When Is It Safe To Swim After LASIK?
There are many benefits of LASIK eye surgery, but perhaps one of the most surprising ones is its quick recovery time. Most patients are back to their normal routine within a day of the procedure, and moreover, many are surprised by how little to no discomfort they feel during the healing process.
The short recovery time means patients usually don’t have to wait long to get back to the activities they love, but this time without the hassle of glasses and contacts. When you undergo a procedure at LASIK Experts in Philadelphia and New Jersey, our staff will give you an activity schedule that indicates when it’s safe to resume specific activities after LASIK, including swimming.
Some patients assume they can’t swim for a long time after LASIK, as the water could interfere with the healing process. But the good news is that you generally don’t need to wait long to jump back in the water after LASIK. Here’s what you should know about swimming following a vision correction procedure.
Swimming After LASIK
It’s important to avoid getting water in your eyes for the first week post-LASIK, including while showering and swimming, but this doesn’t mean you need to avoid water entirely. For example, when showering during week one, simply let the water go behind your head and not hit you directly in the face.
It's usually alright for patients to swim in a pool or ocean within three days of their procedure, so long as they use goggles to prevent water from coming into contact with their eyes. After the first week, patients should be fine to swim as well as go sailing without wearing eye protection.
Similarly, the following water activities are generally okay to resume with adequate eye protection a week after LASIK eye surgery:
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Waterslides
- Scuba diving
- Water skiing
- Windsurfing
Patients should be fine to enjoy these activities without eye protection a month after LASIK. But we recommend our patients proceed with caution and avoid any activities where their eye could potentially be poked or harmed, as this could compromise the healing process. Our team will explain in detail how to care for your eyes during the recovery process, including the right eye protection to wear and for how long during specific water activities.
LASIK’s typically quick recovery is only the beginning of the many benefits of vision correction, especially for people who love the water. Freedom from glasses and contact lenses makes enjoying your favorite activities easier. With clearer vision, you don’t have to worry about your glasses coming off or your lenses dislodging during swimming. It's also not even recommended to wear contacts in the water, as it raises the risk of dry eye, eye inflammation, and eye infections.
Moreover, LASIK can save you money in the long-run. It’s a one-time investment that can reduce or eliminate recurring expenses associated with glasses and contacts, such as swim goggles with prescription lenses. Use our savings calculator to see how much you can save across your lifetime.
Don’t wait to enjoy swimming and other water activities with clearer vision. Transform your life with LASIK and begin living every day with the freedom you deserve. Book a free, no obligation consultation today.