How Soon Can You Exercise After Laser Eye Surgery?

Running, lifting, and moving without glasses is an exciting thought for any active individual who undergoes LASIK to improve athletic performance. But while you may be eager to resume your fitness routine and sports, depending on the nature of the sport, you may need to put it on pause for a bit after the procedure.

Don’t worry, though. We mean it when we say it’s only for a little bit because the recovery time from LASIK surgery is relatively short. This article gives you a timeline and tips for how to slowly reintroduce activity during this period, starting with why pausing activities is critical to recovery.

Why It’s Important to Wait Before Exercising After LASIK

LASIK, as you know, is a surgical procedure where your cornea is reshaped to improve vision. Just like any other surgical procedure, there must be time allowed for healing; if not, it might delay recovery and push back your recovery timeline even more.

Engaging in physical activities too soon after laser eye surgery can introduce several risks that we seek to avoid during the waiting period:

• Increased eye pressure: High-impact exercises, like heavy weightlifting, can elevate intraocular pressure and potentially disrupt the healing of your cornea. This can affect the stability of your vision and possibly lead to complications.
• Dislodging the corneal flap: The corneal flap created during the procedure needs time to adhere securely. Intense physical activities or sudden movements can risk dislodging this flap, which may require additional surgical intervention.

Waiting may be challenging, especially if you can’t wait to resume training. However, patience is especially critical as the initial healing phase strongly influences vision improvement outcomes.

That said, creating a proper timeline for reintroducing sports and exercise requires understanding the healing process and your unique recovery process. With the guidance of your eye surgeon, establishing this game plan can be a lot easier than it seems.

Recommended Timeline for Exercising After LASIK

During the first few weeks of LASIK recovery, it’s normal to experience subtle vision fluctuation and increased sensitivity. These are manageable with your doctor’s post-LASIK care instructions, like using lubricating eye drops and polarized sunglasses.

Some activities may also be restricted. Below is a suggested timeline for when you can safely resume different types of exercise.

• Surgery Day: Focus on resting your eyes for two to four hours immediately after surgery and avoid strenuous activity. During this time, your vision may be slightly hazy but will gradually increase in clarity as the hours progress. That evening, you may resume light activity and watching TV. We ask that patients avoid heavy reading or computer work on the day of surgery to avoid eye strain.
• 1 Day Post-Surgery: You may resume light exercises the day after surgery. However, the corneal cap created during surgery is still vulnerable to being dislodged and therefore heavy weightlifting or any activities that cause rubbing, touching, or squeezing the eyes must still be avoided.
• 4 Days Post-Surgery: On day 4 of your post-operative recovery, you may resume heavy weight lifting. However, we still ask patients to be careful not to aggressively rub, touch, or squeeze the eyes for the remainder of the first month after LASIK. Using a headband or towel to keep sweat away from your eyes is recommended.
• 1 Month Post-Surgery: You can now return to your entire range of athletic activities. This includes more high-risk sports such as contact sports, scuba diving, and surfing. Although it’s always recommended to avoid rubbing your eyes in general, after one month of healing from LASIK patients may resume rubbing, touching, or squeezing their eyes like they normally would pre-LASIK surgery.

Remember, every patient’s healing process is different, and it’s crucial to follow the specific advice given by your LASIK surgeon. Always contact your surgeon immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms or discomfort during physical activity.

Safely Getting Back to Your Fitness Routine After LASIK

Resuming exercise after laser eye surgery requires some patience and caution. While it’s tempting to dive back into your usual activities, adhering to your surgeon’s recommendations is crucial for a safe recovery. Be mindful of your body, follow the timelines, and consult with your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns.

Remember, your eye health is a long-term investment, and taking it slow during recovery will pay off in the form of clear vision and overall well-being. If you need personalized guidance or have specific questions about your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact Saddleback Eye Center for professional advice and support.