How long after laser eye surgery can you drive

If you're considering laser eye surgery, one of the most common questions is: “How soon can I drive after the procedure?”

At Blink Vision Clinic in Canberra, we want every patient to feel informed and prepared, including knowing when it’s safe to get back behind the wheel.

This blog covers what affects your ability to drive after surgery, the differences between treatments, and how to know when you’re ready.

What to expect immediately after surgery

Laser eye surgery is done using local anaesthetic eye drops, so you’ll be awake but won’t feel pain. Most patients go home shortly after the procedure.

But your vision may be hazy or blurry for a few hours. You will not be able to drive yourself home. It’s important to arrange for someone else to take you.

When can I drive again?

For many patients, it’s possible to resume driving within 1 to 3 days but this depends on¹https://crstoday.com/articles/2014-jan/enhancing-the-speed-of-visual-recovery-after-lasik:

• The type of laser eye surgery you have (LASIK usually has faster recovery than TransPRK)
• How your eyes respond to the treatment
• Your visual clarity and confidence in real-world settings (especially at night).

The first follow-up appointment

We’ll usually see you for a check-up within 24–48 hours of surgery. At this visit, your eye doctor will:

• Check your healing
• Test your vision
• Let you know if it’s safe to start driving again.

You should not drive until this clearance has been given.

What about night driving?

Even after daytime vision is good, some patients notice:

• Glare from headlights
• Halos around lights
• Slight fuzziness in low light.

These effects are usually mild and fade over a few weeks, but if you’re unsure, take extra caution when night driving or avoid it temporarily.

Tips for returning to driving safely

• Don’t rush it, wait for official clearance
• Start with short daytime drives
• Wear sunglasses if light sensitivity persists
• Keep lubricating eye drops in the car if advised.

What delays driving recovery?

Everyone heals differently. You may need more time if:

• You had a high glasses prescription
• You experience dry eyes
• You’ve had PRK or TransPRK (surface treatments that can take longer to settle).

These are not complications, just normal variations in recovery.

When to contact your surgeon

If you’ve been cleared to drive but notice:

• Sudden drops in vision
• Sharp eye pain
• Difficulty focusing

You should contact us right away.

In summary

• Most people can drive again 1–3 days after laser eye surgery
• You must wait for your doctor’s approval before driving
• Night vision may take longer to feel “normal”
• Everyone heals at their own pace.

Take the next step

If you’re thinking about laser eye surgery and want to know what life after glasses could be like, take our free suitability self-test. It only takes a few minutes and gives you a personalised starting point.