LASIK for Athletes

If you are an athlete—be it professional, intramural, little league, or weekends at the park—there’s no doubt that you’d rather be focused on your game than on your vision troubles. Many athletes have chosen LASIK to improve their performance, but before you decide to go under the laser beam, it is important to be informed about the procedure.

Recovery Time

Though you may notice improved vision almost as soon as you leave the doctor’s office, it takes time to recover from LASIK just as it does for any other surgery. You’ll be able to complete everyday activities like driving, reading, and cooking as soon as the day after your surgery, but if you’re an athlete, it is imperative to wait at least two weeks before getting back to strenuous physical activity so you don’t irritate your eyes or disrupt the healing process.

It might be tough to take time off from your fitness routine, but the health of your eyes is well worth the wait. To make sure your surgery doesn’t interfere with your game, schedule the procedure during your off-season or down time.

Risk of Infection

As an athlete, you are exposed to more dirt, grime, and motion than the average couch potato. Everyone has thousands of bacteria that inhabit their eyelashes and the skin around their eyes, but athletes have a greater chance of getting dirt or sweat in their eyes, which can sweep in bacteria and cause an infection.

Again, it is important to take enough time for your eyes to heal before you hit the field. Your ophthalmologist will monitor your recovery and clear you for increased physical activity as you heal.

LASIK Alternatives

For some athletes, especially those who engage in combat sports like boxing and martial arts or impact sports such as football and hockey, LASIK may not be the best option because the small flap created in the cornea during surgery can later become detached with physical trauma.

If you love throwing punches, you may want to consider PRK, an equally effective laser eye surgery that works only on the surface of the cornea, providing clear vision without creating a flap on the surface of your eye. PRK requires a slightly longer recovery time, but afterward you’ll be able to break boards with your head without worrying about damaging your eyes. Brain damage is another matter, however.

To learn more about LASIK treatment options and to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area, please contact The LASIK Directory today.