Can you drink alcohol after laser eye surgery​?

Laser eye surgery can be life-changing. Many people look forward to seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses. But one common question we hear is, can I drink alcohol after laser eye surgery?

The short answer is: it’s best to wait.

Alcohol can affect how your eyes heal, and your comfort after surgery. Let’s look at why, how long to wait, and what’s safe during your recovery.¹https://www.allaboutvision.com/treatments-and-surgery/vision-surgery/lasik/after-lasik-faq/

Why rest is important after laser eye surgery

Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the clear front part of your eye, to help light focus properly.

After surgery, your eyes need time to heal. For a few days, they may feel dry, itchy, or a little blurry. During this time, it’s important to avoid anything that can slow healing, and that includes alcohol.

Your body works best when it’s hydrated and rested. Alcohol does the opposite: it dries you out and can make your eyes more irritated or uncomfortable.

How alcohol affects recovery

Here are a few ways alcohol can impact your recovery after laser eye surgery:

1. Dehydration
   Alcohol makes your body lose water. Dry eyes are already common after surgery, so drinking can make this worse. You may feel burning, stinging, or blurry vision.
2. Medication interactions
   After surgery, your doctor will give you antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. These help prevent infection and swelling. Mixing alcohol with medication isn’t safe, it can change how your body absorbs or reacts to the medicine.
3. Slower healing
   Alcohol can interfere with how your body repairs itself. Your eyes may take longer to recover if you drink too soon after surgery.
4. Reduced sleep quality
   Your eyes heal best when you rest. Alcohol can make sleep lighter and less restful, which may slow your healing.
5. Accidental eye rubbing or injury
   Alcohol can reduce alertness or coordination. It’s easier to forget and rub your eyes, which can be harmful soon after surgery.

How long should you wait to drink?

Everyone heals differently, but here’s a general guide:

• First 24–48 hours: Avoid alcohol completely. Your eyes will be sensitive and need full hydration and rest.
• After 3–5 days: Once your surgeon checks your eyes and says recovery is on track, you may be able to have a small drink in moderation.
• After 1–2 weeks: Most people can safely enjoy a social drink again if their eyes feel comfortable.

Always follow your eye doctor’s specific advice. At Blink Vision Clinic, we give each patient personalised recovery instructions.

Tips if you choose to drink later on

If you’ve had laser eye surgery and your doctor says it’s safe to drink, here’s how to reduce the risks:

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before and after alcohol to prevent dryness.
• Use your lubricating eye drops. Keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
• Avoid smoky or dusty places. Bars and pubs can irritate sensitive eyes.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors. Protect your healing eyes from UV light.
• Don’t overdo it. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause dryness or fatigue, so moderation is key.

If your eyes feel irritated or vision seems off after drinking, stop and contact your eye care team.

When it’s best to avoid alcohol longer

Some people may need to wait a bit longer before drinking, especially if:

• You have naturally dry eyes
• You’re using prescription eye drops regularly
• You’re taking oral antibiotics or pain medication
• You notice swelling, redness, or irritation
• You had PRK (which takes longer to heal than LASIK or SMILE)

Your surgeon will let you know the right timeline for your situation.

What about the night before surgery?

It’s also important not to drink alcohol before surgery.

Here’s why:

• Alcohol can make you dehydrated, which can affect your corneal measurements.
• It may interfere with sedative or numbing medications used during your procedure.
• You might feel tired or unwell the next day, which isn’t ideal for surgery.

The best plan is to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after your procedure.

What to do instead of drinking

If you want to relax or celebrate your new vision without alcohol, here are some safer options:

• Enjoy a special meal with friends or family.
• Go for a gentle walk (with sunglasses to protect your eyes).
• Watch a movie or listen to music while resting your eyes.
• Try sparkling water with fruit or a non-alcoholic mocktail.

Your eyes will thank you, and you’ll recover faster.

When to contact your eye doctor

After surgery, it’s normal to have mild dryness, light sensitivity, or blurry vision for a few days. But contact your clinic right away if you notice:

• Sharp or increasing pain
• Redness or swelling that doesn’t go away
• Vision changes or new floaters
• Discomfort that worsens after drinking

Your care team can check your eyes and make sure everything is healing properly.

How Blink Vision Clinic helps you recover

At Blink Vision Clinic in Canberra, we care about every step of your journey, from your first consultation to your full recovery.

Before recommending laser eye surgery, we check your eye health, medical history, and lifestyle. That includes asking about alcohol use, medications, and dry eye risk.

After surgery, we give you clear, personalised aftercare instructions. Our goal is to help you understand what’s right for your eyes, and to make sure you heal comfortably and safely.

Ready to find out if you’re suitable?

Thinking about laser eye surgery? Take our quick suitability self-test to find out if it could be an option for you.

It only takes a few minutes and helps our team understand your vision needs.