When can water touch my eyes after epiLASIK?

It is best not to let tap water or any other substances (and that includes sweat, make-up etc) get in contact with your eyes for up to 5 days post epiLASIK. This is because there may be germs which can cause you to get an infection.

After 1.5 weeks post-op, it is definitely OK to wash your face and hair with your eyes closed. This is because your surface epithelium cells would have healed and you may also resume light sports such as jogging and yoga 1.5 weeks after a surface-based epiLASIK procedure.

Dr. Tony Ho

I generally caution my epilasik patients to refrain from any water contact with the eyes for a week after the procedure, and that means no splashing of any tap water etc into the eyes when showering and watching face.

Also no eye make up for at least two weeks. If it is necessary to wear eye makeup, go slow with a new set, preferably after 2 weeks. A previous air stewardess patient of mine took more than 3 weeks off work after her epilasik as she was required to wear thick eye make up at work.

Also, no swimming / hot spring/ onsen / eye massage or eye mask for 4 weeks.

Hope that helps!

Cheerio!

Dr Daphne Han

The question of water into the eyes after epi-lasik is a common one. In general, once your eyes are comfortable, and the bandage contact lenses have been removed, most patients are fine to have casual contact with water again.

Do be careful though as the epithelium is just recovering from surgery, that you don't irritate the eye, nor rub it too vigorously as this may disrupt the covering epithelium over the eye.

Congratulations on your recent surgery!

ESG