Can you exercise after laser eye surgery? Yes, you can get back to exercise after laser eye surgery, but you need to wait. Your eyes need time to heal. Starting too soon can harm your recovery. Knowing when and how to safely start exercising again is very important for your LASIK recovery exercise journey. This guide will help you figure out the right time for different types of post-laser eye surgery activity and the steps to take to protect your healing eyes. It covers when can I exercise after LASIK and what safe exercise after eye surgery looks like at each stage.
Image Source: saddlebackeye.com
Knowing About Laser Eye Surgery Types
Different laser eye surgeries help your vision. LASIK and PRK are common ones. They work on the front part of your eye, called the cornea.
LASIK: What Happens
LASIK uses a laser to change the shape of your cornea. First, the doctor makes a thin flap on the cornea. They lift this flap. Then, they use another laser to reshape the eye part underneath. After that, they put the flap back. The flap helps the eye heal quickly. Healing after laser eye surgery is usually faster with LASIK for things like surface comfort.
PRK: What Happens
PRK is different from LASIK. With PRK, the doctor removes the very top layer of the cornea. This layer is called the epithelium. Then, they use a laser to reshape the cornea below. A special contact lens is put on the eye for a few days. This lens protects the eye while the top layer grows back. Because the top layer is removed, healing after laser eye surgery can take a bit longer and be more uncomfortable at first compared to LASIK. This difference affects exercise precautions after PRK compared to LASIK.
Why Waiting to Exercise Matters
Your eye needs time to heal after surgery. This is true for both LASIK and PRK.
Protecting the Eye Surface
With LASIK, the corneal flap is sensitive. It needs time to stick down firmly. Hard movements or bumps can move the flap. This can cause problems and slow down healing.
With PRK, the new top layer of skin needs to grow back. Until it does, the eye is open to infection. Dirt, sweat, or water in the eye can be dangerous.
Avoiding Eye Pressure Changes
Some hard exercises can raise pressure in your head. This can also affect pressure in your eyes. While this is less of a risk for standard laser vision correction, it’s better to be careful during early healing.
Keeping Eyes Safe from Injury
Exercise, especially active or outdoor kinds, can bring risks. Dust, sweat, or even a small bump could hurt your healing eye.
When You Can Start Light Activity
You don’t have to stay still forever. Light activity is usually okay soon after surgery. But you must be careful.
The First Day or Two
Right after surgery, rest is key. Your doctor will tell you to relax. Avoid bending over or anything that strains your eyes. No exercise yet. Just light walking around your home is usually fine.
A Few Days After Surgery
Often, within a few days (maybe 2-3), you can do very light activity. Think slow walking.
- Gentle walks outside or on a treadmill.
- Slow, easy movements.
- No heavy lifting.
- No sweating a lot.
The goal is to move a little without putting any stress on your eyes. Avoid places with lots of dust or wind.
Checking with Your Doctor
Always ask your eye surgeon when you can start even light activity. They know your case best. They will check your healing progress. Follow their advice exactly. This is a key part of safe exercise after eye surgery.
Starting Moderate Exercise
After the first few days, you can usually move to slightly more active things. This might be about one week after surgery for LASIK. It might be longer for PRK.
Around One Week Post-LASIK
Many people can start moderate exercise about a week after LASIK.
- Faster walking.
- Stationary bike riding indoors.
- Light gym machines.
- Low-impact aerobics without fast head movements.
Remember the rules:
- Avoid anything that could hit your eye.
- Try not to sweat a lot, or have a clean towel ready for sweat. Sweat in eyes after LASIK can sting and carry germs.
- Wear protective glasses if you are outside or where there’s dust.
The Difference for PRK
For PRK, the wait for moderate exercise is often longer. It could be 2-4 weeks. This is because the top layer of the eye is still healing. It needs more time to become strong. Exercise precautions after PRK often mean waiting longer for many activities.
Listening to Your Body
If your eyes feel uncomfortable, dry, or irritated during exercise, stop. Rest. Use your eye drops. Your eyes telling you to stop is important.
Resuming Strenuous Activities
This is where you need to be most careful. Strenuous activity after LASIK or PRK takes longer to return to.
What is Strenuous Activity?
- Heavy weightlifting.
- Running.
- High-impact sports (like basketball, soccer, tennis).
- Anything that makes you sweat hard.
- Activities with a risk of falling or getting hit.
The Typical Wait Time
For LASIK, you might need to wait 2-4 weeks before doing strenuous activity. The corneal flap needs to be well-attached.
For PRK, the wait is usually longer, possibly 4-8 weeks or more. The eye surface needs to be fully healed and strong.
Why the Long Wait?
- Eye Injury: Higher risk of bumping or hitting your eye during intense activity.
- Flap Movement (LASIK): Even weeks later, a hard bump could potentially move the flap.
- Sweat and Germs: More sweat means more risk of sweat in eyes after LASIK or PRK. Sweat carries germs.
- Eye Pressure: While less common, some eye doctors suggest avoiding very heavy lifting early on due to potential minor eye pressure changes, though this is debated and often not a major concern for routine lifting. The main risks are injury and infection.
Taking Steps to Be Safe
When you do start strenuous exercise:
- Wear protective sports glasses. This is a must for any activity where your eye could get poked or hit.
- Have a clean towel ready to gently pat away sweat.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Build up slowly. Don’t do too much too soon.
Water Activities: Swimming and More
Water poses a big risk after laser eye surgery. Germs in water can cause serious eye infections.
Why Water is Risky
- Bacteria and Amoebas: Lakes, rivers, pools, and even hot tubs have tiny living things. These can cause bad infections in a healing eye.
- Chemicals: Chlorine in pools can irritate your healing eyes.
Swimming After Laser Eye Surgery
You need to wait a significant amount of time before swimming.
- Pools with Chlorine: Typically, wait at least 2-4 weeks. Some doctors say longer. When you do swim, wear tight-fitting goggles that seal water out completely.
- Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Hot Tubs: These waters have even more germs. You might need to wait 4-8 weeks or even longer. Ask your surgeon specifically about these. Wearing goggles is still very important.
Other Water Sports
Activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding, or surfing have an added risk. You could fall and hit the water hard. This is like getting hit in the eye. Avoid these activities for at least 1-2 months, or until your surgeon says it’s safe.
Safe exercise after eye surgery means keeping water away from your eyes for a good while.
Playing Contact Sports
Contact sports after eye surgery carry the highest risk of serious eye injury.
What are Contact Sports?
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Rugby
- Martial arts (karate, judo, boxing)
- Hockey
- Wrestling
The Danger
Getting poked, hit by a ball, or elbowed in the eye can open the LASIK flap or injure the healing PRK surface. This can cause big problems, including vision loss.
How Long to Wait
This requires the longest wait.
- For LASIK, most surgeons recommend waiting at least 1-3 months. Even then, wearing strong protective eyewear is absolutely necessary.
- For PRK, it might be longer, maybe 3-6 months, again, with protective eyewear.
Safety First
If you play contact sports, talk to your surgeon. They will tell you the safest time to return and what kind of eye protection you need. Don’t play without it. This is not just about healing after laser eye surgery; it’s about protecting your new vision for life.
Summary Timeline for Exercise Return
This is a general guide. Always follow your surgeon’s specific instructions. Healing times vary for each person.
| Activity Type | Typical Return Time (LASIK) | Typical Return Time (PRK) | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Light (walking indoors) | 1-2 days | 1-3 days | Avoid bending, straining. |
| Light (gentle walking outside) | 2-4 days | 4-7 days | Avoid dust, wind. Maybe use sunglasses. |
| Moderate (stationary bike) | 7 days (1 week) | 2-4 weeks | Avoid sweat in eyes after LASIK/PRK. Use clean towel. |
| Strenuous (running, weights) | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks | Wear protective glasses. Build up slowly. |
| Swimming (Chlorinated Pool) | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks | Must use goggles that seal well. |
| Swimming (Other Water) | 4-8 weeks | 8+ weeks | Must use goggles. Higher risk of infection. |
| Contact Sports | 1-3 months | 3-6+ months | Mandatory protective eyewear. |
This table helps answer when can I exercise after LASIK and other surgeries. It shows the general path for safe exercise after eye surgery.
Managing Sweat and Debris
Sweat in eyes after LASIK or PRK is a risk. It can cause burning and redness. More importantly, sweat carries bacteria from your skin. Getting this into a healing eye can cause infection.
Tips for Sweaty Activities
- Wear a clean headband or hat to catch sweat before it runs into your eyes.
- Keep a clean, soft towel handy. Gently pat sweat away from your eyes. Don’t rub.
- Consider wearing protective glasses or sunglasses during exercise. They can act as a barrier.
Avoiding Dust and Dirt
Windy or dusty places are bad for healing eyes.
- If exercising outside, check the weather. Avoid very windy days.
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses or protective sports glasses.
- Avoid activities like gardening or yard work for a few weeks, especially on windy days.
Deciphering Your Healing Progress
Knowing how your eye is healing helps you decide when to push harder with exercise. Your eye doctor checks this at your follow-up visits.
Signs of Good Healing
- Clear vision improving each day.
- Little to no pain or discomfort.
- Redness going away.
- No cloudy spots or new issues.
Signs to Be Careful
- Pain or burning in your eye.
- Eyes are very red.
- Vision gets worse.
- Sensitivity to light is strong.
- You see new floaters or flashes of light.
If you have any worrying signs, stop exercising and call your eye doctor right away. Do not try to work through eye pain after surgery.
Exercise Precautions After PRK Specifics
PRK recovery is different from LASIK, especially in the first week or two.
Longer Initial Discomfort
PRK can cause more discomfort, light sensitivity, and blurry vision for the first few days to a week. This naturally limits what you want to do.
The Importance of the Bandage Lens
You wear a special contact lens after PRK. This lens protects the eye while the top layer grows back. Do not lose this lens or try to take it out yourself. It’s a barrier against germs and helps the eye heal. Exercise precautions after PRK include being extra careful not to dislodge this lens. Avoid rubbing your eyes intensely while the lens is in.
Waiting for the Surface to Heal
The main reason for the longer wait for PRK is the eye surface needs to be fully smooth and strong again. This takes time. Doing strenuous or risky activities too soon can harm this new surface. This affects healing after laser eye surgery significantly.
Grasping the Role of Protective Eyewear
Protective eyewear is your friend after laser eye surgery, even after you’re mostly healed.
Types of Protective Eyewear
- Wrap-around Sunglasses: Good for light activity outside. They block sun, wind, and light dust.
- Sports Glasses/Goggles: Made from strong plastic. They fit close to your face. Use these for moderate to strenuous activities, especially where there’s a risk of a bump or debris. Look for ones with side protection.
- Specific Sports Goggles: Made for activities like basketball or racquet sports. These are very strong and offer maximum protection.
When to Use Them
- Anytime you are outside exercising, especially in windy or dusty places.
- During any sport or activity where a ball, equipment, or person could hit your eye.
- During activities where sweat or debris is likely to fall into your eyes.
Using protective eyewear is a simple step that greatly reduces the risk of injury and infection. It’s a key part of safe exercise after eye surgery.
Composing a Safe Exercise Plan
Don’t just jump back into your old routine. Plan your return to exercise.
Talk to Your Surgeon
Before starting any new activity level, confirm with your eye doctor. They can give you the best advice based on your personal healing.
Start Slow
Begin with lighter versions of your favorite activities. If you were a runner, start with walking or walk-jogging. If you lifted heavy weights, start with lighter ones or more reps.
Build Up Slowly
Increase the time and intensity of your workouts over days and weeks. Don’t try to do everything you did before surgery on the first day back.
Listen to Your Eyes
Pay close attention to how your eyes feel during and after exercise. If they are red, sore, or your vision gets worse, stop and rest.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. This helps your whole body, including your eyes. Dry eyes can feel worse when you are exercising.
Have Eye Drops Ready
Keep your prescribed or recommended eye drops with you. Use them before and after exercise, especially if your eyes feel dry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I exercise the day after LASIK?
No. You should rest the day after LASIK surgery. Very light walking indoors is usually okay, but no real exercise.
When can I start running after LASIK?
Most surgeons advise waiting 2-4 weeks for running after LASIK. Wait longer for PRK, maybe 4-8 weeks. Running is a strenuous activity.
Is cycling safe after laser eye surgery?
Indoor cycling on a stationary bike is usually safe around one week after LASIK or 2-4 weeks after PRK. Outdoor cycling has more risks (wind, debris, falls, traffic). Wait longer for outdoor cycling, maybe 2-4 weeks for LASIK, and always wear protective eyewear.
Can I lift weights after LASIK?
Light weights are usually okay around one week after LASIK. Heavy weightlifting or strenuous activity after LASIK might require waiting 2-4 weeks. Focus on avoiding straining or holding your breath hard, and protect your eyes from potential bumps.
How long after laser eye surgery before I can swim?
For chlorinated pools, wait at least 2-4 weeks. For lakes, rivers, or the ocean, wait longer, maybe 4-8 weeks or more. Always use tight-fitting goggles. Swimming after laser eye surgery too soon is a major infection risk.
What about sweat in my eyes after LASIK?
Sweat can carry germs and irritate healing eyes. Wear a headband or hat, and use a clean towel to pat sweat away. Avoid rubbing your eyes. This is part of safe exercise after eye surgery.
Do I need to wear glasses for exercise after LASIK?
Yes, it’s a good idea, especially in the early weeks or for certain activities. Wrap-around sunglasses protect from sun, wind, and debris. Sports glasses or goggles are important for any activity where your eye could get hit, including strenuous activity after LASIK or contact sports after eye surgery.
How long do exercise precautions after PRK last?
PRK recovery often takes longer than LASIK. You will likely need to wait longer to return to moderate (2-4 weeks) and strenuous (4-8+ weeks) activities. Water activities and contact sports also require longer waits than with LASIK. Follow your surgeon’s specific timeline for healing after laser eye surgery with PRK.
What should I do if my eye hurts after exercising?
Stop exercising. Rest your eyes. Use your eye drops if needed. If pain is bad, gets worse, or you notice vision changes, call your eye doctor right away.
When can I play contact sports after laser eye surgery?
You must wait the longest for contact sports after eye surgery. For LASIK, wait at least 1-3 months. For PRK, it could be 3-6 months or more. You must wear strong protective eyewear when you return.
Getting back to exercise is a great goal after laser eye surgery. Just remember that patience and following your doctor’s advice are the best ways to protect your new vision and ensure a smooth healing after laser eye surgery. Start slow, be safe, and enjoy your clear sight!