The recovery period of LASEK laser eye surgery (2025)

Written by ID Eye Clinic

2025.02.20

In modern life, electronic devices like smartphones, TVs, and tablets have enhanced our quality of life. However, extended exposure to these devices has led to vision problems, causing many people to consider the use of glasses or contact lenses.

But using these tools often comes with the inconvenience of maintenance. For example, wearing glasses may cause discomfort around the ears, or long hours of wearing contact lenses may lead to dry eyes. These discomforts can be greater than expected, prompting many to consider vision correction surgery. The biggest question at this point is likely whether they can quickly return to their daily routine after the surgery.

Difference in Recovery Time Between LASIK and LASEK

People considering vision correction surgery come from various age groups and professions, and despite differences in their lifestyles, most prefer a quicker return to their daily routine, which reduces the burden. As a result, they often think about ways to shorten the recovery period. In the past, recovery from LASIK typically took about 2 to 3 days, while recovery from LASEK took an average of 5 to 7 days, leading to the perception that the recovery period for these surgeries was relatively long.

LASEK with a Short Recovery Time

As more people seek vision correction methods that can shorten the recovery period, research has continued to focus on reducing recovery time and pain, leading to the development of techniques like Save LASEK and 2Day LASEK. These methods offer distinct advantages, but both utilize the 1-step All-Laser process to remove the corneal epithelium, addressing concerns about the longer recovery time associated with traditional LASEK.

Both Save LASIK and 2Day LASIK use laser technology for most of the process, allowing for simultaneous corneal epithelium removal and stroma treatment. This reduces the drying time of the cornea and minimizes tissue damage, resulting in greater stability and a faster recovery period, which is a significant advantage.

The Popularity of SAIV LASEK and 2Day LASEK

If the recovery period for traditional LASEK was around 5 to 7 days, both SAIV LASEK and 2Day LASEK have reduced the area of corneal epithelial damage by about 40%, allowing for a return to daily activities within an average of 2 days.

This reduced recovery time has made SAIV LASEK and 2Day LASEK highly favored among modern individuals. With the recovery period shortened to just 2 days, office workers can minimize disruptions to their work, and they can quickly resume daily activities like washing their face and exercising, making these options ideal for busy people looking for a faster return to their routines.

Advantages of SAIV LASEK and 2Day LASEK

By reducing physical damage and minimizing the amount of tissue removed, SAIV LASEK and 2Day LASEK prevent excessive corneal thinning.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a residual corneal thickness of at least 350µm after LASEK surgery. However, SAIV LASEK and 2Day LASEK are planned and executed to ensure that a residual corneal thickness of 400 to 430µm or more is left. This approach helps to reduce the likelihood of post-surgical side effects such as glare, dry eyes, keratoconus, and myopic regression.

Along with methods to shorten the LASEK recovery period, the most important factor is choosing the right clinic. To find the most suitable procedure, using deep data screening systems and comparing long-term data will help minimize side effects like dry eyes, night glare, and myopic regression, leading to high-quality vision correction.

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