How Soon Can I Swim After Laser Eye Surgery?
Ongoing developments in the Laser Eye Surgery field mean that recovery rates have been on the rise, and the risk of complications has been on the decline. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any restrictions during your recovery period. You may well be advised to avoid certain activities, such as swimming, after your treatment. But how soon can you swim after Laser Eye Surgery?
One of the most important things you can do during your Laser Eye Surgery recovery is to prevent your eyes from drying out. You’ll be advised to limit your screen time (particularly in the first 24 hours after your treatment), rest your eyes as much as possible, and of course, follow your eye drop regimen.
Other things that can sap moisture from your eyes, such as travelling on a plane or drinking too much alcohol, should also be considered in the days and weeks following your surgery. The point of these restrictions is that you do everything you can to keep your eyes moist and lubricated. This moisture is vital in the eyes’ recovery process as it aids healing.
With this being the case, you may think that a nice dip in the sea or a swimming pool would be a good thing for your recovering eyes. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Keeping your eyes moist after Laser Eye Surgery – The Right Way
Following your Laser Eye Surgery treatment, your clinic will provide you with an aftercare kit for the following weeks and months. This will include lubricating eye drops.
These eye drops contain specific ingredients that mimic the eyes’ natural tear film. This precise mix of ingredients is effective at reducing the symptoms of dry eyes and safeguarding your eyes against itching, irritation, and infection. So, while these drops may look like any other liquid, they’re far from the water that comes out of your tap – or that in swimming pools or the sea, for that matter!
In fact, the water from these sources is far from just plain and simple water itself. It can often contain a wide range of substances and contaminants, including minerals, pesticides, chlorine, and even microorganisms that can cause complications with your eye’s healing process.
Unfortunately, the fact is that there are few better ways to pick up an eye infection than swimming at your local public pool, or even in a natural body of water such as the sea, a lake, or a river.
This isn’t only down to the range of potential bacteria and viruses floating around in the water. Even chlorine, which is added to swimming pools to kill germs, as well as other chemicals, can be troublesome for your eyes – particularly for the protective and lubricating tear film.
In fact, people who swim regularly may be at an increased risk of developing dry eye syndrome and eye infections. For this reason, you will be advised to avoid swimming during the first phase of your recovery from Laser Eye Surgery.
Avoiding Contact with Water After Laser Eye Surgery
During the first few weeks after your treatment, your eyes will be more sensitive than usual. Even something as simple as getting tap water in your eyes when washing your face can be bothersome for your recovery, particularly in the first week post-op.
That’s why, during this period, you will be advised to take baths instead of showers, and avoid getting water in your eyes wherever possible. Of course, this means avoiding swimming, too – whether at your local pool or out in nature.
So, when can you get back to swimming after Laser Eye Surgery?
When Can I Swim After Laser Eye Surgery?
The good news is that you won’t have to wait too long before going for a nice dip or enjoying any other water-based activities.
The first step in returning to your normal, watery routine is to reintroduce showers. This simple milestone in your recovery will take place just a few days after your procedure. By this time, you will also be able to return to many other everyday activities and exercises, such as lifting lighter weights and using a stationary bike.
By the following week, more activities will open up to you once more. This includes (but isn’t limited to) more physical sports such as tennis and squash, as well as football and mountain biking – though we advise wearing eye protection!
So, what about swimming? Well, we generally sign off LASIK patients to return to swimming (with goggles) by week two of their recovery. Patients who have ReLEx SMILE may be able to get back in the pool slightly before this, while those who have PRK/LASEK will have to wait a while longer.
If you’d like to learn more about what to expect during your Laser Eye Surgery recovery, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, to find out if you could be suitable for treatment, Book a Consultation at our Harley Street clinic.
