Is it OK to have laser eye surgery before going on holiday?

Published on 16th May 2016 by Mr Manoj Mathai

We may only just be heading into Spring, but you’re no doubt already thinking about your summer holiday and, as a glasses or contact lens wearer, all the paraphernalia you’ll need to make sure you take with you.

Being able to swim without glasses or contact lens is one of the key things that our patients often comment on as being a fantastic result of having laser eye surgery, as clearly explained below:

So what do you need to bear in mind?

• You will need to avoid chlorinated or sea water for a good couple of weeks following your treatment
• Regardless of whether you have had laser eye surgery or not, it’s important to have sunglasses with UV protection. But you may be slightly more sensitive to the sun following treatment so a good pair of sunglasses is recommended.
• It is possible to fly within a few days of having your surgery, though this will depend on the type of treatment you had - please check before booking your flight!

Despite what you may have heard to the contrary, cabin pressure is not a problem if you’ve had laser eye surgery!

So if you’re planning a summer holiday with plenty of sun and sea, we would recommend having your laser eye surgery at least a month before you go.

Contact us today to book your consultation and assessment with one of our treating surgeons.

All eye surgical procedures carry a level of risk including not obtaining the desired outcome, through to varying levels of visual loss. Your eye surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits, including ones specific to your circumstances, at the time of your pre-operative consultation.