How Long Do I Have to Wait After Lasik?

[keruxts]

I had the lasik procedure three weeks ago and need to know how long I have to wait until I dive to any depth. I did a little diving last week (don't tell my doc) but it was in a river and only to about 10' practicing with our dive team. I have had two docs give me two different answers - one said two weeks and the other said a month.

Any answers, thoughts, horror stories....let me have um.

 

[bleeb]

DAN's current recommendation: 4 weeks if you don't have any complications, but there hasn't been a lot of data.

DAN Divers Alert Network : Diving After Lasik Surgery

 

[muddiver]

You should ask the doctor that did the procedure. My doctor said that I could dive after 30 days. I waited more like four months to be safe.

 

[Benthic]

When I had the procedure done, my surgeon recommended staying out for 3-4 weeks. He said that his primary concern was the possibility of infection due to water getting in my eyes, not the pressure associated with depth.

Brian

 

[keruxts]

You should ask the doctor that did the procedure. My doctor said that I could dive after 30 days. I waited more like four months to be safe.

I had mine done at TLC - apparently the "big box store" of Lasik. The doc that did the procedure (they fly him in like some sort of ophthalmological rock star)isn't the one who did the initial screening or any of the follow-ups. From one doc I heard two weeks from the other four weeks. From one doc I heard the risk of infection issue from the other "pressure issues." That's why I was wondering how people on this board have handled it.

 

[Paco II]

I waited until I had my 6 week follow-up (some I think have a 1 month follow-up), at which point I got the green light from my doctor.

Why rush it? It's your eyes. Not worth the risk.

 

[gert7to3]

Which type of lasik procedure did you have? The one where they cut a flap of cornea and laser the stroma (center part of the cornea or was it laser only?

 

[keruxts]

Which type of lasik procedure did you have? The one where they cut a flap of cornea and laser the stroma (center part of the cornea or was it laser only?

It was laser only.

 

[archman]

I think most people are being told 4-6 weeks, and to "take things slow" for up to three months.

I was told 6 weeks for water activities. I went back in the pool right at six weeks, no problemo.