LASIK and Double Eyelid Surgery: Which Comes First? + Recovery Time

Hello, this is Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic.😊

The heat that seemed endless has quickly given way to the cool crispness of autumn.

When I feel the cool breeze on my skin as summer ends,

I often think, ‘The Suneung season is approaching soon.’

Among the many things students do after the Suneung and before the new year,

double eyelid surgery and vision correction are likely some of the most popular.

With appearance considered an important 'spec',

vision correction surgery and double eyelid surgery have become mainstream procedures.

So, today we will explore:

1. Which should be done first: double eyelid surgery or vision correction?

2. When is eye plastic surgery possible after LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE surgery?

Let's take some time to find out.

[Order of LASIK and Double Eyelid Surgery]

If there is sufficient recovery time between the two surgeries, the order generally doesn't matter much.

However, if you can choose the order before undergoing both procedures,

it is generally better to proceed with vision correction first, barring exceptional circumstances.

So, why is it better to have vision correction first?

And what are these exceptional circumstances?

[Reasons to Have Vision Correction First]

Double eyelid surgery is a procedure that creates surgical alterations,

which can cause pressure due to swelling after the surgery.

In the case of LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE, these are procedures that reshape the cornea,

so pressure should not be applied to the cornea.

If pressure is applied to the cornea,

it can temporarily alter the corneal shape from its original form during examination,

which can ultimately affect the post-operative vision results.

Additionally, in very rare cases, the eyelid speculum (an instrument used to hold the eyelids open during surgery) used during LASIK surgery

can cause the double eyelid fold to loosen.

However, if double eyelid surgery has already been performed first, we recommend waiting about 3 months

for a sufficient recovery period before undergoing an examination.

[Cases Where Double Eyelid Surgery Should Be Done

Before LASIK/LASEK]

However, there are occasional cases where double eyelid surgery should precede LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE surgery.

This is when the corneal shape is significantly affected by the strength of the eyelids.

Koreans, in particular, often have smaller eyes and strong upper eyelids,

which can cause the upper part of the cornea to be pressed by the eyelid, making the corneal shape appear asymmetrical.

As corneal asymmetry can affect final vision, as mentioned earlier,

if this case is suspected after an eye exam, we may recommend double eyelid surgery first.

The second case is when eyelashes poke the cornea and cause injury.

In such cases, continuous corneal injury after vision correction surgery

can affect recovery, so it is recommended to undergo the planned double eyelid surgery first

before receiving vision correction surgery.

[Recovery Period for Double Eyelid Surgery After LASIK,

and LASIK After Double Eyelid Surgery]

Generally, it is advisable to consider double eyelid surgery about one month

after LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE.

However, if you underwent LASEK, which has a relatively longer recovery period, or

if your individual recovery speed is slow, the recovery period may be adjusted after consultation with your specialist.

Therefore, please ensure you have a thorough consultation before proceeding with the surgery.

Conversely, if double eyelid surgery was performed first,

a recovery period of about 3 months is recommended.

However, this can also vary depending on individual recovery speed,

so we strongly advise you to consult with a specialist before proceeding with the surgery.

Furthermore, before surgery, it is important to be fully aware of precautions, potential side effects, and recovery periods,

and to consider your individual circumstances thoroughly to find the optimal method

to ensure a safe and successful surgery.

Our Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic

is equipped with the latest university hospital-level equipment and a systematic examination system,

providing sincere 1:1 customized consultations and surgeries for each patient.

We always prioritize the patient,

focusing on transparency and integrity above all else.

Additionally, Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic plans to hold special events for the Suneung/winter vacation,

so please subscribe to our blog or follow us on Instagram to check for future event updates.😊😊

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Double eyelid surgery after LASIK

Double eyelid surgery after LASEK

Today LASEK SMILE Eye Clinic