When Is it Safe to Travel After LASIK Eye Surgery?

One of the most common reasons people have LASIK is to help free themselves from daily dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses. In other words, they are trying to gain visual freedom for themselves. This is often very successful: worldwide, the vast majority of patients who have LASIK no longer need their eyeglasses or contact lenses at all.

For some patients, reading glasses may still be required for certain activities after LASIK. However, at 20/20 Institute, 99.67 percent of the patients that have LASIK with us achieve 20/20 vision or better after their procedure.*

Once reliance on eyeglasses and contact lenses is reduced, you may be more motivated to do the things in life your prescription eyewear has held you back from doing. We often hear from our patients about the many exciting things that are made more enjoyable after LASIK: swimming, biking, jogging, hiking, working out, showering, and, believe it or not, even working on their computer at work, all of it can see improvements post-LASIK.

If you are considering LASIK eye surgery in the Denver metro area or Colorado Springs, please call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 today to schedule your FREE LASIK evaluation with one of our Denver LASIK specialists. We are a local, doctor-owned and operated LASIK provider with offices in Westminster, LoDo, the DTC, and Colorado Springs.

How Long Do I Need to Wait to Travel After LASIK Eye Surgery?

For some patients, a big motivator for having LASIK is an upcoming vacation. During LASIK consultations at our Denver and Colorado Springs offices, patients will often say the reason they are looking into LASIK at this particular time is that they have a big trip planned and they do not want to bring eyeglasses and contact lenses along for the ride. Whether you’re flying out for a relaxing vacation or driving to visit family, LASIK can make the process easier.

LASIK recovery is typically very fast. Most patients return home to take a four or five-hour nap (usually with some assistance from a medication our doctors prescribe). You will likely be seeing 20/20 or better—even without your glasses—within a day, though some eyeglass prescriptions take a little longer to achieve ideal results. However, almost all patients see well enough without glasses to legally pass a driver’s vision test the next morning.

But the questions remain: Do you need to avoid travel after LASIK? And, if so, for how long? The answer to both is, “that depends.” Recovery from LASIK is different from being totally healed.

After LASIK, we will ask you to use medicated eye drops for about one week. The corneal flap, an important part of the LASIK procedure, takes one to two weeks to heal. During that time, several restrictions—including no swimming and no eye rubbing—will need to be in place. You can indeed travel and avoid swimming and eye rubbing, however, if a complication occurs during healing it’s advisable to be close to our Denver LASIK doctors to ensure it can be addressed quickly.

All things considered, we typically recommend you avoid travel for at least two weeks after LASIK to ensure your vision stabilizes and the biggest risks for complications have passed. However, if you are traveling to or near a metropolitan area that has many experienced LASIK providers, then traveling will not be as concerning as two weeks in Bora Bora immediately after LASIK. Being smart in planning your travel and LASIK procedure helps to ensure you get the most out of both.

Travel After LASIK

After your LASIK procedure, it is important to follow the recovery instructions provided by our team. These instructions will help prevent complications while giving your eyes the best opportunity to heal properly.

The other consideration in planning travel around vision correction surgery is the postoperative appointments that take place at one of our Denver or Colorado Springs LASIK facilities. We generally ask our patients to return to our office three times in the first six weeks after LASIK. One day after LASIK, then at three to seven days, and once more at four to six weeks postoperatively. A patient’s travel schedule must work around these follow-up times.

Flying After LASIK

Is it safe to fly after LASIK? Yes, it absolutely is. Most patients are cleared for air travel within one to two days of their procedure. However, while the changes in air pressure won’t likely impact your visual comfort, the dry air of the airplane cabin might increase the risk of dry, scratchy, or watery eyes. To avoid discomfort, be sure to bring the lubricating eye drops provided by our office for use on the flight. You can use lubricating eye drops as often as you would like without the risk of developing a dependence.

When flying, it is also important to avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. Airplanes are not always the most sanitary environments. Rubbing your eyes will increase the risk of irritation or corneal flap issues.

Driving After LASIK

Is it safe to drive after LASIK? Sure! Just not right away. When it comes to driving, your ability to get behind the wheel will depend on how your vision is recovering after your LASIK procedure. Nearly all patients can drive within one to two days, but it may be a good idea to wait until after your first postoperative appointment to make sure your eyes are healing properly.

Night driving after LASIK can be impacted by glare and halos from lights. These things are most often temporary, resolving as the eyes continue to heal. However, it is a good idea to be cautious while driving at night until you are comfortable with your night vision.

Additional Tips for Safe and Comfortable Travel After LASIK

If you’re planning to travel after LASIK, here are a few extra tips to help protect your eyes and make your journey all the more comfortable:

• Wear Protective Sunglasses. Whether you’re driving around Denver, traveling to the Western Slope, or vacationing on a beach, sunglasses with full UVA/UVB protection will help shield your eyes from harmful sunlight. Sunglasses also offer protection from being hit in the eye.
• Pack Eye Care Essentials. Be sure to bring your lubricating eye drops, any prescribed medications, and a copy of your post-op care instructions in case you need them while traveling.
• Avoid High-Risk Environments. If your travel plans involve outdoor activities with a risk of ocular trauma or environments with lots of dust or dirt, be sure to protect your eyes. Avoid swimming and hot tubs for the first week as well to minimize the risk of infection.

Before finalizing post-LASIK travel plans, it’s always a good idea to discuss them with your 20/20 Institute LASIK care team. Depending on the timing of your trip, we may recommend adjusting your travel dates or offer personalized advice to help protect your comfort and results. If you have concerns about traveling, we encourage you to reach out with your questions.

Planning to Travel After LASIK?

The best post-LASIK travel schedule looks something like this: stay around Denver or Colorado Springs for four to seven days after their procedure (10 days to two weeks if they are traveling to a remote location in the world) and then return to Colorado before your four to six week follow up at 20/20 Institute. If you can adhere to these guidelines, travel should be fine.

LASIK can make traveling more enjoyable, but it’s important to prioritize your recovery by following all of the postoperative guidelines provided by our Denver LASIK experts. Proper care helps to ensure your vision stays clear for years to come.

Contact 20/20 Institute for a FREE Consultation

No matter if you plan to travel after LASIK or if your interests are more locally focused, 20/20 Institute is here to help you achieve the vision of your dreams. Contact us online or call us today to schedule your FREE LASIK evaluation at our Westminster, Englewood, Downtown Denver, or Colorado Springs office to learn more!