checks. Your centre will tell you how long to allow for the full visit, not only the procedure itself.

Recovery differs by technique and by patient. With LASIK or ICL, improvement is often noticed during the first few days; after PRK, vision is usually more blurred and improves gradually over days to weeks. Final stability and permission to resume activities are assessed at follow-up.

It is often helpful to rest and limit screen use on the first day, following the instructions from your centre. Afterwards, screens can usually be resumed gradually as comfort allows, using prescribed lubrication if indicated.

Grittiness or tearing can occur after some techniques, especially during the first hours or days. Do not rub your eyes, follow the prescribed drops and seek advice if symptoms are intense or worsening.

Medically: you must not drive on the day of surgery. We will confirm at your first follow-up (usually within a few days) that your vision is adequate to drive safely. Legally (Spain): the Highway Code requires waiting approximately one month after refractive surgery (three months for professional drivers) to renew or obtain a licence, submitting a surgical report. The licence is then issued with a maximum one-year validity for the first year. Additionally, if your current licence states you must wear glasses or lenses and you no longer need them after surgery, you must update it at the Jefatura de Tráfico (until you do, the condition on the licence still legally applies).

Office work: 24–48 hours. Light sport: 3–4 days. Contact sport or swimming: you will need to wait at least 2 weeks to avoid impact or infection.

The surgery permanently reshapes the cornea to correct your current prescription. However, the eye is a living organ and presbyopia (reading glasses) will develop naturally with age, a process independent of your myopia or astigmatism correction.