Foods to Avoid After Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery has revolutionized the eye care world. Millions of people have undergone the procedure to improve their vision, reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and enhance their quality of life. 

However, post-surgery care plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth recovery and achieving the best possible results. One important aspect of the recovery is maintaining a healthy diet after laser eye surgery.

In this guide, let us explore the foods that should be avoided and eaten after laser eye surgery to help with the recovery process.

Importance Of Diet After Laser Eye Surgery

After laser eye surgery, your eyes are healing and adjusting to the new vision and it is important to support the body’s natural healing processes during the recovery period. 

The food eaten after the surgery may impact inflammation, immune function, and overall healing.

The surgeon will provide you with specific post-operative care instructions, and understanding the role diet plays in healing is essential.

Foods To Avoid After Laser Eye Surgery

Certain foods may cause irritation, slow the recovery process, or contribute to discomfort after laser eye surgery. Avoiding these foods is recommended, especially when your eyes are in a delicate healing phase after a laser eye surgery. 

Here are a few foods that are to be avoided after laser eye surgery:

• Foods High In Sugar

After LASIK surgery, it is important to avoid sugar-rich foods, including packed juices, honey, cakes, pastries, and candies. 

Consuming sugar-rich foods may lead to high blood sugar levels and blood pressure, which can slow tissue regeneration.

Also, sugary drinks and foods may lead to increased inflammation, which may prolong the healing process after the surgery and may increase the risk of complications.

• High-sodium and processed foods

Highly processed foods, including chips, packed popcorn, fast foods, and packaged foods are loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium, sugar, and preservatives that may impact recovery after LASIK surgery.

It may increase blood pressure, slow the healing process, and increase the risk of post-surgical complications. The sodium-rich foods can have preservatives that may disrupt the body’s recovery.

• Greasy and fried foods

Greasy and deep-fried foods, including fried chicken and french fries, are loaded with trans fat that may induce inflammation, which in turn may slow down the healing process after laser eye surgery. 

It may also contain high levels of sugar or sodium that may increase inflammation and affect eye health.

So, avoiding deep-fried foods after LASIK surgery may help minimize the inflammation and support the healing process.

• Alcohol 

Alcohol may cause dehydration, which is detrimental to the healing process. It may also impair the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. It may interfere with medications prescribed post-surgery. 

• Spicy foods

Spicy foods, including hot peppers, spicy sauces, or snacks, may not harm the eyes directly, but they may trigger symptoms, including sweating and increased blood flow, that may irritate the tissues around the eyes.

High-sugar foods	Packed juicesCakesPastriesCandies
Sodium-rich foods	Canned foodsPreserved foodsUltra-processed foods, including chips, packed popcorn, packaged biscuits, cookiesPickles
Greasy and fried foods	ChipsSamosaFrench friesFried chicken
Spicy foods	Hot peppersSpicy saucesSnacks
Alcohol

Table: Foods to avoid after laser eye surgery

Foods To Eat After Laser Eye Surgery

A balanced diet rich in nutrients may help heal after laser eye surgery. Here are some foods that you may have after laser eye surgery to help with recovery:

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are packed with key nutrients and antioxidants that support eye health and promote healing, and reduce inflammation.

Healthy fats

Healthy fats, including avocados, sweety potatoes, whole eggs, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish, may reduce inflammation and promote eye health.

Nuts

Nuts are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that may offer a holistic approach to supporting vision and improving brain health.

Whole grains

Whole grains, including brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat products, may be beneficial due to their low glycemic index and ability to stabilise blood sugar levels.

Protein-rich foods

Protein-rich foods, including fish, chicken, beans, and eggs, may help rejuvenate cells and blood vessels, speeding up the recovery process.

Water

Hydration plays a key role in all body functions, including eye health and reduces the chances of dry eye.

Tips For Quick Recovery After Laser Eye Surgery

Here are a few steps that you may follow for a quick recovery after laser eye surgery:

• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water to sustain overall health and promote healing.
• Avoid extremely dry environments that may cause dry eyes and delay your recovery.
• Avoid strenuous physical activities or heavy lifting for at least a week after the surgery which helps to prevent eye strain and promote healing.
• Wear sunglasses and protect the eyes against UV rays and bright light.
• Take adequate rest after the surgery to reduce strain.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes

Conclusion

Diet plays an important role in supporting the recovery process after laser eye surgery. Avoiding foods high in salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and unhealthy fats may help reduce inflammation, promote healing and ensure that the eyes recover effectively after the surgery.

It is recommended to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to avoid complications. If you have any queries regarding your diet post-laser eye surgery, consult with Grewal Eye Institute for personalized advice!

Frequently Asked Questions