LASIK, PKR, SMILE and heatwave: operating and recovering in hot weather

Many patients consider refractive surgery before summer so they can enjoy their holidays without glasses. Hot weather then raises practical questions: can you have surgery in the middle of a heatwave, does heat make dryness worse, when can you go back to the pool? Here is the picture, technique by technique.

THE ESSENTIALS

The straight answer: surgery is possible, but heat calls for a few adjustments

LASIK, PKR and SMILE are performed in an air-conditioned operating room: a heatwave is not a contraindication to the procedure. The watchpoint is recovery. Heat, air conditioning and fans worsen the ocular dryness of the first few weeks, the sun requires strict protection, and swimming has to wait. With a few precautions, summer remains a perfectly viable time to have surgery.

FEASIBILITY

Can you have surgery in the middle of a heatwave?

Yes. Laser refractive surgery is carried out in a room with controlled temperature and humidity, at the Clinique Laser Victor Hugo. The outdoor heat has no effect on the procedure itself. On the day of surgery, simply plan to bring something to stay hydrated, sunglasses for the journey home, and a quiet, cool place to rest in the hours that follow.

OCULAR DRYNESS

Heat, air conditioning, fans: the ocular dryness of the first few weeks

After LASIK, creating the corneal flap temporarily interrupts some of the corneal nerves, which reduces tear secretion: ocular dryness is common in the first few weeks, usually transient, and eases as healing progresses. It is generally less pronounced after PKR or SMILE, which affect the corneal surface differently.

Heat, air conditioning and fans dry out the air and speed up evaporation of the tear film: all factors that can heighten this temporary discomfort. A few habits make it easier to cope with:

• Do not point the fan or air conditioning at your face; in the car, aim the vents downward.
• Use the artificial tears prescribed by your surgeon generously.
• Drink regularly: good overall hydration supports the comfort of the ocular surface.
• Take breaks during screen work, which reduces blinking and increases dryness.

SUN PROTECTION

Sun protection, essential after laser surgery

After refractive surgery, the cornea is healing and the eye is more sensitive to light. Wearing sunglasses that filter 100% of UVA and UVB rays (UV400) is recommended outdoors. After PKR in particular, protection against ultraviolet rays continues for several months: sun exposure can promote a transient corneal haze during the healing phase.

ACTIVITIES

Pool, sea, sport: patience in hot weather

The temptation to cool off is strong in summer, but pool and sea water carry a risk of infection and irritation until healing is complete. The time to wait before going back to swimming depends on the technique and on your healing: follow your surgeon’s personalised instructions rather than a general rule. The same applies to outdoor sports in hot weather, where sweat and dust call for caution in the first few days.

EYE DROPS

Storing and using your eye drops in hot weather

• Most eye drops should be stored at room temperature, below 25 °C: always check the box and the leaflet.
• Do not leave your bottles in a car in the sun or on a sun-exposed windowsill.
• Eye drops kept cool can be more pleasant to instill, but only refrigerate the products whose leaflet requires it.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is a heatwave a contraindication to LASIK?

No. The procedure takes place in an air-conditioned room and the outdoor heat does not affect it. The precautions concern recovery: dryness, sun protection and swimming.

Does heat make dryness worse after surgery?

Heat, air conditioning and fans promote tear evaporation and can heighten dryness that is already present in the first few weeks. Artificial tears and good hydration help you get through this phase, which is most often transient.

When can I go back to the pool or the sea?

It depends on the technique and on your healing. There is no universal timeframe: your surgeon will tell you the right moment for your case to return to swimming safely.

Further reading

• LASIK: procedure and post-operative course
• PKR: surface surgery
• SMILE: a preserved corneal surface
• The pre-operative assessment

Refractive assessment at the Cachan office · Tel. 01 45 47 08 11

This article is intended for information and education. It does not replace a medical consultation. The indication for refractive surgery and its post-operative course are determined by your ophthalmologist. Laser refractive surgery is performed at the Clinique Laser Victor Hugo. Sources: Société Française d’Ophtalmologie (ocular surface); ANSM (storage of medicines during a heatwave); World Health Organization (ultraviolet radiation); Santé publique France (hot weather).