Laser Eye Surgery Forum

change of treatment after lasik

I had lasik treatment over a year ago but was ill advised that i couldn't do any contact sports after this ie boxing/mma due to the possibility the flap may dislodge and would like to know if there is anything i can do to be able to to box again? Is there treatment i can get done to resolve this like getting my eyes re-done with a different procedure ?

Hi Gary

Flap trauma is actually pretty rare. It has been documented in medical journal reports more often with sharp direct trauma to the cornea. I have treated patients with LASIK who box and advised them to wear a head guard and full weight gloves when sparring to the head (the gloves are especially for your opponent!). Plus no head sparring for 3 months post surgery. You have to make a balanced decision for yourself, but I think a blanket ban on boxing is not necessary. If, while sparring with gloves and head guard, you are not getting direct blows to the eye then the flaps are likely to be fine.

I think there is more risk with martial arts where sparring and grappling is done with bare hands, fingers (and finger nails!) where the fingers may directly strike the eyes with force. For these patients I perform PRK instead of LASIK.