LASIK surgery seems like something out of science fiction. A doctor carefully reshapes your cornea using a high-tech laser. Individuals who get the surgery can permanently fix their vision and be back to work shortly after.
The recovery after laser eye surgery is a cakewalk compared to most procedures. As long as you let your eyes relax and keep them lubricated, you can live your everyday life immediately. So if you’re on a busy schedule, can you fly after LASIK?
Before you book that post-procedure trip, know what to expect when caring for your eyes. Read on as we discuss whether it’s a good idea to hop on a flight – and travel tips you may need.
Can You Fly After LASIK Surgery?
The short answer is yes. You can do almost anything after LASIK provided there’s no risk of dislodging your corneal flaps. Flying is one such activity.
That said, there are a few items of note before you board your plane. Let’s look at some important considerations prior to your flight.
Delay Your Trip
It’s highly recommended not to fly immediately after your surgery. Most people require at least two or three days of relaxing recovery. Flying necessarily strains your eyes – reading tickets, flight boards, seat numbers, and so on.
Overall, it’s not a good situation for your newly-healing eyes. If at all possible, stay at home for the first three days after LASIK. You will have to return for a follow-up the day and week after, anyway.
Even better, give yourself a full week or two to recover, and then plan your trip. Only fly if you have to. For international trips, it’s highly recommended to wait at least one to two weeks.
Rest assured, flying is completely safe – but it will be more uncomfortable.
Prepare for a Dry Plane Cabin
The first potential issue when on an airplane is that the cabin area is dry. This is simply because the higher you go, the dryer the air gets. Dry air, naturally, dries out your eyes as well.
It’s critical for healthy eyes – especially post-LASIK – to lubricate them well and often. Even after your recovery period, your eyes will naturally be more dry than non-LASIK eyes.
All this means is that you need to pack plenty of doctor-approved artificial tears. Bring your prescribed eyedrops as well.
Avoid Any Eye Strain
Eye strain is the most noticeable symptom post-surgery. Anything that requires prolonged periods of focus – reading, writing, watching something – is not recommended.
It’s highly advised to avoid screen time as much as possible after your operation. Your eyes will let you know when you’ve had too much; they’ll get extremely sore, forcing you to relax.
Obviously, that leaves you with few entertainment options on the plane. You won’t be able to watch any movies or play any phone games. Even reading a paper book will provoke discomfort.
Instead, make sure you bring headphones so you can listen to music or podcasts. Take the time to have a chat with whoever’s in the seat next to you.
Or, simply lay your head back and enjoy a nap. Put on your eye shields just as you would sleeping at night.
Anything you can do that does not require focusing your eyes is ideal.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
Your eyes will be a bit itchy and dry after surgery. Your natural reaction is to rub them to relieve the discomfort. As your doctor will tell you, rubbing your eyes after surgery is a bad idea.
Rubbing them too hard could cause you to re-open the flap on your cornea. If this happens, you would need to rush into your LASIK doctor’s office to fix it. At most, you can lightly rub them to alleviate some of the discomfort.
Using your eyedrops regularly helps to keep them moisturized, making rubbing less necessary.
Be Mindful of Risks
Flying on a plane can sometimes present risks to someone just out of laser eye surgery. For example, a passenger loading their suitcase into the overhead bins. If that suitcase hits you in the face, it could detach your corneal flap and require an emergency return visit.
Simply put, be mindful of your surroundings. Travel is often chaotic. Being wary of these risks ensures you have healthy eyes and a speedy recovery.
Consider Your Destination
Your destination after the surgery may introduce challenges when caring for your eyes. Places that are sunny, windy, and cold in particular.
Beaches and cold, windy areas will dry out your eyes faster. Make sure to bring plenty of eyedrops wherever you go, inside or outside. Wear sunglasses if it’s sunny, and any time indoor lights feel too bright.
Swimming is best avoided for the first few weeks after LASIK. Keep your head above water if you have to. Avoid swimming where there’s a chance that someone could involuntarily splash you in the face.
More Travel Tips for LASIK
- Sunglasses
- Eye shields for sleeping
- Prescribed healing eye drops
- Artificial tears for dry eyes
The best way to travel after LASIK is to prepare. Bring everything that your doctor recommends post-operation:
Always keep some artificial tears on your person. Those little single-use droppers are great since they fit in your pocket or bag. Bring more than you need; it helps to have extra if you stay out later than anticipated.
Find out if you can get more eyedrops at your end destination. If you are traveling abroad, you may discover your arrival country doesn’t have the artificial tears you need. Bring plenty extra, just in case.
Again, it’s highly recommended to reschedule a vacation that comes shortly after the surgery. You wouldn’t want to pay for a costly trip, only to discover you can’t enjoy it because of eye strain and headaches.
Visit Eye LASIK Austin
Can you fly after LASIK? Yes, but there are a number of asterisks that go after that answer. Make sure you have enough eye lubrication and avoid unnecessary eye strain.
Eye LASIK Austin offers a cutting-edge ILASIK procedure. Book your free consultation and free yourself from glasses and contacts.
