How soon can you exercise after laser eye surgery?

Author: Marcus Nolan  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

3-4 Days After LASIK – Indoor Exercise Using an elliptical machine and lifting weights after LASIK is permissible, so long as your workouts are light. Avoid anything high-intensity that risks sweat dripping into your eyes as this may impede the recovery process.

How long after laser eye surgery can you workout?

LASIK surgery and exercise

Safe activity guidelines after refractive surgery include: No swimming and exposing your eye to water for a minimum of 2 weeks until your eye heals. No strenuous exercise and contact sports for up to 1 month.

How many days rest is required after laser eye surgery?

Resting your eyes for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery

You can however continue with mild exercises like brisk walking, and once you are back home make sure to rest for a brief period to relax your body. You can gradually resume your routine activities with intermittent resting.

When can you exercise after laser?

However, to ensure the best outcomes and maintain the integrity of the treatment, it's essential to follow post-procedure care guidelines, including taking a short 48 hours break from exercise. By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you can enjoy smooth, hair-free skin without any complications.

What exercises should you avoid after LASIK?

Lifting dumbbells and barbells cause your body to strain in more ways than you might realize. This includes your eyes. It is best to avoid all activities that will strain your eyes while you recover from LASIK. Bodyweight workouts can be a great alternative when lifting weights is not an option.

Can I Play Sports & Workout After My Surgery?

What should be avoided after LASIK surgery?

Avoid swimming, saunas and hot tubs for 4 weeks and scuba diving for 6 weeks. You can go back to all sport activities two weeks after the surgery except swimming. For contact sports, make sure you use protective polycarbonate sports glasses.

What is the fastest way to recover from LASIK?

If you have laser eye surgery, like LASIK, here are 10 tips so you can have the best recovery possible.
  1. Keep Your Follow-Up Appointments. ...
  2. Use Your Eye Drops as Recommended. ...
  3. Get Plenty of Rest. ...
  4. Stick to Clean Environments. ...
  5. Wear Sunglasses. ...
  6. Avoid Intense Sports. ...
  7. No Makeup. ...
  8. Be Patient.

Can I go to the gym 24 hours after laser?

After your laser session:

The risk of bacterial infections also increases since the sweat might enter the freshly treated areas. For these reasons, most experts recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours after your laser session before resuming any strenuous physical activities, including gym workouts.

Can I do push ups after LASIK?

Running: You can start running again after two weeks, provided there's minimal risk of sweat entering your eyes. Push-Ups, Weight Lifting, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): These can be resumed in 2-4 weeks, depending on how well your eyes are healing.

How many days of rest is required after laser treatment?

The recovery time is up to 3 to 5 days for the non-ablative lasers, and 1 to 2 weeks for the ablative lasers. You should avoid sun exposure, or use a good sunscreen, for several weeks afterwards to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Do and don'ts after eye laser?

Be sure to keep soap out of your eye when you wash your hair, and watch out for hair spray and shaving lotion. Don't rub your eyes for at least a month. Use all eye drops, including artificial tears, that are prescribed by your doctor. Don't drive until you feel comfortable.

How long does it take to fully recover from laser eye surgery?

They can then use a laser to reshape a person's cornea to adjust a refractive error. The eye usually takes 2–3 months to heal afterward, and a person's vision is often fully stable and clear around 6 months later.

What is not allowed after LASIK?

Avoid driving until you are instructed to by your doctor. Avoid showering for the first 24 hours after surgery and be careful not to allow the shower to spray directly into your face for the first week. Avoid pools, hot tubs, saunas, and lakes for at least 3 weeks.

What is non strenuous exercise after surgery?

Consider walking five to ten minutes a day when you first get home, and slowly increasing the time you walk each week. Do not do any strenuous exercise such as contact sports, jogging, tennis, sexual activity, or body conditioning (weightlifting, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.) for at least two months after you go home.

How long after LASIK can I watch TV?

WAIT BEFORE WATCHING TV

Since your eyes are still healing, they will be especially sensitive in the first 24 hours after the LASIK procedure. So it's recommended to wait at least 24 hours before watching TV again.

Can you go for a walk after laser eye surgery?

After undergoing LASIK surgery, many patients wonder if it is safe to go outside. The good news is that for most people, going outside after LASIK is perfectly fine. In fact, many surgeons recommend taking short walks outside to help with the healing process.

Can I go to the gym after laser eye surgery?

Going to the Gym After Laser Eye Surgery

This will depend on what type of exercise you're doing at the gym, but it's typically safe to return to workouts like lifting light weights and running after about a week.

What is not normal after LASIK?

Prolonged Blurry Vision. In some cases, non-clear vision after LASIK may persist longer than expected. If your blurry vision continues for more than a few weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, redness, or sensitivity to light, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.

How long after LASIK can I shower?

Nunnery advise patients that it is okay to bathe or shower normally the day after LASIK eye surgery. Yet, for the first week after your LASIK surgery, it's important to keep water, soap, hair care products and/or washing liquids away from the eye. Do not rub your eyes while bathing or showering after LASIK.

How many days after laser can I exercise?

Avoid exercising for at least 48 hours. Avoid hot baths and hot showers for 48 hours. Avoid anything that involves chlorine (e.g. swimming) for 48 hours. Avoid make-up on the treated area for at least 48 hours.

Why can't I exercise after laser?

Skin Sensitivity – Laser hair removal can cause temporary skin redness and irritation. Exercising increases blood flow to the skin's surface, which can intensify these symptoms. Potential for Infection – Sweat and moisture produced during exercise can create an environment where bacteria can thrive.

How much downtime do you need after laser?

Ablative Lasers

Deeper treatments will naturally require more downtime but can greatly improve the skin's appearance. It significantly reduces wrinkles, lines, and pigmented spots, in addition to improving skin texture. Initial healing typically takes 7 to 10 days, with redness potentially lasting several weeks.

How long does it take for eyes to fully heal after LASIK?

During the surgery, your cornea has a flap cut into it. That flap needs time to reattach itself before it is safe to resume a normal life. A normal LASIK patient takes around three months to complete this recovery time. Some patients can take upwards of six months to a year to fully recover.

How to speed up eye healing?

Rest, proper nutrition, and staying hydrated can all help accelerate the healing process of eye dilation. Applying a cold compress for a few minutes several times a day can also reduce swelling and promote healing.

How long do I have to sleep on my back after LASIK?

After the initial days, you can sleep comfortably in any position that doesn't involve rubbing your eyes. However, pay attention to any discomfort or irritation. If you experience any, return to sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Don't forget to use prescribed eye drops diligently after LASIK surgery.

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