Living Your New Best Life: Travelling After LASIK

One of the biggest reasons people decide to undergo a LASIK procedure is the freedom it can offer from glasses and contacts, which can make enjoying your favourite activities easier, including travelling.

Picture taking in new sights, enjoying new locales, and creating new memories with clarity you couldn’t get before.

And you don’t have to wait forever after undergoing LASIK to enjoy its benefits as you become a globe‑trotter.

You just have to make sure that you plan ahead and choose your travel activities carefully.

Your passport to clear vision

So, you’ve just undergone a LASIK procedure.

Now here’s what you need to know about travelling after LASIK:

The recommended period of time to wait to board an airplane to travel is at least 24 hours after your LASIK procedure.

You should be spending the first 24 hours after a LASIK procedure resting comfortably and allowing your eyes to begin the healing process, including wearing the protective sunglasses your clinic has given you.

After that initial 24‑hour period, your eyes will have regained some stability as they accommodate to their new level of vision, and you can resume daily tasks as well as low‑strain activities, such as taking a flight.

How to smartly prepare for post‑LASIK travel

If you’re planning on taking an airplane after your procedure, be sure to bring your eyecare essentials with you.

The pressurized air inside of a plane cabin can be quite dry, so keep your artificial drops handy: make sure to lubricate your eyes with them every 30 minutes to make sure they continue to heal properly.

The dryness may also lead you to want to rub your eyes, but you should avoid doing this at all costs to prevent complications.

Travelling while looking trendy

One item you should also be packing into your carry‑on luggage after your LASIK procedure is a pair of sunglasses, especially if you’re heading to a sunny locale.

You should also be wearing them while taking part in activities, like sailing, skiing, and snowboarding. Not only do sunglasses help deflect UV rays, but they also protect your eyes from dust, dirt and other materials that can hinder healing.

Protecting your eyes from the sun’s rays during the first few weeks after your LASIK procedure is essential to ensure proper healing.

A word of advice: Don’t ditch the shades! Continually giving your eyes the help they need while out and about year-round is just good eye hygiene.

A world of activities to enjoy

One thing to look out for is what kinds of activities you should be partaking in while on vacation after LASIK.

Here’s a list of activities and the recommended time frame you should resume them in:

3 days after LASIK (with eye protection required) / 1 month after LASIK (no eye protection required)

• Scuba diving and snorkeling
• Waterslides
• Water skiing, surfing, windsurfing and kayaking
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Motorcycling and snowmobiling
• Dirt biking and mountain biking

3 days after LASIK (with eye protection required) / 7 days after LASIK (no eye protection required)

• Swimming and sailing

1 month after LASIK (eye protection required)

• Parachuting and bungee jumping

Win before you begin

The best way to plan for a trip after a LASIK procedure is to build out an itinerary that helps you visualize your activities. This ensures that nothing gets in the way of enjoying your new level of vision.

Take the first step towards better vacationing by booking a free LASIK consultation today.