This varies from patient to patient, contingent upon the surgical technique employed to execute the procedure and achievable pre-operative vision. The new femtosecond laser technique (IEK), offers most patients the ability to achieve vision for limited function, without contacts or glasses, within 2 to 3 weeks.
At 6 to 7 months after surgery, when some or all of the sutures have been removed, most patients may achieve 20/40 or better vision with glasses or contacts. The non-laser technique has a much longer recovery period. A similar outcome may be achieved at 12-18 months.