How soon can I go back to work after laser eye surgery?

If you're thinking about laser eye surgery, it's natural to wonder how it will affect your routine, especially work. One of the most common questions we hear is: "How soon can I go back to work after laser eye surgery?"

The answer depends on the procedure you have, the type of work you do, and how your eyes respond to healing.

In this blog, we'll break it down so you know what to expect and how to plan ahead.

Quick overview: LASIK, LASEK, and TransPRK

There are different types of laser eye surgery, and each has a slightly different recovery timeline:

• LASIK: Most people can return to desk-based work in 1–2 days
• LASEK: Recovery takes longer — most need 5–7 days off
• TransPRK: Similar to LASEK, with a recovery of about 5–7 days.

Everyone heals at a different pace, so we give you personalised advice after your procedure.

What affects when you can go back to work?

Here are some of the factors we consider:

• Type of job: Are you working at a computer, driving, outdoors, or in a dusty environment?
• Lighting conditions: Bright or low light can cause strain in the early days.
• Exposure risks: If your job involves risk of getting something in your eyes (e.g., construction or lab work), you may need more time off.
• Screen time: Staring at screens can increase dryness and delay recovery if done too soon.

Returning to a desk job

If you've had LASIK, most people feel ready to return to desk-based work within 1–2 days.

That said, we recommend:

• Taking regular breaks from the screen
• Using lubricating eye drops as needed
• Adjusting screen brightness to reduce strain.

With LASEK or TransPRK, you may need a full week off, as the surface of your eye takes longer to heal and you may feel more discomfort in the first few days.

Jobs that require driving

You'll need to wait until your vision meets the legal driving standard. We usually confirm this at your day 1 or week 1 follow-up.

Most LASIK patients are cleared to drive within 24–48 hours. For LASEK and TransPRK, this can take up to a week or more.

Manual labour or outdoor work

If your job involves:

• Dust
• Smoke
• Debris
• Strong winds or bright sunlight

you may need 7–10 days off or longer. Wearing protective glasses may also be recommended when you return.

What if I work in healthcare or hospitality?

For roles that require lots of people interaction or being in high-risk environments, we often advise waiting at least 5–7 days, depending on the procedure.

Your eyes need time to heal, and we want to avoid any risk of infection or irritation.

When will my vision be clear enough to work?

After LASIK, many patients see well enough to work the next day, though your vision may fluctuate for a few days.

After LASEK or TransPRK, your vision improves more gradually. Some blurriness is normal for the first few days, with sharper vision returning by week 1 or 2.

Tips to make your return to work easier

• Plan a buffer: If possible, schedule surgery before a weekend or short break.
• Bring eye drops: Especially if you're in air conditioning or staring at screens.
• Take screen breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Wear sunglasses outdoors: To protect against light sensitivity.

Final thoughts

Most patients return to work quickly, especially after LASIK. But your recovery is personal, and we'll give you tailored advice to keep your eyes safe and your results on track.

Take our free self-test to find out if you're a good candidate for laser eye surgery.