When can I fly after retinal detachment surgery?

General information about typical recovery, not medical advice. Every eye and every surgery is different, and your surgeon's instructions override anything on this page. Read our full disclaimer.

Short answer

If gas was used, not until your surgeon confirms the bubble is completely gone. If no gas was used, ask your surgeon, because the restriction is a gas rule.

AAO is direct: with an air or gas bubble, you cannot fly in an airplane, travel to high altitudes, or scuba dive. AAO explains that changes in air pressure during flight make the bubble expand, dramatically increasing eye pressure, which can cause severe pain, permanent vision loss, or even blindness.

StatPearls says the same for retinal detachment patients: when intraocular gas is present, patients should avoid air travel, because it can cause expansion of the gas bubble and an extreme rise of intraocular pressure with possible permanent optic nerve injury and vision loss.

This applies to pneumatic retinopexy just as much as to vitrectomy. Pneumatic retinopexy is a gas procedure by definition, and ASRS describes it as injecting a gas bubble into the eye. An office procedure is still a gas bubble.

How long the ban lasts depends on the gas. StatPearls: air about 5 to 7 days, SF6 about 1 to 2 weeks, C3F8 about 6 to 8 weeks. AAO's EyeNet review: about two weeks for nonexpansile SF6, three for C2F6, eight for C3F8. Ask which gas you got.

Do not book on those numbers. AAO says your ophthalmologist will confirm when the gas bubble has completely dissolved and travel restrictions can be lifted. The same caution applies to mountain drives and high-altitude destinations. A scleral buckle on its own, with no gas, does not carry the altitude problem, but confirm with your surgeon since many buckles are combined with gas.

When	Typical guidance
Any time gas remains in the eye	No flying, no high altitude, no scuba diving. AAO and StatPearls both state this clearly.
After pneumatic retinopexy	Gas is always used, so the restriction always applies until the bubble is gone.
SF6 bubble	StatPearls: about 1 to 2 weeks. AAO EyeNet: about two weeks for nonexpansile SF6.
C3F8 bubble	StatPearls and AAO EyeNet: about 6 to 8 weeks.
Scleral buckle with no gas	No altitude restriction from a buckle alone, but confirm with your surgeon that no gas was placed.

Call your surgeon now if you notice any of these

A sudden burst of many new floaters, new flashing lights, or a dark shadow or gray curtain in your field of vision. NEI calls these signs of a medical emergency and AAO lists them as reasons to seek immediate care
A sudden decrease or loss of vision, or vision that was improving and then clearly gets worse
Pain that keeps increasing rather than settling, or pain not relieved by your prescribed drops
Signs of very high eye pressure: a deep hard ache with nausea or vomiting, halos around lights, or severe pain. StatPearls lists raised intraocular pressure as a known complication of gas tamponade
Signs of infection or buckle trouble: worsening redness, thick discharge, and increasing pain. StatPearls notes buckle extrusion or infection presents with pain, redness, and discharge
New or worsening double vision, which StatPearls attributes to mechanical muscle restriction or ischemia after buckling and which has treatment options
Any planned anesthesia while you still have a gas bubble. Tell the anesthesia team you have intraocular gas and that nitrous oxide must not be used. ASRS states nitrous gas anesthesia should be strictly avoided when a gas bubble has been used
Any planned flight, high-altitude trip, or dive before your surgeon confirms the gas bubble is gone. AAO warns this can cause severe pain, permanent vision loss, or even blindness

These warning signs after retinal detachment surgery can point to problems that need same-day care. Do not wait for your next scheduled visit. If you cannot reach your surgeon's office, use their on-call line, or go to an emergency room.

Sources: National Eye Institute (NIH); American Academy of Ophthalmology; StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf; American Society of Retina Specialists

Sources

Detached Retina Treatment American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Retinal Detachment (StatPearls) StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Retinal Detachment American Society of Retina Specialists. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Agents for Vitreous Tamponade (StatPearls) StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Management, Part 2 American Academy of Ophthalmology (EyeNet Magazine). Accessed 2026-08-25.
Flying After Eye Surgery or With an Eye Condition American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.

When can I fly after retinal detachment surgery?

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