Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach

If you’re considering LASIK, you may be wondering when you can return to your workout routine safely. While exercising could be an important part of your daily life, taking it slow during the first weeks of recovery will ensure optimal results and protect your vision long term.

Keep reading to learn more about how long you should wait to exercise after LASIK!

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a refractive surgery that uses lasers to correct nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Here’s what you can expect during the procedure:

  • Numbing drops are first applied to your eyes so you won’t feel discomfort or pain.
  • If you’re nervous, you may be given a sedative to help you feel at ease.
  • Your LASIK surgeon will then use a femtosecond laser to create a flap in your cornea.
  • They’ll fold the flap back to reveal the stroma or corneal tissue underneath.
  • Using a programmed excimer laser, they’ll reshape your cornea, which entails removing small amounts of tissue to fix your refractive error and improve the clarity of your vision.
  • After that, your LASIK surgeon will place the flap back, and the surgery is complete.
  • The flap reattaches itself without sutures in the days following your procedure.

The corneal flap is quite delicate and has to remain in place without interruption so it can adhere securely. LASIK surgery typically takes 30 minutes or less, and you can go back home shortly after.

Is Exercise Restricted After LASIK?

While LASIK is a minimally invasive surgery, your eyes still need enough time to heal before you can safely resume exercise. Working out too soon can cause the following complications:

Dislodged Flap

Strenuous activities such as intense cardio, high-impact exercises, and heavy lifting can increase your IOP or eye pressure. Even bending while working out can cause a spike in your eye pressure.

Contact or competitive sports and other physical activities could also expose your eyes to accidental bumps and trauma. Elevated IOP and trauma to the eye or face can dislodge the healing corneal flap, leading to complications.

Eye Infection

Swimming or touching your eyes after using gym equipment can introduce bacteria to your eyes, potentially causing eye infections, especially following LASIK surgery.

Eye Irritation

Sweat can drip into your eyes during workouts, and exercise can stir up dust and particles that may enter your eyes. These irritants can cause discomfort and itching in your sensitive, healing eyes, creating a strong urge to rub them. Rubbing your eyes after LASIK can disrupt the healing corneal flap and introduce bacteria, potentially leading to complications or infection.

How Long Should You Wait to Exercise Post-LASIK?

While you should always rely first on your eye doctor’s restrictions and instructions, here’s a general guideline for resuming exercise post-LASIK:

Day 1: Avoid any activity during the first 24 hours. Even light exercises can strain your eyes, so be sure to rest up.

Day 2: Gentle stretching, stationary cycling, and light walking are usually safe. Avoid activities that can make you drip sweat into your eyes.

Alternatively, you can wear a sweatband to keep sweat from entering your eyes.

Days 3 to 5: You can work out at the gym after about 3 to 5 days. However, keep the exercises light and ensure that sweat doesn’t get into your eyes.

Week 1: As you move through week 1, you can resume moderate workouts, like yoga and jogging, while making sure sweat doesn’t run into your eyes.

Week 2 to 4: At this point, you can return to heavy lifting, compound movements like squats, swimming and other water sports, basketball, snowboarding, and skiing. However, use protective eyewear for at least 3 months post-procedure to safeguard your eyes from possible impact. 

Month 3: Your eyes should have completely healed by this time, and you can get back to your favorite activities safely and without restrictions.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Advice

While LASIK recovery is typically straightforward, each recovery is different. Your timeline for resuming exercise should be based on your healing progress.

At your follow-up appointments, your LASIK surgeon will assess your recovery and offer personalized guidance on returning to full activity. Following your surgeon’s instructions can ensure a smoother recovery and better visual outcomes.

What are the Best Practices After LASIK?

These simple yet effective safety tips can help protect your healing eyes as you resume exercise after your LASIK procedure.

  • Use lubricating drops to help with dry eyes
  • Avoid eye rubbing as it can displace your corneal flap
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day to minimize post-LASIK dry eyes
  • Wear eye protection to shield your eyes from accidental impact, dust, and debris

Is LASIK Safe for Very Active Lifestyles?

If you participate in contact sports or your lifestyle involves a lot of physical activity, where face or eye trauma is a possibility, LASIK may not be the best option. These activities can increase the risk of the corneal flap becoming damaged.

You may be better suited for a procedure like PRK that doesn’t require a corneal flap. No flap means no risk of the flap getting dislodged during exercise or participation in competitive sports.

Enjoy Clear Vision and An Active Lifestyle with LASIK

Exercising after LASIK surgery at Eye Physicians of Long Beach requires patience, but it’s well worth it. You’ll be able to enjoy an uncomplicated recovery and excellent eyesight that will transform your active lifestyle for the better.

Are you interested in LASIK? Schedule your appointment at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, today to discover if the procedure is right for you.