LASIK Recovery Timeline: When Can You Get Back to Your Activities?

If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, or one of the vision correction procedure options such as SMILE, a phakic IOL such as an ICL, PRK, or even a refractive lens exchange (RLE), you’ve probably googled around trying to figure out what the first few days after the procedure are like. Naturally, you want to know what you are in for before making a decision. Importantly, you’re likely wondering how soon you can get back to your daily routine. While there are a lot of ways to search the topic, the bottom line is that when people research vision correction procedures like LASIK, they really want to know: “When can I return to my activities?”

Totally understandable.

LASIK is remarkably quick. Most patients notice dramatically improved vision within hours. However, your eyes will need time to fully heal. You can take comfort knowing millions of people have successfully navigated LASIK recovery, and it has a 30-year record of safety.(You can review our timeline of what to expect during the hours, days, weeks, and months after vision correction treatment in this article). 

Here, we dive into when you can expect to return to your favorite activities after LASIK eye surgery.

The Most Asked Question: When Can I Drive After LASIK?

Most patients can drive within 24 hours after LASIK – but ask your eye doctor first.

Immediately following your LASIK procedure, you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you home. In addition to the sedative you were given before surgery, your eyes are going to be a bit tender and your vision blurry after surgery. So, it isn’t safe for you to drive home from your LASIK appointment. Plus, it’s important to keep your eyes closed as much as possible for the first several hours following your procedure to promote healing.

Most patients drive themselves to their first postoperative visit (typically scheduled for the day after surgery).  Almost all patients should be cleared to drive the day following LASIK and meet legal vision requirements, but make sure you feel comfortable behind the wheel. During the healing process, some patients may experience night vision issues, such as halos, glare, or starbursts, which are temporary and may need to wait a few days before driving after dusk.

When Can I Do What I Want to Do? Your LASIK Recovery Timeline

Here is a list of the typical questions asked about resuming activities after vision correction with LASIK. Note: The recovery experience with SMILE is similar to LASIK.

Returning to Work

• Timeline: 1-3 days for most occupations
• Guidance: It depends on your work environment and visual demands. Your eye surgeon will make recommendations specific to your situation.  If you spend a good deal of time on a computer, remember to blink, take breaks and use artificial tears.

Showering and Hair Washing

• Timeline: 24 hours
• Guidance: Keep water, soap, shampoo, and any chemicals out of your eyes for the first week, but you can shower normally the next day.

Eye Makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow)

• Timeline: 1 week
• Guidance: Start with new products to reduce infection risk; be gentle when removing makeup

Light Exercise (walking, stationary bike, stretching)

• Timeline: 3-7 days
• Guidance: Avoid getting sweat in your eyes (fortunately, sweatbands are cool again); no straining or activities that increase eye pressure

Moderate Exercise (jogging, light weights)

• Timeline: 1 week
• Guidance: If you lift weights, use machines for the first week before returning to free weights

Heavy Lifting and Intense Workouts

• Timeline: 1-2 weeks
• Guidance: Gradually increase intensity; avoid activities that significantly raise blood pressure.  Avoid activities where you can get hit in the eye.

 Contact Sports (basketball, football, martial arts)

• Timeline: 2-4 weeks
• Guidance: Wear sports goggles after clearance to protect from getting poked in the eye during the healing period

Swimming Pools (with goggles)

• Timeline: 1-2 weeks
• Guidance: Always wear goggles to protect your eyes from chlorine and bacteria

Hot Tubs, Natural Bodies of Water

• Timeline: 2 weeks
• Guidance: Avoid water that could be contaminated, including hot tubs, lakes, rivers, and the ocean

Water Sports (surfing, water skiing, diving)

• Timeline: 2-4 weeks
• Guidance: The combination of water exposure and potential impact requires an extended healing time. Be sure to discuss your specific sport with your eye surgeon.

Flying

• Timeline: 1-2 days
• Guidance: Cabin air can be very dry, so bring lubricating eye drops; follow your doctor’s recommendations for your specific situation

LASIK Recovery Timeline: When to Contact Your Eye Doctor

Just like any surgery, it’s normal to have some symptoms during the healing period after vision correction with LASIK. However, contact your eye doctor immediately if you experience:

• Severe pain at any time (mild discomfort is normal initially, but severe pain is not)
• Sudden vision loss or significant vision decrease
• Significant differences in symptoms or quality of vision between your two eyes
• Increasing redness, discharge, or signs of infection
• Flashing lights, new floaters, or curtain-like shadows
• Feeling that something has shifted in your eye
• Any symptoms that are getting worse instead of better

The Bottom Line on LASIK Recovery

The majority of patients have a short LASIK recovery period and can go back to the activities they want and need to do within a day or two. While your vision may improve very quickly, remember that complete healing from vision correction with LASIK typically lasts 3-6 months.

Working with your LASIK surgeon and their team throughout the recovery and healing process is essential to an overall good outcome. Those first few weeks of caution and care help ensure decades of great vision ahead.

Importantly, having LASIK or any vision correction procedure doesn’t end your relationship with your eye doctor. You’ll still need to have regular eye exams to maintain your eye and vision health. LASIK doesn’t prevent your eyes from changing as you get older. Staying on top of your eye health remains important throughout your life.

Ready to learn more? To find out if you’re a good candidate for LASIK and to learn about what to expect, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a qualified refractive surgeon in your area. Visit our surgeon locator tool to connect with experienced eye care professionals who can answer your specific questions.

This post reviewed by RSC’s Editorial Advisory Board, which is comprised of some of the world’s leading refractive surgeons.