Guide to Alcohol and Laser Eye Surgery

Updated for 2025

Whether you enjoy a glass of wine after a stressful day, a few pints at the pub with pals, or a flute of bubbly on those special occasions, alcohol is often a common fixture in our lives. Alcohol is enjoyable and usually nothing to be too concerned about when consumed in moderation – but what about if you’re planning to have Laser Eye Surgery? What are the rules for drinking alcohol before and after your procedure?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll be answering these questions in detail so you can embrace your Laser Eye Surgery treatment feeling as prepared as possible.

A Brief Overview

We’ll be covering this topic in some detail, but first, let’s summarise some of the key points:

• Alcohol is best avoided – or at least consumed sparingly (one or two drinks is enough!) – on the night before your Laser Eye Surgery treatment;
• If you do consume alcohol in the 24 hours before your treatment, drink plenty of water to compensate for any dehydration;
• Do not drink any alcohol on the day of your treatment – before or after the surgery;
• Refrain from drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours following your procedure;
• Consume alcohol sparingly in the days following this initial period.

That all sounds pretty doable, right? Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at everything you need to know about Laser Eye Surgery and alcohol.

Alcohol and Surgery: A Risky Combination

It should be fairly obvious that alcohol and surgery don’t mix – and this goes for Laser Eye Surgery, too. While it may not be as invasive as some other types of surgery, it is important to remember that Laser Eye Surgery is still a surgical procedure that should be treated with caution and respect. It may not require a period of fasting or a long and painful recovery, but certain rules should still be observed.

Yet, it is also important to note the differences between Laser Eye Surgery and some more conventional procedures.

The eye is an incredibly complex organ, and yet, its impressive healing power often means that Laser Eye Surgery can offer patients more flexibility than some other procedures – including when it comes to alcohol consumption. Nonetheless, before we get to the dos and don’ts of Laser Eye Surgery and alcohol, let’s understand why surgery and alcohol don’t really mix.

The sobering effects of alcohol on the body

As you may know, alcohol is a depressant. This means that it slows down messages between the brain and the body. When consumed in larger amounts, this can lead to slurred speech, poor coordination, and impaired judgement – to name just a few of the not-so-fun effects of alcohol.

But these external physical side effects are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how alcohol affects the body. When we drink alcohol, we are also potentially slowing down -or depressing – many of the body’s vital functions.

Blood Flow and Swelling

For example, alcohol can cause our blood to thin, affecting its ability to clot. In turn, this makes it more difficult to stop the flow of blood after an injury. As you might expect, this can have serious implications if you happen to have had a few drinks before surgery. For example, it can make it more difficult to stop blood loss during the procedure and make it harder to control swelling afterwards, which can potentially lead to further complications.

Dehydration

Alcohol is extremely dehydrating – despite being consumed in liquid form. You might have noticed that you seem to need the toilet more frequently when you are drinking alcohol. That’s because alcohol makes it more difficult for your body to absorb and retain water. Of course, this is just a minor inconvenience when you’re enjoying a few drinks at the pub, but when it comes to alcohol and surgery, the implications can be much more serious.

These risks may be less problematic in Laser Eye Surgery; however, it is important to acknowledge their existence and to act to minimise them.

Dehydration affects your eyes, too

If you are naturally prone to dry eyes, or experience symptoms when wearing contact lenses, you might notice that this gets worse when you drink alcohol. That’s because alcohol’s dehydrating effects also impact your eyes.

Alcohol not only makes it more difficult for our bodies to retain water but also to release the water it has stored. This can affect moisture levels throughout our bodies – including in our eyes. In fact, several studies have linked alcohol consumption with dry eye syndrome.

Thankfully, in most cases, a good night’s sleep and a few glasses of water are all we need to bounce back. However, regularly consuming excessive amounts of alcohol – particularly when paired with sleeping in or over-wearing contact lenses – can lead to more severe dry eye symptoms.

The bottom line is, that dehydration can have a significant impact on your overall eye health. So, always be sure to drink sufficient amounts of water to stay hydrated in the run-up to any surgical procedure. This can help to reduce the risk of some complications or interruptions and ensure that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible.

A Touch of Dutch Courage Before Laser Eye Surgery

Many of us will have felt like we’d benefit from a little Dutch Courage under certain circumstances – particularly if we’re feeling nervous or apprehensive. Pre-surgery nerves can often make this tempting in the days before your Laser Eye Surgery treatment. But you may also be concerned about the potential implications on the safety and outcomes of your procedure.

Well, the good news is that, in most cases, it is completely safe to stick to the normal recommended alcohol intake in the week running up to your treatment. Of course, this advice does come with some limitations.

We always recommend that you limit your alcohol consumption on the night before your surgery.  Ideally, you will abstain from drinking altogether (particularly if you have a morning appointment). However, you shouldn’t exceed one or two drinks in the 24 hours before your treatment. Generally, a glass of wine the evening before you head to the clinic is nothing to worry about – just don’t overdo it! If you show up to the clinic after a night of heavy drinking, the clinic will likely refuse to perform your procedure.

While these limitations may seem like a bit of an inconvenience, we’re sure you’ll agree that your safety is more important. Moreover, given the vision benefits you can expect from a smooth Laser Eye Surgery procedure, most patients are happy to forego the alcohol for a while. The good news is, it won’t be long til you can celebrate your new and improved vision with a glass of your favourite tipple!

Getting boozy on the day of your treatment

As you have probably assumed based on the previous segment of our guide, drinking alcohol on the day of your surgery is a no-go. If you show up to the clinic after attending a boozy lunch, you will be refused treatment. So, if you have been planning a bottomless brunch with friends – you should probably reschedule!

While we rarely have to turn patients away for alcohol consumption, alcohol can cause other problems on the day of your surgery – and not for the reason you might think.

This isn’t down to drinks, but other kinds of alcoholic preparations – namely, perfumes, colognes, and hair products! While these items hold no risk of impairing your senses, they can affect the transmission of the technology used during your procedure.

We must control the environment in the operating theatre to ensure all our equipment is working at optimum levels. This includes limiting anything that could get in the way of the laser’s journey to the eye. So, we recommend that you check the ingredients in your go-to products and refrain from wearing them to the clinic on surgery day.

This rule also applies to all makeup products – particularly eye makeup like eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara – should also be removed before surgery.

Toasting your new vision after Laser Eye Surgery

While recovery from Laser Eye Surgery can differ from patient to patient, it is often an overwhelming experience. After all, as your eyes heal, you will continually discover the gradual improvement in your vision – indeed, many people notice an immediate difference!

Not only can this mean saying goodbye to glasses, contact lenses, and all the inconveniences of your former refractive error, but you will also be freed from many limitations you used to experience when it comes to sports, driving, and countless other hobbies. And as we mentioned earlier, most patients don’t have to wait too long to raise a glass to their new and improved vision. But what does this actually mean?

Being aware of when it is safe to enjoy that first drink after your surgery can be crucial for a smooth and complication-free recovery. All patients must avoid drinking alcohol in the 24 hours following their recovery.

The good news? You could be enjoying your favourite cocktail the very next day! Of course, this will be determined on a case-by-case basis at your first aftercare appointment. Your surgeon will be able to give you tailored advice based on the treatment you had and your recovery progress.

Drinking alcohol and supporting your recovery

Even if your surgeon does give you the go-ahead to drink alcohol at your one-day follow-up appointment, remember to take it slowly. Your eyes might be well on their way to recovery, but it can take several weeks until they are fully healed. Moreover, this can vary significantly depending on the treatment you had and your personal recovery rate.

Always be sure to stick to the aftercare guidance provided by your clinic. This will help to minimise the risk of complications and make for an all-round smoother recovery.

Finally, let’s take a look at some of the things you should keep in mind when reintroducing alcohol after Laser Eye Surgery.

Alcohol-Induced Dehydration

Dry eyes is a common post-operative side effect of Laser Eye Surgery. While this can cause discomfort, dry eyes are usually nothing to worry about and can be effectively managed with the lubricating eye drops provided by your clinic.

However, as we mentioned earlier, alcohol can increase your risk of dry eye symptoms. Limiting your alcohol intake can help to mitigate this risk. In fact, avoiding alcohol is one of the top five ways to avoid further discomfort as a result of post-operative dry eyes.

Decreased Attention when Consuming Alcohol

Recovery from Laser Eye Surgery can be surprisingly speedy and straightforward. However, this can be largely down to how well you stick to the aftercare guidelines in the days and weeks following your treatment. As mentioned above, this includes following an eye drop routine to help keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable. But there are other things to be aware of.

For example, you should avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible as this can cause irritation and increase the risk of some complications. While this might sound easy, it is certain to become less easy – and easier to forget – after a few alcoholic beverages. This is another good reason for drinking responsibly during your Laser Eye Surgery recovery.

Final Words

Alcohol consumption can have some significant implications for the success of surgical procedures – both before and after the procedure itself. While in many ways, Laser Eye Surgery is less restrictive than other forms of surgery, it remains important to be mindful of your alcohol intake in the days before and after your treatment.

Still, you will likely be pleased to hear that you will most likely be able to raise a toast to your new vision before you know it! Although, let’s face it – you’ll be enjoying your new and improved vision regardless of whether there’s a drink in your hand! So, however you decide to celebrate, here’s to you and your new, glasses-free vision!

If you’d like to learn more about what you can expect from your Laser Eye Surgery recovery, our friendly clinic coordinators are always on hand to help. Alternatively, to find out if you could be suitable for treatment, Book a Consultation today.

Laser Eye Treatment Fees start from £6,200 for both eyes. Very complex treatments may cost more.

Interest-FREE finance available over THREE years, from £87 per month for both eyes, makes the best more flexible. Find out more.

This article has been updated for 2025.