It is understandable that many of our patients want to know when they can go to the gym to resume exercising after laser eye surgery because sports play a significant role in many people’s daily lives. They naturally want to resume their regular activities, stay active, have fun, and benefit from their newly restored vision, and who can blame them?
It’s best to give your eyes the appropriate amount of time to heal, though, because they are incredibly priceless, before returning to some of your regular activities. Simply put, it is not worth the risk and potential harm to the outcomes of your treatment.
After Having Laser Eye Surgery, When Can I Start Exercising?
There is no one correct answer to this query because of the enormous number of sports, exercises, and activities that we all enjoy and their diversity. In addition, the time frame may vary based on the kind of laser eye surgery you’ve had.
Returning to sports or exercise soon after surgery could increase your risk of flap complications if you had LASIK surgery, which creates a flap during the procedure. You must wait the full amount of time recommended by your optometrist because even something as simple as wiping sweat from your eye can result in these kinds of complications.
Other laser eye procedures, such as LASEK and SMILE, may require less recovery time before patients can resume their regular exercise and sporting activities. It is necessary to take into account the sport or activity, though.
After Lasik, When Can I Resume Exercise?
One Day After Lasik – Indoor Exercise
You can begin to gradually introduce exercise from the comfort of your home on the first day following your LASIK procedure. Enjoy low-impact exercises that don’t require you to leave the house, such as walking, stationary cycling, or weightlifting.
Two Days After Lasik – Moderate Outdoor Exercise
You’ll be fit enough for light outdoor activity, like a neighborhood run or bike ride, two days after your LASIK procedure. Wearing eye protection is advised if you are riding a bike or running through a forest.
Five Days After Lasik – Group Fitness Classes
After five days following your LASIK procedure, studio fitness classes are once again an option! Now is the time to return to the gym, whether you prefer Crossfit, yoga, or simply to exercise with others. Although eye protection is not necessary for these activities, it is still advisable to always be cautious and bring your own towel to protect your eyes.
Two Weeks After Lasik – Skiing, Snowboarding, Swimming, And More
You’ll be prepared to resume many of the more challenging outdoor activities you enjoy after two weeks, but it’s important to always wear eye protection. You must wear eye protection while participating in any of these sports, including basketball and volleyball, martial arts, skiing, and snowboarding, for three months following your surgery.
Are you prepared to return to the pool for some fun laps? You don’t need to wear safety glasses, so go for it! The first time you can see underwater is one of the most liberating experiences!
One Month After Lasik – Scuba Diving
You must wait one month after your LASIK procedure before you resume scuba diving, so keep an eye on the calendar if you intend to go diving at any point after your procedure. To prevent salt water from getting into your eyes, make sure your mask is fitted correctly to your face.
Three Months After Lasik – Ready For Anything
You can resume your full range of athletic activities after three months have passed since your LASIK procedure without the need for eye protection! Naturally, some sports, like racquetball, squash, and handball to name a few, always call for eye protection. While you might need to slightly modify your routine to exercise and participate in sports safely after having LASIK, the recovery should not interfere with your daily activities.
Different Types Of Sports After Lasik Surgery
Basketball: It usually takes a week or so for you basketball players out there to recover. Enjoy a week off the court by taking it easy and sitting back. Just enough time for you to get some food before returning to the game.
Running: The recovery period for runners is only about three days, which is fantastic. You’ll be back at it in just three days, albeit with improved vision.
Weight lifting: Additionally, the recovery period after weight lifting is very brief—only two to three days. You’ll be back in the gym in no time if you make the most of your recovery by unwinding and eating well.
Hockey: In roughly six to seven days, you can anticipate getting back on the ice. Being fully recovered before returning to the ice is essential in a physical sport like hockey.
Golf: Golf also has a relatively quick recovery. You’ll return to the course in two or three days with an improved vision to aid in your drive shots.
Water sports: A week is needed for recovery after participating in any water sport, including surfing, kayaking, and boating.
Football: In anywhere between six and seven days, you’ll be back to catching passes and throwing touchdowns. Consider this a chance to gain the upper hand over your competitors by taking the time to memorize plays.
Baseball: You’ll spend about a week sitting in the dugout. But after that, your vision will help you throw more accurately and hit more home runs.
Horseback riding: A three-day recovery period is required for horseback riders. Consequently, you will have plenty of time for practice even if you undergo LASIK between horse shows.
Soccer: Seven days must pass after LASIK before playing soccer. Even though it might seem like a long time, just imagine how much better you’ll be when you’re fully recovered!
Motorcycling: Wait about a week before riding your bike again.
Biking: Motorcycle riders should plan on taking two to three days off from riding.
Snow sports: Plan to take a week off before returning to the slopes, snowboarders, skiers, and snowmobilers.
Tips For Exercise After Lasik Surgery
Ease Into Gentle Workouts
After your procedure, you can start slowly and gradually on the fourth or fifth day. Start some low-intensity strength training with light weights, take a walk, and use the elliptical machine. Avoid vigorous activities like boxing and activities like hot yoga that will cause you to perspire a lot.
Wear a sweatband around your head to stop sweat from dripping into your eyes just in case you start to perspire a little and keep a small towel nearby to wipe your face with if need be. Additionally, try not to rub your eyes if you still manage to get sweat in them—this will only make the situation worse.
No Swimming For A Week
You might be disappointed to learn that swimming must be avoided for a full seven days after having LASIK if it is your favorite form of exercise. Even the best goggles can’t fully prevent contaminants and chlorine in the water from irritating your eyes and delaying your recovery. Wait until you’ve given your eyes a full week to heal before diving into the lake, pool, or ocean.
Be Wary Of Watery Risks
Any LASIK patient’s top priority is to keep their eyes dry. The National Institute of Health also suggests that you refrain from using the sauna, hot tub, or pool for a while, as well as avoiding contact sports and other dangerous activities for at least a week. Before resuming these types of exercises, it’s crucial to speak with your healthcare provider.
Additionally, according to ophthalmologists, there are other risks to a full recovery in addition to environmental moisture. Activities that make you perspire a lot and let liquid drip into your eyes can irritate your eyes severely. Even worse, if you rub your eyes, you might move the LASIK flap that is still healing.
Protective Eyewear For A Month
After the first week is over, you can pretty much resume your regular exercise routine with just two restrictions. We advise wearing sports goggles or other protective eyewear for the first month following laser eye surgery, but only if your eye doctor has stated that your eyes are healing well during your initial follow-up appointment. You’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to your eyes, even though it may seem like a long time.
Conclusion
As you can see, the recovery period after LASIK is not too long. All full-contact sports can be played after about a week, and all non-contact sports after about two to three days. If your sport wasn’t listed for some reason or if you have any questions about LASIK, please leave a comment below and we will be happy to respond.
