If you’ve already booked a trip that involves air travel—or you’re just thinking about flying—you’re probably wondering how soon you can safely fly after cataract surgery.

The simple answer; The Civil Aviation Authority advise that you can fly a day after cataract surgery. There isn’t any risk to your recovery as your eyes cannot be harmed by the altitude and pressure inside the cabin - although this is not the case if you have had some other forms of eye surgery.

… but how soon you can fly also depends on the regulations of your particular airline (so make sure that you check before booking), whether or not your eye specialist or GP thinks you’ve sufficiently recovered and if you yourself feel ready.

Your vision could still be compromised for a week or more as you heal, which may make you feel uneasy about travelling just yet and, if you need glasses or contacts, you may need to wait several weeks before you’re ready for an eye test.

Dry eyes etc.

When you’re ready to fly—be that one day or weeks after surgery— it may be a good idea to pop a new, unopened bottle of lubricating eye drops into your hand luggage as air travel can cause uncomfortably dry eyes. Make sure to pack any other medication that you may have been prescribed as well.

Follow-up care

Could your travel plans interfere with your follow-up care? This might be the biggest reason why you should delay your travel plans or not book anything until you have covered all bases.

You’ll have post-operative check-ups with your community optometrist and your surgeon by phone call, video call or in person at the clinic. They’ll want to make sure that you’re healing properly as well as make sure that there aren’t any complications.

Travel insurance

The advice is to get travel insurance before any trip away, but be sure to check through the small print carefully as you may be required to inform them of any recent surgery. Even though cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure, it’s still surgery. Also, be aware that this could increase the cost of your travel insurance.

We’re here to help

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch so that we can advise and alleviate any concerns that you may have before booking that all important holiday.