Proper use of eye drops after LASIK is critical to your healing and the quality of your final vision. Here is everything you need to know about post-LASIK eye drop protocols.
Standard Post-LASIK Eye Drop Regimen
- Antibiotic eye drops — Prevent infection. Used 4 times daily for 5–7 days. Common: Moxifloxacin 0.5% or Gatifloxacin 0.3%.
- Steroid eye drops — Reduce inflammation, support healing. Used 4 times daily, tapered over 2–4 weeks. Common: Prednisolone 1%.
- Lubricating / artificial tear drops — The most important long-term drop. Preservative-free artificial tears used every 1–2 hours initially, tapering over 3–6 months.
How Long Do You Need Artificial Tears?
Most patients use preservative-free artificial tears for 3–6 months after LASIK. Dry eye is the most common post-LASIK side effect — lubricating drops resolve this effectively.
Important Rules for Eye Drop Use
- Always wash hands before instilling drops
- Do not let the tip touch your eye or eyelid
- Wait at least 5 minutes between different drops
- Use preservative-free artificial tears — preserved drops can damage healing corneal surface with frequent use
Ready to find out if you qualify? Book your free LASIK evaluation at Centre For Lasik — India’s most trusted eye surgery centre with 20+ years of experience and 1,00,000+ successful procedures. Call +91 96677 70453 or book online today.