Longevity logo

Can I Go For Swimming After LASIK Eye Surgery?

Swimming after LASIK eye surgery? Yes or no

By Deepika SharmaPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
Like
LASIK Eye Surgery

Being nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic is nearly the same as being half-blind since the entire world is blur without vision correction devices like lens or spectacles. It’s challenging driving at night, especially when the approaching vehicle’s lights blind your vision or sip a hot cup of tea with all the mist on your glasses. Equally, swimmers with incorrect vision face similar troubles. It’s demotivating, especially if you’re a professional and your career depends on it.

But if you visit an eye hospital and talk with an expert, you will realize that all these problems can be shoved away with one solution - a LASIK surgery.

What is LASIK Surgery?

Laser in-situ keratomileusis or LASIK is a surgery performed on patients with myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. It can help reshape their cornea to focus the reflected light on the retina.

More than 90% of all the patients who have undergone this surgery have successfully recovered and corrected their vision. It is almost painless and doesn’t require any stitches, bandages, or insertions. People usually tend to get back to their daily routine within one or two days of surgery.

But there are restrictions enforced to enhance the recovery process and prevent any damage just after the surgery to your eye. One of which is avoiding water from entering your eyes.

Why is it not Safe to Go for Swimming After LASIK Surgery?

During LASIK eye surgery, a thin flap is made in your cornea to rectify the tissue within, and after completion of the process, the flap is put back in place. It is suggested to make sure your eyes are not in contact with water, soaps, etc. to prevent this flap from getting wrinkled or infected,

Swimming is a sport that can cause massive amounts of damage to your rectified eyes soon after the LASIK surgery. It is therefore advisable to withdraw from such activities for a particular period.

Given below are the time frames to start swimming in various habitats:

After 1 Day

You can take a shower or bath as you usually do except strictly avoid water, soap, shampoo, any chemical from entering your eyes.

After 1 Week

You can resume swimming in a chlorinated pool, but remember to wear protective goggles and not bring your eyes to more contact with pressurized water. Avoid diving from high altitudes. You can even wait for two weeks for the same.

After 2 Weeks

You can take baths in hot tubs and even get back to much safer activities like kayaking and snorkelling. But do not forget to gear up all your protection devices and especially, goggles.

After 3 Weeks

You can make a comeback in all your favourite water sports like rafting, surfing, etc. Since natural bodies contain more bacteria, they can be highly dangerous to your eyes during the initial healing process. But after three weeks, you can resume swimming in them, but while wearing goggles.

After 1 Month

After complete recovery from LASIK eye surgery, you can now swim or partake in even high-impact water sports without wearing goggles!

Conclusion

LASIK surgery is a saviour for many people who face difficulties daily in the simplest of activities like driving, swimming, or even enjoying the rain! Therefore, it must not be taken for granted, and the patient must follow all the necessary precautions advised by the doctor. In case, water from the pool or natural body enters your eye, clean it with drinking water, and avoid rubbing your eyes. Consult your doctor and ask for eye drops, if needed.

Also Read: What to Look for When Choosing an Eye Doctor

health
Like

About the Creator

Deepika Sharma

I am Deepika Sharma, a professional writer & blogger. I have an experience of more than three years. I always look for new things in writing and content curation and also worked for many websites.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.