When Can You Return to Contact Sports After LASIK?
Published by on November 7, 2025
Many patients at Kugler Vision choose LASIK because it offers the freedom to perform at their best—without the limitations of glasses or contacts. But if you play football, basketball, martial arts, or any other contact sport, you may be wondering how long you’ll need to sit out after surgery. It’s a smart question, and recovery timelines can vary depending on the activity. In this article, we’ll break down what you can expect and when it’s safe to get back in the game. Schedule a consultation with Kugler Vision to find out if LASIK is the right option for your active lifestyle.
When can you return to contact sports after LASIK?
Most patients at Kugler Vision can return to contact sport activities like basketball, racquetball, or football about one month after LASIK, provided they wear proper eye protection. This timeline allows the cornea and the tissue around the flap created during LASIK eye surgery to stabilize enough to withstand normal bumps or incidental contact. Some athletes may be advised by their surgeon to wait up to 12 weeks if they participate in higher-risk sports such as martial arts or boxing, where direct trauma to the eye is more likely. Non-contact exercise such as tennis, jogging, or strength training can usually begin within a week, but always under medical guidance. The key is that each patient should progress gradually and recognize that the risk of injury, infection, or delayed healing remains if they return too quickly.
Why do athletes need to wait before resuming contact sports?
The waiting period exists because LASIK creates a delicate flap in the cornea that remains vulnerable to disruption for several weeks after surgery. A sudden blow, excessive sweat, or debris entering the eye could displace the flap, leading to complications like blurred vision or infection. Protective measures are crucial because the eye is still adjusting to the changes made by the laser, and visual perception may fluctuate during early recovery. The ophthalmology specialists at Kugler Vision note that this interval also allows the tissue to bond securely, preventing eye injury from direct impact. For an individual who relies on fast reaction times and clear vision, a cautious approach ensures the best possible long-term result.
What precautions should contact athletes take during the recovery period?
During recovery, every athlete at Kugler Vision is advised to use certified goggles or sports-specific eyewear whenever engaging in a contact sport, particularly in the first one to three months. ASTM F803-compliant protective glasses shield the healing corneal flap and minimize the chance of injury. Eye protection should also extend to everyday life by wearing wraparound sunglasses in bright light or windy conditions to block dust and debris. Athletes are advised to avoid swimming, hot tubs, and lakes for at least 10 days to 3 weeks, since water exposure raises the risk of infection. In addition, patients should not rub their eyes and must use prescribed drops to reduce dryness and maintain health. Even leisure activities should be handled cautiously during early healing to avoid setbacks.
Are there sports that require longer recovery times after LASIK?
Yes, certain high-impact sports like martial arts, boxing, or rugby may require a longer wait—sometimes up to 12 weeks—before resuming full contact without protective eyewear. These activities pose a higher risk because they involve direct blows that could disturb the corneal flap and compromise healing. For athletes whose everyday life centers on these sports, a Kugler Vision surgeon may even recommend considering alternative refractive surgery options, such as PRK, that do not involve a flap. Regardless of the sport, gradual resumption of activity and strict adherence to medical guidelines remain critical. Kugler Vision works with each patient individually to tailor timelines, whether returning to basketball, racquetball, tennis, or other physical activities.
How does LASIK impact overall athletic performance?
LASIK surgery can improve athletic performance by removing the dependence on glasses or a contact lens, which often interfere with helmets, goggles, or peripheral vision. Many athletes at Kugler Vision report improved visual perception, sharper lighting adaptation, and fewer limitations during both competition and leisure. For those with myopia or other refractive errors, LASIK eye surgery offers freedom from corrective lens. By eliminating sources of blurred vision or discomfort, LASIK enhances confidence and focus, allowing athletes to perform at their best. With the guidance of a skilled surgeon and careful follow-up, patients not only regain clear vision but also reduce long-term visual impairment risks associated with untreated refractive errors.
Get Back in the Game with Confidence
For athletes, clear vision and safe recovery go hand in hand. The team at Kugler Vision is committed to guiding each patient through every step of the healing process, ensuring the best possible outcome for both vision and performance. If you’re ready to experience the freedom of LASIK while protecting your long-term eye health, schedule a consultation with Kugler Vision today and take the next step toward sharper sight and stronger performance.
Lance Kugler, MD, is a specialist in LASIK and vision correction surgery and CEO of Kugler Vision. A proud Omaha native, he is passionate about improving lives through clear vision. Dr. Kugler serves on several national boards, and his practice is recognized internationally as a center of excellence. Dr. Kugler is one of the original founders of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization comprised of over 350 of the world’s leading vision correction surgeons; he also served as its first president. In 2019, Dr. Kugler was selected as a TEDx speaker, and delivered a talk in Omaha about the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness and refractive solutions. Dr. Kugler is an Associate Professor of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Truhlsen Eye Institute, has been published in many medical journals, and participates in numerous clinical studies to advance the field of vision correction surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kugler is proud to be a Board Certified Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Kugler and his wife are proud parents to five active kids. When he has a spare moment, he enjoys skiing, tennis, travel, and fine coffee.
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