REST AND ACTIVITY MODIFICATION Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that cause excessive sweating for at least 24 to 48 hours after treatment. This includes high-intensity workouts, running, cycling, and any activity that significantly increases heart rate or causes perspiration near the eye area. Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first 1 to 2 nights to minimise swelling around the eyes. Avoid touching, rubbing, or pressing on your eyes or eyelids for at least 48 hours to allow the PRP to penetrate the ocular tissues properly. Do not wear contact lenses for at least 48 hours after treatment, or as directed by your practitioner. COLD COMPRESS APPLICATION Apply a cold compress or chilled eye mask wrapped in a soft cloth to the eye area for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours during the first 24 hours to help manage discomfort and reduce swelling. Always place a cloth or towel between the cold compress and your skin. Do not apply ice directly to the eyes or eyelids. Be gentle and avoid pressing firmly on the eyeball or surrounding tissues. PAIN AND SWELLING MANAGEMENT Some tenderness, mild throbbing, or discomfort around the eye area is common and expected. This typically lasts for one to three days. If needed, take acetaminophen (paracetamol) for mild pain. Avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin for at least one week, as they interfere with PRP's healing properties and may increase bruising. Mild swelling of the eyelids or periocular area is common and should subside within 24 to 48 hours. Some patients experience a feeling of tightness or fullness around the eyes for 2 to 3 days. If swelling becomes excessive, is accompanied by significant pain, or persists beyond one week, contact your practitioner immediately. AVOID HEAT AND SWEAT Avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, sunbeds, and heat packs for at least 48 to 72 hours after injection, as heat can increase blood flow and exacerbate inflammation. Avoid activities that cause excessive sweating, including strenuous exercise, hot yoga, and sun exposure, for 48 hours. Sweat can irritate fresh treatment sites and introduce bacteria near the delicate eye area. EYE CARE AND HYGIENE Do not wash your face or eye area for at least 6 to 12 hours after treatment to allow the PRP to fully absorb into the ocular tissues. When you do cleanse your face, use lukewarm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Avoid vigorous rubbing or massaging of the eye area for 7 days. Pat the eye area dry gently with a soft towel — do not rub. Avoid direct water pressure on the eyes when showering for 48 hours. Do not use eye makeup, including mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, or false eyelashes, for at least 48 hours after treatment. Do not apply eye creams, serums, or any skincare products to the eye area for 24 hours unless specifically directed by your practitioner. ​ MONITOR THE TREATMENT AREA Though rare, infection is possible. If you notice increased redness, warmth, significant swelling, pus, or fever, contact your practitioner immediately. Small bruises or needle marks around the eye area are common and should resolve within a few days to one week. Small lumps may form at injection sites. These typically resolve on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. Do not attempt to massage or drain them unless specifically directed. Mild redness and a tender sensation around the eyelids may persist for 24 to 48 hours. This is normal. Some patients experience mild itching as healing begins — do not scratch or rub the eyes. Increased tearing or temporary blurred vision may occur immediately after treatment and typically resolves within a few hours. Do not pick or scratch at any flaking skin around the eye area. Dry eye patients: You may experience temporary increased dryness or grittiness in the first 24 to 48 hours as the eye surface adjusts. This is normal and typically improves as the PRP begins to stimulate tear production and ocular surface healing. ENHANCEMENT PROTOCOL Your practitioner may recommend specific products or practices to enhance results. Topical Eye Treatments: A gentle eye care routine may be recommended beginning 24 hours post-treatment. Use preservative-free artificial tears or lubricating eye drops as directed to support tear film stability and ocular surface hydration. Your practitioner may recommend a specific post-treatment eye serum containing growth factors, hyaluronic acid, or autologous serum drops to support healing. Avoid over-the-counter redness-relief drops, as these can mask underlying irritation and may contain preservatives that interfere with healing. Eyelid Care: For patients with meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis, warm compresses may be recommended after 48 hours to support gland function. Use a clean, warm (not hot) compress applied to closed eyelids for 5 to 10 minutes. Your practitioner may recommend specific eyelid cleansers or wipes to maintain hygiene without irritating healing tissue. Supplements: Some providers recommend eye-supporting supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, zinc, or lutein to complement PRP results and support tear film quality. Only take supplements as directed by your practitioner. L-arginine, citrulline, or specific vitamins may be recommended to support vascular health and nutrient delivery to ocular tissues. Arnica cream or tablets may be recommended to reduce bruising if you are prone. LIFESTYLE AND HYDRATION Drink plenty of water to support cellular regeneration and optimal healing. Aim for at least 2 litres daily in the first week after treatment. Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours post-injection, as it can interfere with healing and increase bruising. Ideally, avoid alcohol for one week to maximise results. Smoking impairs blood flow and compromises results, so avoid it for at least one week. Ideally, use this as an opportunity to quit. Maintain a nutrient-rich diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants to support tissue repair, collagen production, and ocular surface health. ​ THINGS TO AVOID Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 3 to 5 days to prevent excessive sweating and trauma to the eye area. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin should be avoided for at least one week because they interfere with natural inflammatory healing. Alcohol should be avoided for at least 48 hours because it impairs healing and increases bruising. Heat therapy, including saunas, hot baths, and heat packs, should be avoided for 48 to 72 hours because it can exacerbate inflammation. Sweating and excessive moisture around the eyes should be avoided for 48 hours because it can irritate treatment sites. Smoking should be avoided for at least one week because it impairs vascularisation and healing. Direct sun exposure and tanning beds should be avoided for 1 week because UV radiation can damage healing skin and cause sensitivity around the eyes. Eye makeup including mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and false eyelashes should be avoided for at least 48 hours because it can introduce bacteria to healing sites. Contact lenses should be avoided for 48 hours because they can irritate the ocular surface and disrupt tear film stability. Eye creams, serums, and active ingredients including retinol should be avoided for 7 days because they can irritate sensitive post-treatment skin. Swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas should be avoided for 1 week because chlorine and bacteria can irritate healing eye tissues. Excessive screen time including computers, smartphones, and television should be limited for 48 hours because it can strain the eyes and reduce blink rate, affecting tear film distribution. EXPECTED TIMELINE AND RESULTS During the first 0 to 48 hours, you may experience mild tenderness, redness, possible bruising, and swelling around the eye area. Rest is essential. Some patients notice temporary increased dryness, grittiness, or light sensitivity during the first 24 to 48 hours. This is normal as the ocular surface adjusts. From days 3 to 7, discomfort subsides and you can gradually return to normal activities. The eye area may feel slightly tender or itchy as healing begins. Artificial tears may be used frequently during this period to support comfort. During weeks 2 to 4, early improvements in tear film stability, reduced dryness, and enhanced ocular comfort may become noticeable. Existing symptoms of grittiness or burning may begin to diminish. During weeks 4 to 8, there is progressive enhancement of results as the ocular surface regenerates and meibomian gland function improves. Tear production and quality typically become more consistent. By 3 to 6 months, optimal results are achieved with noticeable improvements in eye moisture, comfort, and overall ocular surface health. A course of 3 to 4 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart is often recommended for optimal outcomes, followed by maintenance sessions every 3 to 6 months depending on your condition severity and response.