LASIK surgery can improve your vision, enabling many to see clearly without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Many people wonder how soon they can drive after LASIK. The answer varies from patient to patient, but most are recovered enough after a day or so.

Before driving, it is important that LASIK patients get clearance from their doctor. Dr. Raul Peña provides follow-up appointments to evaluate patient vision and clear them for driving after LASIK surgery. For more information about LASIK and driving, contact our McAllen, TX practice.

Can I Drive Home after LASIK Surgery?

No, patients cannot drive themselves home after LASIK surgery.

Vision is often blurry for a few hours after surgery and the eyes may be extremely sensitive to light immediately following treatment. Additionally, patients may feel the effects of sedation, such as grogginess or drowsiness, after they are released from surgery.

Because of these issues, it is not safe for patients to drive after LASIK surgery and should arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home or anywhere else after surgery.

How Soon after LASIK Can I Drive?

Some patients may be able to drive the day after LASIK, while others may need to wait another day or two. How soon a patient can drive after LASIK is determined during a follow-up appointment.

The follow-up appointment is generally scheduled for the day after LASIK surgery. Although many patients are tempted to drive themselves, it is important to have a friend or family member take them to their follow-up appointment as vision may not be optimal within the first 24 hours of recovery.

During the follow-up appointment, the patient's vision will be evaluated. If vision is clear enough, the patient is generally cleared to drive. If vision isn't quite clear, the patient may be advised to wait another day or so before driving.

Driving at Night May Need to Wait

Some patients experience issues with night vision while they recover from LASIK surgery. Some people have difficulty seeing objects in the dark and bright streetlights, headlights, and traffic signals can cause pain because the eyes may be sensitive to bright light during recovery. Some patients may also see halos around lights at night.

Because it may be difficult to see objects at night, it's important for those who have had LASIK to wait a few days to a week for their eyes to recover before driving at night.

Do I Need a New Driver's License?

Most people who undergo LASIK will have a restriction on their driver's license for corrective lenses. A corrective lens restriction means that contact lenses or eyeglasses must be worn when driving.

After LASIK surgery, corrective lenses are typically not needed as vision has been corrected with surgery. Accordingly, a new driver's license will be needed to have the restriction removed.

In order to have the corrective lens restriction removed, it's necessary to take paperwork from your doctor to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) advising that you no longer need corrective lenses. A minor vision test may be given and upon passing the DMV's vision test, you will be issued a new driver's license free of the corrective lens restriction.

Find out If LASIK Is Right for You

If you are tired of wearing contacts or glasses, LASIK may be right for you. To find out if you're a candidate for LASIK, or to learn more about LASIK treatment, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peña by calling (956) 661-8733 or (956) 264-1200.