LASIK Recovery: What to Expect Hour by Hour and Day by Day

LASIK Recovery: From the Operating Table to 20/20

LASIK recovery is one of the fastest of any surgical procedure. Most patients are functionally visual within hours, driving within days, and fully stabilized within weeks. Here's the hour-by-hour and day-by-day reality, plus specific tips for recovering in Medellín.

Recovering in Medellín: City-Specific Tips

Medellín's moderate climate makes recovery comfortable, but the city's tropical latitude means UV protection is critical. Wear wraparound sunglasses whenever you're outdoors for the first 2 weeks — UV exposure can affect corneal healing. The good news is that Medellín's consistent cloud cover provides natural UV filtering that you wouldn't get in a desert city like Phoenix or a beach destination like Cancún.

Farmatodo pharmacies (open late, multiple locations in El Poblado and Laureles) stock all the eye drops you'll need. Your surgeon will provide prescriptions, but having backup artificial tears is smart — Colombian pharmacies carry major brands like Systane and Refresh without prescription.