When is it Safe to Swim After Eye Surgery?

If you're a swimmer, it's important to wait four weeks after cataract surgery before taking a dip in a pool or natural body of water. However, if you wear goggles, you can start swimming as soon as two weeks after the procedure. It's essential to give your eye time to heal properly before getting back in the water. Immediately after surgery, swimming should be avoided.

For two to four weeks, stay away from swimming pools and for up to eight weeks, avoid rivers and lakes. This is because seawater contains organisms that could damage a cornea that has been affected by refractive surgical procedures. Even chlorinated pools can cause problems with foreign particles entering the incisions that are healing. Laser cataract surgery is a process that uses cutting-edge laser technology to disintegrate and remove cataracts from the eye.

People in their 40s will experience natural eye changes when eye proteins start to break down. Swimming after cataract surgery is one of the most important activities to avoid while recovering from the procedure.

Tylock-George Eye Care & Laser Center

serves residents of Allen, Arlington, Bedford, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Euless, Fort Worth, Frisco, Ft Worth, Garland, Hurst, Irving, Las Colinas, Mansfield, McKinney, Plano, Richardson and surrounding communities in Texas. Swimming pools may contain higher levels of bacteria that could lead to eye infections as well as dirt and sand particles that can irritate the eyes.

There has been some concern that the pressure exerted while diving could cause injury to an eye undergoing laser surgical procedures but this worry is largely unfounded.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *