Can you swim after laser eye surgery?
If you love swimming, surfing, or relaxing at the pool, you might be wondering, can I still swim after laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a safe and common way to help reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.1https://www.lasereyesurgeryhub.co.uk/laser-eye-surgery/safety-2/ But after surgery, your eyes need some time to heal before going back into the water.
This article explains why swimming too soon can be risky, how long to wait, and how to protect your eyes for a smooth recovery.
Why you need to wait before swimming
After laser eye surgery, your cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, is healing. For a few weeks, it’s more sensitive and needs extra care.
Water in pools, lakes, or the ocean can carry bacteria and other small particles. If any of these enter your healing eyes, they could cause:
- Infection
- Irritation or redness
- Slower healing
Even clean water isn’t completely sterile, so your doctor will recommend avoiding swimming for a certain amount of time.
How long should you wait to swim?
Everyone heals a little differently after laser eye surgery. Your eye doctor will tell you what’s right for you, but here’s a simple guide:
- Showers and baths: Okay after 24–48 hours, but keep your eyes closed and avoid splashing water into them.
- Swimming pools: Wait about 2–3 weeks before swimming. Pool water has chlorine, which can dry or irritate healing eyes.
- Lakes, rivers, and the ocean: Wait about 3–4 weeks. Natural water can contain sand, salt, or bacteria that may cause irritation or infection.
- Hot tubs and spas: Wait at least 1 month. Warm water can make bacteria grow faster, which can increase infection risk.
Always check with your eye care team before returning to swimming. They’ll let you know when it’s safe based on how your eyes are healing.
Why pools and hot tubs can be risky
Chlorinated water may look clean, but it can actually irritate your eyes. Chlorine and other cleaning chemicals remove bacteria, but they can also remove your eyes’ natural tear film, which keeps them moist and healthy.
After laser eye surgery, this can lead to:
- Dry, itchy eyes
- Redness or burning
- Longer healing times
Hot tubs and spas can be even riskier because the warm water helps bacteria grow faster. That’s why they should be avoided until your eyes are fully healed.
What about the beach or lake?
Natural water sources, like lakes, rivers, and the ocean, contain sand, dirt, salt, and microorganisms. These can easily get into your eyes and cause irritation or infection, especially while healing.
Saltwater may feel soothing for your skin, but it can sting or dry out your eyes. Sand and debris can also scratch the cornea, which could slow recovery.
If you love swimming outdoors, it’s best to wait at least a month and wear protective goggles when you return.
Tips for when you’re cleared to swim
When your doctor says it’s safe to swim again, follow these simple steps to protect your eyes:
- Wear swimming goggles– Choose high-quality goggles that fit snugly and keep water out.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes– If water gets in, gently rinse with clean, fresh water and pat your face dry.
- Skip contact lenses– If you used to wear them for swimming, you likely won’t need them after surgery, which lowers your risk of infection.
- Use lubricating eye drops– Keep your eyes moist and comfortable after swimming.
- Rest your eyes– Avoid spending long hours in bright sunlight right after swimming; wear sunglasses when outdoors.
Your eyes may still feel slightly dry for a few weeks after surgery, even once you’re back in the pool. This is normal and should improve with time and care.
Other activities to avoid early on
Swimming isn’t the only thing to avoid after laser eye surgery. During your recovery, it’s important to protect your eyes from strain, pressure, and potential injury.
Here’s a general guide:
- First 24 hours: Rest your eyes, no workouts or makeup.
- First week: Avoid dusty or smoky places, and no eye rubbing.
- First 2 weeks: Avoid heavy exercise or bending over for long periods.
- First month: Avoid swimming, saunas, and contact sports.
These precautions help your cornea heal smoothly and reduce the risk of infection or inflammation.
When to Call Your Eye Doctor
After laser eye surgery, mild dryness or light sensitivity is common. But you should contact your clinic right away if you notice:
- Redness that gets worse instead of better
- Eye pain or sharp discomfort
- Blurry vision that doesn’t improve
- Discharge or sticky tears
- Spots, floaters, or flashes of light
These could be signs your eyes need extra attention. The Blink Vision Clinic team is always here to help if you’re concerned.
Why healing time matters
It’s easy to feel excited and want to jump back into your normal activities right away, especially if your vision feels clear. But even when your eyes feel fine, the surface is still healing under the surface.
Giving your eyes a few extra weeks of care helps make sure your results stay stable and your vision stays clear long-term.
How Blink Vision Clinic in Canberra supports you
At Blink Vision Clinic in Canberra, we guide you through every step of the laser eye surgery process, from your first assessment to your recovery.
Before recommending surgery, we check your overall eye health, corneal thickness, and tear film to make sure your eyes are ready.
After surgery, our team provides detailed aftercare instructions and regular check-ups to track your healing and answer any questions, including when it’s safe to swim again. Your care and comfort come first.
When you’re ready to get started
If you’re considering laser eye surgery and want to learn more about your options, take our quick suitability self-test.
It only takes a few minutes and helps you find out if you might be a good candidate for the procedure.
Find out if you are suitable for vision correction
Not everyone is eligible for vision correction surgery.
Find out if you could benefit from this life changing surgery by taking the quick self-suitability quiz below:
