Laser refractive surgeries such as Lasik, Femto Lasik, and Smile correct myopia and reduce dependence on glasses. Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang, a Specialist Doctor I at Tam Anh High-Tech Eye Center, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, states that treatment outcomes depend not only on the surgical technique but also on post-operative eye care, with avoiding eye rubbing being a strictly observed principle.

For Lasik and Femto Lasik procedures, doctors create a thin corneal flap, use a laser to reshape the cornea, and then reposition the flap. Although the corneal flap adheres naturally quite quickly, the healing process continues for many weeks, even months, afterward. The period immediately after surgery is when the corneal flap is most vulnerable. If you rub your eyes, especially vigorously, it can create mechanical pressure that displaces, wrinkles, or shifts the corneal flap from its position. This can affect vision quality and, in some cases, may require re-operation.

According to Dr. Giang, the corneal flap adheres more firmly after about one week and continues to stabilize over several months. However, even after the eyes have recovered, individuals who have undergone refractive surgery should still avoid rubbing their eyes, as it is a risk factor for various corneal conditions.

Doctors performing myopia surgery for a patient using Smile Pro technology. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Even with the Smile procedure, which does not create a corneal flap but instead makes a very small incision to remove internal corneal tissue, patients should still not rub their eyes after surgery. The reason is that the cornea is in a healing process, and rubbing the eyes can distort the corneal structure, prolong healing time, cause pain and discomfort, and affect vision quality.

Rubbing your eyes not only increases the risk of corneal damage but also readily causes infection. Hands carry numerous bacteria and viruses, and touching the eyes while the cornea is still recovering can lead to post-operative keratitis. Thanks to strict sterile procedures and prophylactic medication, this complication is rare. However, if it occurs and is not treated promptly, patients may develop corneal scarring and long-term vision loss.

In the initial days after surgery, patients may experience grittiness, dry eyes, tearing, or light sensitivity as the cornea recovers. Instead of rubbing your eyes, you should use artificial tears and prescribed medication, wear protective glasses when outdoors, avoid dust, and limit foreign objects from contacting your eyes. If you experience increasing pain, significant eye redness, sudden vision loss, or excessive discharge, you should visit an eye specialist promptly for examination.

Hoang Duong