Working out after LASIK

scg17
scg17 Posts: 88 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,
I'm getting LASIK on the 21st, and I need some suggestions of low-intensity exercises. I know I can walk (I'm hoping to get permission to ride my horse after the first week), but it says no exercise the 1st week, no strenuous exercise the first month. Typically I do hot yoga 1x-2x per week (probably not safe for a while after surgery), ride 3x per week, and lift 2-3x per week. I can't swim for a month after the surgery. So, hike, walk, hula hoop, normal yoga? Light lifting? Anyone do fun stuff that isn't too heart pounding? Has anyone had LASIK? Thanks!

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Part of the prohibition against hard exercise is the fear that the sweat will get in your eyes and cause an infection. Hot Yoga sounds like a terrible idea when trying to avoid sweating
  • scg17
    scg17 Posts: 88 Member
    Haha, yeah. I assume hot yoga is out as long as swimming is (one month), at least. I'm going to talk to the doc today--if it's more just a fear of sweat and not heart rate, I'll get one of those 80's sweatbands :) And I'm going to see if they'll let me ride if I wear the nifty goggles (I don't sweat much when I ride, but there is a lot of dust and dirt.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Yeah no way I'd be on a horse after that.

    Let them heal.

    I had PRK which is different than LASIK- but I couldn't do ANYTHING for like 4-5 days- I just sat in a semi dark room and tried to watch TV after the first 2-3 days- which also didn't even work out well for me. (pain + not seeing + sand paper feeling = do nothing)

    listen to your doctor- go for a walk. You only have 1 pair of eyes- don't mess them up now that they are fixed!!!!
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    If anything at all gets in to irritate your eyes it could blind you permanently... Think about that for a bit before wondering if you really should take time off.

    I had LASIK done in the winter a few years ago - purposely picking time in my off-season when it was not a big deal to avoid doing too much.
  • scg17
    scg17 Posts: 88 Member
    Good points. I ride year round, but I had to take two months off for my hip surgery, so I guess this won't be the end of the world. I just have to see about paying someone to exercise my horse.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    I've had LASIK. My eyes healed very quickly, and I had zero problems. I see 20/20 in one eye, and 20/15 in the other. So my procedure went really well.

    No way would I be anywhere there might be flying dust, dirt, bugs, anything like that without goggles. You don't want to be around anything that might tempt you into rubbing around your eyes.

    The pain if you get something in them before they're healed ... if you've ever had a scratched cornea, it's like that. Excruciating. And the only thing you can do is drip sterile drops across your eye and hope to wash it away ...

    Plus, you don't want to be jacking around with your blood pressure while your eye structure is compromised. Really, really bad idea.

    Just so many ways it could all go wrong. I used to ride, so I know. You can't ever be 100% sure that this ride isn't the one where something goes haywire and you end up on the ground. Not worth the risk.
  • scg17
    scg17 Posts: 88 Member
    Just as an update: Did my preop, doc was fine with everything except strenuous activities. He told me I could ride within two days if I wanted (I was shocked and asked about dust, he said it will hurt but won't ruin anything). I'll probably just give it a week, then be the cool kid in ski googles at the barn. I'm going to say a month on hot yoga and intense exercise.

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