Day of surgery

• The day of surgery should be a day of rest.
• Always be very careful about activities where the eye may be poked, rubbed or touched.
• Always avoid rubbing eyes. (Rubbing is never a good idea – instead, use lubricant drops for irritation).
• Avoid staring without lubricating the eyes.
• Take a bath instead of a shower. Avoid soap and water in the eyes.

24 hours after surgery

• Shower (but continue to avoid any soap or water in the eyes).
• Restrict movement to light activities. Work should probably be avoided. Work at home is acceptable.
• Driving short distances after the eye examination is acceptable if adequate vision is confirmed at the post-operative evaluation.
• Reading and watching TV is acceptable as long as adequate eye lubrication is maintained.
• Flying in airplanes is acceptable, but keep eyes generously lubricated (every 30 minutes) – airplanes have very dry air.

48 hours after surgery

• Apply face makeup (but not eye makeup).
• Do office work.
  

Day 3 activities

• Exercise without risk to the eyes (e.g. treadmill, Stairmaster, stationary bike).
• Playing with children (be careful).
• Use computers (but it is very important to keep eyes well-lubricated).
• Moderate alcohol consumption may be resumed.
• Lifting weights.
• Long distance driving (1 hour +).

Day 7 activities

• Applying eye makeup (avoid touching the eyes).
• Jogging outdoors.
• Rollerblading.
• Relaxed bicycling (no mountain biking).
• Playing golf.
• Sun-tanning and salon tanning (wear eye protection).
• Sauna and steamroom.
• Using a hair dryer (avoid blowing air directly in the eyes).

Day 14 activities

• Hockey.

Activities that can
begin at 1 month
with eye protection

• Racquet sports – tennis, squash, racquetball, badminton (but always wear eye protection).
• Swimming; scuba diving; snorkeling.
• Sailing.
• Motorcycling; dirt biking; mountain biking.
• Parachuting.
• Baseball; basketball; football; soccer.
• Skiing.
• Riding roller coasters.
• Dying hair (including eyebrows).

Activities that can
begin at 3 months
with eye protection

Proceed with caution as these activities have a high risk of water being forced into the eyes:

• Water skiing; wind surfing; surfing.
• Kayaking.
• Martial arts and boxing (training without contact can start at 1 month).