The eye begins to heal after LASIK as soon as the corneal flap is repositioned on the front surface of the eye. The flap adheres to the underlying cornea without the need for stitches and acts like a living bandage throughout the healing process.
You will be prescribed medicated eye drops to use, beginning immediately after surgery. These drops prevent infection and reduce inflammation during the healing process. You might feel some stinging and experience some blurring of your vision when using these drops, but be sure to continue using them as directed.
You also will be advised to use artificial tears frequently, to keep your eyes moist, facilitate healing and reduce dry eye symptoms, which are common in the days immediately following LASIK surgery.
Most healing usually occurs quite fast after LASIK surgery. Typically you will return to the surgery center or to your eye doctor's office the following day to check the condition of your eyes and measure your visual acuity without corrective lenses.
Nearly all LASIK patients see well enough the day after surgery to be able to pass a driver's vision test without glasses or contact lenses, and many can read the 20/20 line on the eye chart.