Recovery travel guide
LASIK recovery, day by day
Vision clears fast, but the corneal flap needs protecting. The rules are about not rubbing, no water in the eyes, no eye make-up, no dust or smoke, and sunglasses outdoors.
When the limits lift
Within the 7 days this guide covers, according to the cited guidance:
- Rubbing and touching your eyes: still off-limits on day 7. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Swimming, hot tubs and steam: still off-limits on day 7. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Eye make-up and creams: still off-limits on day 7. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.
- Exercise and sport: with care from day 1.
- Sun, wind, dust and smoke: with care from day 1.
- Screens and reading: with care from day 1, OK from day 2.
- Flying home: with care from day 1.
Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.
At a glance
- How long to stay
- 3 to 5 days: surgery, a check the next day and often a second check before you fly
- What the rules are about
- Vision clears fast, but the corneal flap needs protecting. The rules are about not rubbing, no water in the eyes, no eye make-up, no dust or smoke, and sunglasses outdoors.
Recovery timeline
- Day 1
Check-up at the clinic. Rest your eyes, use the drops on schedule and wear the shield to sleep.
- Days 2 to 3
Light, non-contact activity can start after 1 to 3 days. Sunglasses outdoors, no rubbing, no eye make-up.
- Days 4 to 7
Normal sightseeing. Exercise bikes and walking are fine; jogging usually after a week. Still no swimming, hot tubs or steam.
- Weeks 2 to 8
No swimming or hot tubs for 1 to 2 months. No contact sports until your surgeon clears you.
Activity rules, day by day
Sun, water, exertion, heat, alcohol and flying, for each day of a typical stay. Every rule is sourced on the day pages.
| Rule | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubbing and touching your eyes | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Swimming, hot tubs and steam | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Eye make-up and creams | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today | Not today |
| Exercise and sport | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
| Sun, wind, dust and smoke | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
| Screens and reading | With care | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Flying home | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care | With care |
✕ Not today ! With care ✓ OK
Day by day
Day 1
The morning-after check is the main event. Rest your eyes for most of the day, keep screen time short and wear the shield when you nap or sleep.
All rules for day 1, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Non-contact activity can start 1 to 3 days after surgery, depending on how you feel and your surgeon's advice. Keep it to walking for now.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Day 2
Vision is usually much clearer. A short, easy outing with sunglasses is fine. Avoid dusty, windy and smoky places.
What changes today:
- Screens and reading: now OK
All rules for day 2, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Non-contact activity can start 1 to 3 days after surgery, depending on how you feel and your surgeon's advice. Keep it to walking for now.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Day 3
You can manage a normal half-day of gentle sightseeing. Keep the drops with you and use them on schedule.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 3, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Non-contact activity can start 1 to 3 days after surgery, depending on how you feel and your surgeon's advice. Keep it to walking for now.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Day 4
Light exercise that does not risk your eyes, such as a walk or an exercise bike, is fine for most people now.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 4, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Exercise that does not risk your eyes, like an exercise bike, is usually fine from about day 3; jogging and aerobics from about a week. No contact sports.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Day 5
Full sightseeing days are fine. Boats are fine too, but wear sunglasses against wind and spray.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 5, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Exercise that does not risk your eyes, like an exercise bike, is usually fine from about day 3; jogging and aerobics from about a week. No contact sports.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Day 6
Most clinics book a second check before you fly. Ask about swimming, make-up and screens.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 6, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Exercise that does not risk your eyes, like an exercise bike, is usually fine from about day 3; jogging and aerobics from about a week. No contact sports.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Day 7
Around a week in, jogging and aerobic exercise are usually allowed. Water sports, hot tubs and contact sports are still out.
The rules are the same as yesterday.
All rules for day 7, with sources
Rubbing and touching your eyes
Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing can shift the flap. Wear the shield while you sleep.
Swimming, hot tubs and steam
No swimming and no hot tubs or whirlpools for 1 to 2 months (FDA). Clinics also say no steam room or sauna for at least a month.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Eye make-up and creams
No lotions, creams or make-up around the eyes for up to two weeks, or until your doctor says otherwise.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Exercise and sport
Exercise that does not risk your eyes, like an exercise bike, is usually fine from about day 3; jogging and aerobics from about a week. No contact sports.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Sun, wind, dust and smoke
Wear sunglasses outdoors. Keep away from dust, wind and smoke, including nargile cafés, while the eye surface heals.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology · Optegra Eye Hospitals
Screens and reading
Short sessions only and blink often. Use the drops your surgeon gave you.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Flying home
Most clinics let you fly after your check-up. Cabin air is very dry, so carry your drops and use them on the plane.
Source: Optegra Eye Hospitals
Recovering abroad? Pick your city
The city guides add what to see, what to skip and where to eat on each of these days.
LASIK
Istanbul
7 days, day by day. Vision clears fast, but the corneal flap needs protecting.
Open the guide
Questions
Can I swim with goggles after LASIK?
Some clinics allow swimming with well-fitting goggles earlier than without, but goggles press around the eyes. Ask your surgeon; the FDA timeline is 1 to 2 months.
Can I shower after LASIK?
Yes, but keep water, soap and shampoo out of your eyes, and do not rub them.
Questions people ask
Sources
- What should I expect during and after LASIK surgery?. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Checked 2 November 2026.
- LASIK: laser eye surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Checked 2 November 2026.
- How soon after laser eye surgery can I...?. Optegra Eye Hospitals (clinic aftercare guide). Checked 2 November 2026.