Laser anxiety. After laser vision correction, I won’t be able to travel by plane

Undergoing laser vision correction does not result in a ban on air travel.

Whether our eyes have been recently operated on or not, passengers (especially on long flights) are plagued by the same problem: the air on the plane is dry and the eyes get tired faster. For those who have recently undergone laser vision correction, this is doubly difficult, as dryness of the eye mucosa is one of the (usually temporary) side effects of the procedure.

First, we often consider going abroad for laser vision correction, which usually involves a round trip by plane. Meanwhile, in the case of ophthalmology, we have the opportunity to benefit from the latest medical advances locally, in Poland, and there is no need to move around the world.

During a coronavirus pandemic, travel comes with additional risks. Therefore, before deciding to look for an ophthalmology clinic in the West, it is worth noting that Western standards of diagnosis, treatment and pre- and post-operative care apply at the SwissLaser clinic.

Secondly, the humidity level in the airplane remains at 10-20%, which is conducive not only to the drying of mucous membranes, but also to the transmission of infections. If we have recently undergone laser vision correction and our eyes are still in the healing stage, such a situation involves not only the risk of significant discomfort, but most importantly the risk of infection and completely unnecessary health complications. So if you are traveling by air shortly after laser eye surgery, it is imperative that you make sure to hydrate your eyes frequently – even every hour – and drink plenty of water, refraining from liquids that cause dehydration (alcohol, coffee, tea).

When traveling, it’s a good idea to limit reading, working on the computer or watching movies. If you have very tired eyes, you can wear sunglasses or a special travel blindfold (one with a bulge on the eyes so you can open them freely under the blindfold).

Third, the flight can simply… sleep.

Specialists are of the opinion that to decide to fly on a plane at the earliest two weeks after the procedure laser vision correction. Elevated sensitivity of the eyes after the procedure sometimes persists for up to six months, which means that for any airplane flight you need to remember to moisturize your eyes frequently with drops to avoid irritation.