The season is upon us to start making summer travel plans. Packing for vacation includes crossing to-dos off your itemized checklist. A suitcase full of clothes for your many adventures? Check. Sunscreen to protect the skin while soaking up the sun? Check. Travel, itinerary, passport and tickets? Check, check and check. Prescription glasses, back up readers, contact lens replacements and contact lens solution? No need to check those off the list when you have LASIK eye surgery at 406-252-6608. For those who rely on glasses or contact lenses, LASIK surgery offers the freedom to enjoy summer vacations without the hassle of visual aids. Whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a hiking expedition or a cultural exploration, clear vision is essential to fully immerse yourself in the memory-making experience. Below you’ll find ways to enhance your summer vacation with LASIK plus travel tips for clear vision.

One of the greatest benefits of LASIK is immediate improvement to vision with little to no downtime. In fact, most patients resume normal activities within a day or two post-surgery. For a smooth and stress-free journey, keep some proactive tips in mind to enjoy your best vacation yet by planning ahead. Before scheduling your LASIK surgery, consider your upcoming travel plans and discuss them with your surgeon. Your doctor can provide personalized recommendations based on your schedule and help you plan the timing of your procedure accordingly. To promote optimal healing and minimize the risk of complications, it’s imperative to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions diligently. This may include using prescribed eye drops, wearing protective eyewear and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. During your travels, take precautions to protect your eyes from potential hazards such as dry air, sun exposure and environmental debris. Stay hydrated, wear sunglasses outdoors and avoid rubbing or touching your eyes unnecessarily. Remember each patient is different and while recovery is generally quick for most people, and it may be tempting to jump into vacation plans and other long-awaited activities, allowing your eyes to heal properly is essential for long-term success and visual clarity.

There are no travel restrictions placed upon LASIK patients including air travel. While flying itself is not a concern, the dry air and changes in cabin pressure inside an airplane can exacerbate post-operative dry eye symptoms. It’s recommended to avoid flying for at least a few days to a week after LASIK to allow your eyes to heal and minimize discomfort. Bringing along lubricating eye drops in your carry-on bag should do the trick. Summer vacation, however, often includes water activities and this is where patients need to proceed with more caution. Engaging in water activities such as swimming, diving or water skiing can introduce bacteria and other contaminants into your eyes, increasing the risk of infection during the critical healing period after LASIK. It’s advisable to avoid swimming and water-related activities for at least two weeks following surgery, or until your surgeon gives you the green light. Lastly, extreme sporting activities that could expose the eyes to dirt, debris or even impact pose risk of injury to the eyes and could interfere with the healing process. 

Ridding your line of sight from glasses and contacts opens a whole new world of possibilities. Take this opportunity to embrace the beauty and warmth of summer with your newly improved vision. To enhance your summer vacation with LASIK, contact The Eye Clinic Surgicenter at 406-252-6608 or WEBSITE.