How to Swim After Laser Eye Surgery

If you don't particularly like wearing your glasses or contacts, you may be a candidate for laser eye surgery. This surgery corrects your vision so that you can see without any other devices. Once the procedure is complete, it takes your eyes between one and three months to heal. After that, you will not need any additional surgeries or treatment. There are, however, a few things you want to be careful about after surgery. One of them is swimming.

Instructions

1. Wait one week after your laser eye surgery before you attempt to swim in a pool. Even after the first week, it is best if you don't let your head go underwater. Also, watch out for children who might be splashing water your way.

2. Wait two weeks after your surgery before you swim in any oceans, lakes, bays or rivers. It is still a good idea to wait a little longer before you begin swimming with your head underwater.

3. Wear a pair of goggles for the first three months after you have your surgery when swimming in a pool, ocean, lake, bay or river. The goggles will help protect your eyes from chemicals and bacteria. This step is optional, but will ensure that your eyes heal completely before exposure to various types of water.

Tips & Warnings

• You can take a bath right after the surgery, but avoid the shower for at least two days. Always follow your eye doctor's advice. If he wants you to wait longer, it could be because your eyes are unusually sensitive.

• Be careful you don't get any shampoo in your eyes for the first two weeks after the surgery. Your eyes are still healing, and this could be more painful than usual.

References

• Laser Eye Surgery