Infection After LASIK or PRK: Warning Signs and When to Get Seen the Same Day

How rare it is

Large registries put post-LASIK infectious keratitis at roughly 1 in 3,000 to 1 in 10,000 eyes, and post-PRK infection somewhat higher because the epithelium is open for several days. Both are far lower than the infection rate from years of contact lens wear, which is one of the arguments for surgery in the first place. Rare is not zero, and these infections can progress fast.

Timeline by procedure

• LASIK: bacterial infection usually declares within the first week; atypical mycobacteria and fungi can appear two to six weeks later with a slower, grumbling course.
• PRK: highest risk in the three to five days the bandage contact lens is in and the epithelium is healing. Once the surface has closed, risk falls sharply.
• ICL and RLE: the feared event is endophthalmitis inside the eye, typically within two to seven days. Rapid onset of pain, vision loss and a red eye.

Symptoms that require same-day examination

Normal recovery is the opposite pattern: worst on day zero and steadily better. Any reversal of that trend is a reason to be examined, not messaged.

How it is treated

The surgeon takes a sample for culture, then starts frequent fortified or fluoroquinolone antibiotic drops, sometimes hourly around the clock. For LASIK, the flap may be lifted to irrigate antibiotics directly into the interface and to obtain a good culture. Steroids are paused until the organism is controlled. Fungal and mycobacterial infections need different drugs and longer courses. Treated early, most infections resolve with minimal scarring; treated late, central scarring can require a corneal transplant.

Prevention you control

• Use every antibiotic drop on schedule; do not stop early because the eye feels fine
• Wash hands before every drop; do not let the bottle tip touch the eye
• No tap water in the eyes, no swimming, no hot tubs for two weeks (a month for PRK)
• No eye makeup for a week (LASIK) to two weeks (PRK); see makeup timeline
• Do not sleep in the bandage contact lens longer than instructed after PRK

If you are still in Colombia

Call the number your surgeon gave you. Reputable clinics have a same-day emergency pathway and will see you outside hours. This is one of the strongest reasons to stay the full recommended time rather than fly the day after surgery. If you cannot reach your clinic, major cities have ophthalmology emergency services at large hospitals; the hub site lists them in medical emergency in Colombia.

If you are already home

Go to an ophthalmologist or an emergency department with eye coverage the same day, tell them the date and type of surgery, and hand them your operative report. Then message your Colombian surgeon; most will consult directly with your treating doctor. Arrange this backup doctor before you travel; see coordinating US follow-up.

Frequently asked questions