Contributed by Harleen Kaur
Introduction
Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, also known as LASIK, is a common operation used to cure vision issues including poor eyesight. One of the most well-known procedures, LASIK involves reshaping the cornea (the transparent front section of the eye) to ensure that light is properly reflected onto the retina. Nowadays, many people choose LASIK to avoid wearing eyeglasses and corrective lenses.
Those thinking about LASIK must follow a strict set of instructions in order to accelerate healing and avoid any further complications. What we eat also has a huge impact on how quickly we heal from eye surgery.
This article helps you to address what you should eat and what you shouldn’t after LASIK surgery.
Foods to eat after surgery
Vitamins A, E and C in particular are well known for their advantages to the health of your eyes. Vitamin-rich foods help in accelerating your recovery. The risk of developing cataracts can also be reduced by vitamins. They also help delay the ageing process of the eyes.
Here are some foods high in vitamins that you may include in your diet:
- Orange fruits
- White potatoes
- Green leafy vegetables
- Dairy
- Berries
Carrots
As we all know, carrots are good for the health of our eyes as it is very advantageous after LASIK. Beta-carotene, which gives carrots their orange colour particularly helps in the smooth operation of the retina and other eye components. Carotenoids, vitamins A and C, and carrots are all high in antioxidants that support eye health.
Carbohydrates
Many of you might find this surprising, people generally are averse to carbohydrates. However, carbohydrates give our body enough energy and help in the body’s repair capacity after any surgery. Following LASIK surgery, you should have these nutritious carbs:
- Bananas
- Oats
- Buckwheat
- Whole Wheat
Eggs
If you enjoy eggs, you should include them in your diet after a LASIK surgery. A wonderful source of proteins and healthful fats is eggs. Additionally, it is recommended to also include egg yolk in your diet as it has significant amounts of zinc, vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin, all of which are necessary for sustaining long-term vision wellness.
The food you should avoid after LASIK
Fried food
Fried food contains large amounts of oil, which is harmful to every part of your body. Additionally, even foods that may be healthy for the body, are totally devoid of nutrients when they are fried. They become unhealthy and essentially useless to the body as a result. The fats in these processed meals are bad for your eyes and can cause eye problems. According to studies, bad fats found in these foods, salt and sugar, impair blood flow to the eyes and have a negative impact on the health of the body’s organs and circulatory system.
Sugar is a substance that promotes inflammation but, in some patients, results in high glycemia, or high blood sugar. Your entire body, including your eyes, is vulnerable to inflammation and excessive blood sugar. Your eye lenses will enlarge, as a result of having high blood sugar, which can lead to issues like blurry vision.
Final thoughts
Eating nutrients that encourage tissue regeneration and wound healing is crucial after LASIK. Among the best possibilities are chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. Many fish include omega-3 fatty acids, which may also help lessen dry eyes.
Additionally, because your eyes are still healing after LASIK surgery, it is advised that you take it easy and expect to be particularly sensitive during the first 24 hours. The minimum amount of time you should wait before using your phone, computer, tablet, or watching television is 24 hours.
When outdoors, wear a hat and sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun. Always carry eye drops with you to prevent dry eye problems. Instead of taking a shower, think about taking a bath. Paying special care to the region around your eyes by avoiding smoking and applying makeup on your eyes.
