When Can I Travel After LASIK?
One of the benefits of LASIK is the freedom it can offer. By reducing or eliminating the need for glasses and contacts, it can simplify your everyday life, including when it comes to traveling. After LASIK, you’ll be able to travel lighter with less on your mind. You won’t have to remember to take out your contacts after a long day of sightseeing or need to pack an extra pair of glasses in case your frames break.
But how soon can you travel after LASIK eye surgery? Below, Greenberg LASIK in Louisville and Indianapolis addresses what you can expect from your LASIK recovery, and how soon you can travel after laser eye surgery.
The Recovery from LASIK is Often Quick
For most patients, the recovery from LASIK is quick and they’re often back to their normal routine within 24 hours. Additionally, side effects and discomfort tend to be minimal. Most patients don’t need to take time off from work or school.
After the LASIK surgery, you’ll be advised to return home and get as much rest as possible for the first day. You shouldn’t drive after the procedure, so you’ll be asked to arrange transportation ahead of time.
The following day, you’ll return to our clinic for a post-operative appointment. This allows our clinical staff to evaluate the healing of your eyes. Prior to the procedure, you would’ve received detailed instructions on how soon you can resume certain activities. Please follow this activity schedule closely post-LASIK to ensure your eyes heal smoothly.
Traveling After LASIK Eye Surgery
Since the recovery from LASIK is often quick, most patients don’t need to wait long to travel after their surgery.
Most patients are fine to fly in an airplane the day after their procedure. However, it’s important to keep your eyes generously lubricated with eye drops. Dry eye is a normal symptom after LASIK, though it usually subsides as the eyes heal. But dry eye is also more common on airplanes due to low humidity.
As such, be prepared that you may experience dry eye if flying shortly after your LASIK procedure. While uncomfortable, this isn’t unsafe, and any discomfort can be managed through eye drops. Our clinical staff will give you detailed instructions on how to use your eye drops after LASIK.
As for other modes of transportation (like taking a bus, train, or car), most patients should be fine within a day of their surgery. While you won’t be able to drive immediately after LASIK, you should be okay to do so within 24 hours. Our clinical staff will confirm if you’re okay to drive at your post-operative consultation.
Please remember that everyone’s eyes heal differently and in their own time after LASIK. It’s important to get ample rest after your procedure, especially in the first 24 hours, so keep this in mind when making travel plans.
Some patients may be traveling from out-of-the-area for their surgery. In such cases, please plan accordingly. It’s advised that you spend at least a day in the area after your procedure to rest as well as attend your post-operative appointment the following day.
If you’re planning to travel soon after LASIK, especially if you’ll be traveling to attend your surgery, we encourage you to inform our clinical staff when you come in for a pre-operative consultation. Our team will ensure your travel plans won’t interfere with your LASIK recovery and can answer questions specific to your case.
At Greenberg LASIK, pre-operative consultations are free and come with no obligations. They’re also the first step to identifying if you’re a candidate for LASIK. If you’re close to the Louisville or Indianapolis areas, book a free consultation with Greenberg LASIK today to change how you see the world.