How long after laser eye surgery can you see clearly?

One of the most exciting moments after laser eye surgery is opening your eyes and seeing the world without glasses or contact lenses. But how soon does that happen?

The short answer:
It depends on the type of surgery and your own healing process.

In this post, we’ll explain:

• When you can expect to see clearly after LASIK, LASEK, and TransPRK
• What the recovery timeline looks like
• Tips for the best recovery

How quickly does vision improve after LASIK?

For most people, LASIK offers the fastest recovery.

• Many people notice better vision within a few hours
• Vision often sharpens significantly by the next day
• It continues to improve over the first week to month.

You may still experience mild blurriness, halos, or dryness during the first few days, but these usually settle quickly.

What about after LASEK and TransPRK?

With LASEK and TransPRK, the recovery is a bit slower because the surface layer of the eye needs time to heal.

• Expect some blurriness and discomfort for the first 3–5 days
• Vision improves gradually over the first week
• Final sharpness may take a few weeks to fully settle.

Don't worry—this is completely normal! The slower start often leads to excellent, stable results in the long run.

Factors that affect recovery

Everyone heals differently, but some factors can influence how quickly you see clearly:

• Your prescription strength
• Your eye health
• Which procedure did you have
• How closely you follow aftercare instructions.

We’ll give you a personalised recovery plan to help you get the best results.

Tips for a smooth recovery

• Use your eye drops exactly as prescribed
• Rest your eyes, especially for the first 24 hours
• Avoid dusty environments and swimming pools
• Wear sunglasses to protect against bright light
• Come to all your follow-up appointments.

Healing is a partnership—you do your part, and we'll do ours.

Curious about how soon you could be seeing clearly?

Take our self-test today to find out if you're suitable for LASIK, LASEK, or TransPRK!