Rubbing your eyes after LASIK can cause corneal flap displacement or injury, which may lead to blurry vision or infection. For those who often rub their eyes, techniques such as PRK and SMILE are generally safer because they do not create a corneal flap, minimizing risks and promoting better recovery. After surgery, patients should avoid rubbing their eyes, refrain from eye makeup, prevent water from entering the eyes, and wear protective eyewear to avoid irritation. Frequent eye rubbing is a habit that should be avoided—especially if you’ve had or are planning to undergo LASIK. Besides causing irritation, it can increase the risk of severe complications. If you wish to correct your vision safely, choosing the right LASIK technique for your habits and following proper aftercare is essential for long-lasting, safe results.   Why Rubbing Your Eyes After LASIK Can Be Dangerous Rubbing your eyes—particularly during the recovery period—can cause serious damage. Each LASIK technique involves different healing mechanisms, and eye rubbing can disrupt them in various ways: After traditional LASIK:LASIK involves creating a corneal flap. Excessive rubbing can cause the flap to shift, fold, or detach, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate correction. It may also lead to infection or blurry vision. After PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy):Although PRK doesn’t create a flap, the outer corneal surface is removed during surgery. Rubbing your eyes may delay healing, cause infection, or lead to scarring. Corneal Ectasia (Keratoconus):People who rub their eyes frequently are at higher risk of keratoconus—a condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward. This can make certain types of LASIK unsuitable or worsen the condition after surgery. Best LASIK Techniques for People Who Rub Their Eyes Often If you tend to rub your eyes, consulting an ophthalmologist to evaluate your eye health and select a non-flap or minimally invasive technique is the safest approach. Recommended techniques include: PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) / TransPRK This method reshapes the corneal surface using a laser without creating a flap. It’s safer for frequent eye rubbers since there’s no flap that can shift. The cornea also remains structurally stronger post-surgery.However, recovery takes longer—patients may feel discomfort or blurred vision for 3–5 days, and vision stabilizes more slowly than with LASIK.PRK is ideal for those with thin corneas, athletes, or people prone to eye rubbing—provided they follow postoperative care instructions closely. ReLEx SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) This technique removes a small lenticule of corneal tissue through a 2–4 mm incision, avoiding flap creation. The small incision allows faster recovery and reduces the risk of flap displacement.However, it can’t correct long-sightedness and has certain limits on prescription range. SMILE is suitable for patients with mild to moderate myopia or astigmatism, or for those who want a fast recovery and minimal risk even if they accidentally rub their eyes. NanoReLEx® NanoReLEx® uses advanced nanosecond-level laser energy to reshape the cornea with high precision. The procedure calculates a 3D lenticule customized to the patient’s prescription, which is removed through a 2–3 mm incision.Because it uses low-energy pulses, it causes minimal disturbance to corneal tissue, leading to faster healing and less dryness. The tiny incision helps maintain corneal strength and shape after surgery. SMILE Pro® SMILE Pro® is the most advanced laser vision-correction technology available today. Using the Carl Zeiss VisuMax 800 laser, it completes treatment in only 8 seconds per eye with exceptional accuracy and comfort.It offers superior precision and faster recovery compared to older SMILE versions, making it ideal for patients with higher prescriptions or sensitive eyes. Post-LASIK Precautions for People Who Rub Their Eyes Frequently If you tend to rub your eyes, following postoperative care instructions is critical to ensure proper healing and prevent complications. 1. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes Excessive pressure can dislodge or damage the corneal flap and compromise your results. Learn to control the urge to rub your eyes before and after surgery to preserve long-term vision quality. 2. Use Prescribed Eye Drops If dryness or itchiness causes you to rub your eyes, consult your doctor for lubricating or anti-allergy drops. These reduce irritation, keep eyes moist, and make recovery smoother. 3. Wear Protective Glasses During the first week, wear glasses to shield your eyes from wind, dust, and bright light. They also act as a physical reminder to avoid touching your eyes. 4. Clean Your Eyes Gently Follow your doctor’s cleaning instructions carefully. Avoid rubbing while cleaning—use sterile saline or a clean damp cloth to gently wipe around the eyes to prevent infection and support healing. 5. See Your Doctor Immediately if Symptoms Occur If you accidentally rub your eyes hard or notice pain, redness, tearing, blurriness, or abnormal dryness, see your ophthalmologist right away. These could indicate complications such as flap displacement or infection.Also, minimize screen time and rest your eyes frequently to reduce dryness and fatigue during recovery. Summary For people who rub their eyes often, choosing the right LASIK technique is crucial to minimize complications such as flap displacement or corneal weakening.Non-flap or minimally invasive options like PRK or SMILE are safer and allow faster recovery while maintaining corneal strength. At Bangkok Eye Hospital, our experienced ophthalmologists use advanced diagnostic tools to recommend the most suitable LASIK technique based on your eye condition and lifestyle. We provide personalized care and post-LASIK guidance to ensure optimal results and safe, long-term vision improvement. FAQ: LASIK for People Who Rub Their Eyes Frequently Can I still get LASIK if I rub my eyes often? Yes, but with extra caution. Your doctor will assess your eye condition and habits. If you can control your eye-rubbing post-surgery, LASIK can still be performed safely. Otherwise, a non-flap procedure like PRK or SMILE may be recommended. How can I stop rubbing my eyes? Use lubricating or anti-allergy eye drops to relieve dryness and itching. Protect your eyes from dust and wind with glasses, and be mindful of your behavior to break the habit gradually. What should I do if I accidentally rub my eyes after LASIK?   If you rub your eyes hard (especially within the first 1–3 months) and experience pain, blurred or double vision, or a foreign-body sensation, visit your ophthalmologist immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe damage and restore clear vision.  

Can You Become Nearsighted Again After LASIK? It is possible to become nearsighted again after LASIK if your vision was not yet stable before the surgery or due to a condition called regression.Common causes include natural changes in vision, individual healing responses, unstable vision prior to surgery, high myopia, or underlying health conditions. When nearsightedness returns after LASIK, possible treatments include enhancement surgery (re-LASIK) if the cornea is thick enough, wearing glasses or contact lenses, or in some cases, considering ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) implantation as an alternative. Many people who experience vision regression after LASIK may feel disappointed — especially after initially enjoying clear vision. This situation often raises concerns and questions such as: Why did my vision change? Do I need another LASIK? Are there other options?This article explores the possible causes of recurrent myopia after LASIK, the available solutions, and key things to know before deciding on further treatment. Can You Become Nearsighted Again After LASIK? Recurrence of nearsightedness after LASIK is uncommon and usually not serious.Think of it like a healing wound — each person heals differently, even from an identical cut. Similarly, the corneal healing process varies from person to person. In most cases, patients do not experience significant regression. However, for individuals with very high myopia (over -8.00 D) or high astigmatism (over 2.00 D), a mild degree of myopia may return over time — typically around -1.00 D within ten years. This slight regression rarely affects daily life and often still provides better vision than before surgery with glasses. Interestingly, mild nearsightedness that reappears after the age of 40 can even be beneficial, as it helps with near vision (e.g., reading or using a phone) without relying heavily on reading glasses.In general, LASIK results are long-lasting, though natural changes in vision due to aging may still occur over time. Why Can Vision Become Nearsighted Again After LASIK? Regression after LASIK does not necessarily mean the surgery failed. It can occur due to several factors that influence visual stability: 1. Natural Changes in Vision If LASIK is performed before vision stabilizes, refractive changes may continue afterward.This is especially common in younger patients or those with ongoing vision changes.For this reason, doctors typically recommend waiting until vision has been stable for at least 1–2 years before undergoing LASIK. 2. Individual Healing Response Each person’s cornea heals differently. Some may develop epithelial hyperplasia (overgrowth of corneal cells) or subtle biomechanical changes that alter corneal curvature, leading to mild regression. Healing patterns and tissue responses are highly individual. 3. Inaccurate Preoperative Assessment If the initial measurement or laser calibration was slightly off, the correction may not be perfect, leading to residual myopia later.Accurate preoperative evaluation is therefore crucial to ensure precise and lasting outcomes. 4. Severe Myopia Before Surgery Patients with very high myopia require more corneal tissue removal during LASIK, which can increase the likelihood of long-term regression.In such cases, alternative procedures like PRK or ICL implantation may be more suitable to ensure safety and long-term stability. 5. Other Contributing Factors Additional factors that may influence post-LASIK vision include: Pregnancy or breastfeeding, due to hormonal changes that affect vision Chronic diseases such as diabetes with poor sugar control Certain medications, such as corticosteroids or antidepressants, which can impact visual stability How to Care for Your Eyes After LASIK Proper post-operative care is essential to maintain long-term vision results and prevent regression. Below are key recommendations: First Night After LASIK Get adequate rest but avoid touching or rubbing the eyes. Use protective eye shields as instructed by your doctor and do not remove them unless advised. If tears accumulate, gently blot around the shield without touching the eyes. Avoid washing your face with water; use a clean cloth instead. You may shower and brush your teeth, but keep water away from your eyes. First Week After LASIK Use prescribed antibiotic drops and artificial tears as directed. Always wear the protective eye shield when sleeping. Avoid getting dust or water in the eyes and refrain from rubbing them. Avoid makeup around the eyes for at least two weeks. Wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce glare and dryness. After one week, your doctor will usually allow normal face washing and hair washing. Swimming is typically safe after two weeks. What Are the Treatment Options If Myopia Returns After LASIK? If regression occurs, an ophthalmologist will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the cause and recommend the most suitable approach: Glasses or Contact Lenses The simplest and safest option for mild regression. It avoids surgical risks and allows easy adjustment as vision changes over time. Re-LASIK (Enhancement) If the cornea remains sufficiently thick and healthy, an enhancement LASIK can be performed.The surgeon reopens or recreates the flap and uses a laser to fine-tune the correction.However, additional LASIK carries risks such as increased dryness or corneal thinning, so detailed evaluation is essential. PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Recommended for patients with thin corneas or when flap re-lifting is not feasible.PRK removes the corneal surface directly, but recovery takes longer and may involve temporary discomfort. ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) An alternative for those with very high myopia or thin corneas.A specialized lens is implanted inside the eye to correct vision without reshaping the cornea.It is a more complex and costly procedure but can be a safe and effective long-term solution. Summary While LASIK is highly effective in correcting nearsightedness, mild regression can occur due to natural eye changes or individual healing differences.Accurate preoperative assessment and advanced surgical technology are key to achieving precise, lasting results. Bangkok Eye Hospital uses cutting-edge equipment and experienced specialists to ensure safe, reliable outcomes and minimize the risk of vision regression — delivering lasting clarity and confidence to every patient. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is repeat LASIK safe?Yes, enhancement LASIK is generally safe if the cornea is thick enough and the doctor confirms suitability. When should I see a doctor if my vision worsens again?If you notice blurred vision or your eyesight seems to revert to pre-LASIK levels, consult a refractive surgery specialist promptly. Can I prevent vision regression after LASIK?While not always preventable, you can reduce the risk by ensuring your vision is stable for 1–2 years before surgery, choosing an experienced surgeon and reputable facility, and following all postoperative care instructions — including adequate rest and avoiding excessive eye strain.