When Can I Fly After Laser Eye Surgery?

Undergoing Laser Eye Surgery is accompanied by a huge number of questions, from when to book your initial consultation to when you can get back to normal life after your treatment. You might initially be concerned about the outcomes you can expect or how soon you can get back to work. But for some, there is another appointment in the calendar to be considered.

So, how soon can you fly after having Laser Eye Surgery?

Many of us spend months looking forward to our next jet-setting trip. Whether it’s a quick city break to Europe or a week or two by the sea sipping cocktails, holidays are easy to get excited about. Of course, for others, there may be other reasons for hopping on a plane.

For example, you might be visiting family or attending a business conference abroad. Or perhaps you’re even planning to travel to London for your Laser Eye Surgery treatment! But whatever your reason for topping up your air miles, you will likely want to know when it will be safe for you to fly after Laser Eye surgery.

Getting on a Plane After Laser Eye Surgery

You might assume that you’ll be required to stay grounded for a long period during your recovery from Laser Eye Surgery treatment. But many people are surprised to learn just how fast their recovery could be. Moreover, most patients can get back to many normal activities even quicker – and this can potentially include jet-setting!

Having access to the latest technology and the expertise of world-renowned surgeons helps to make our Laser Eye Surgery treatment safe, effective, and convenient. The vast majority of patients can even fit the procedure around a hectic work schedule and be heading back to work within 24 hours.

In most cases, Laser Eye Surgery won’t keep you off that plane for very long, either. In fact, most people will be fit to fly just 24 hours after their treatment. This means that you could be heading off on that adventure the very next day!

Your one-day follow-up appointment at the clinic will determine when exactly you will be ready to fly after Laser Eye Surgery. During this appointment, your surgeon will assess your recovery so far to ensure everything is going according to plan.

Patients who have had LASIK or ReLEx SMILE treatment will likely be signed off to travel, drive, and resume several other activities. However, recovery times will be longer if you have had a surface procedure (PRK or LASEK). Moreover, even if you are signed off to hop on that plane, there are some things to bear in mind.

Looking after your eyes on the plane

Let’s face it, planes aren’t renowned for being the most hygienic or accommodating environments at the best of times. But when you’ve got sensitive, recovering eyes to consider, this can be particularly problematic. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy while you travel.

Don’t forget your eye drops!

Dry eyes are one of the most common post-operative symptoms following Laser Eye Surgery. This can be exacerbated when your eyes are exposed to dry environments – such as that in the cabin of a plane. But in most cases, this symptom can be easily managed with the help of lubricating eye drops, which will be provided as part of your aftercare routine.

It is important to keep these eye drops with you at all times during your recovery – particularly when travelling. These drops can help to keep your eyes hydrated and alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with dry eyes. You should also be sure to drink plenty of water to help keep your eyes lubricated.

Avoid rubbing your eyes!

Planes can be breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and magnets for dust and dirt. In the days and weeks following your treatment, it is particularly important to protect your eyes from these dangers.

Be extra careful not to touch or rub your eyes. Not only can this make any discomfort worse, but it can also transfer dust and bacteria, which can increase your risk of an eye infection. You may also wish to wipe down any hard surfaces around your seat, such as your arm rest and tray table.

The Good Part – Freedom from Glasses and Contacts

Let’s face it, glasses and contact lenses can be an inconvenience at the best of times. But the associated irritations of external visual aids can become all the more apparent when it’s time to worry about packing for a holiday or business trip.

As if travelling isn’t stressful enough, what with the endless queueing, security checks, and rushes to the gate. The added burden of your visual aids can be almost too much.

Now you have to think about how many pairs of back-up glasses to take with you – you don’t want to be caught short if you lose or break a pair! Or whether your bottle of saline solution is too big to go in your hand luggage. Those of us stuck with glasses or contact lenses are likely used to having these worries whirring around our brain.

With Laser Eye Surgery, most people can finally forget about all these concerns. While it cannot be guaranteed that you won’t need glasses after your treatment, this is the case for many of our patients. That means you could finally leave those pesky glasses and contact lenses at home – or even throw them in the bin – while you enjoy jet-setting around the world.

If you have any more questions about travelling after Laser Eye Surgery, or would like to learn more about our treatment options, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to start your journey to clear vision!