After you have LASIK eye surgery, you will need to rest your eyes. However, since our phones have become such a vital part of our day-to-day lives, many people wonder, “” Let’s find out and learn why it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Can You Use Your Phone After LASIK?
Immediately following LASIK surgery, your eyes need time to recover from the procedure. As your anesthesia wears off, your eyes will be sensitive to light, and you may experience some itching, burning, or tingling. Your vision may also be a little blurry in the first 24 hours after surgery. As such, your eye surgeon will ask you to rest your eyes entirely for at least the first four hours following your procedure, wearing your eye shields the whole time. You may find that taking a nap is the best way to rest your eyes and alleviate any discomfort in that time. Alternatively, you may opt to simply rest, eyes closed, in a dark room.
During those four hours of rest, you should completely avoid looking at all screens, including your phone, computer, tablet, or TV. Looking at screens, and especially your phone, will cause you to strain your eyes, which can impact your eyes’ healing. You want your corneas to heal properly and to heal as quickly as possible, so the first several days are especially critical to your LASIK recovery time.
How Long After LASIK Can I Use My Phone?
Since screens are such an important part of our daily lives, you’re probably wanting to know, “exactly how long after LASIK can I use my phone?” There should be absolutely no screen use at all in the first four hours following your surgery. However, since your phone screen is so small, it’s advisable to continue to avoid using your phone (apart from picking up phone calls – maybe even with your eyes closed!) for a full 24 hours.
While staying off your phone for 24 hours may be a bit of an inconvenience, it will really help your eyes recover faster. Looking at your phone before your eyes are ready can exacerbate dry eye, and make your eyes strain and tire unnecessarily. After those 24 hours, your eyes should be able to handle some moderate phone use.
How Long
When it comes to reintroducing screens after your surgery, it’s important not to go from zero to sixty overnight. You may wonder, “
Once you think your eyes are feeling relatively normal, it’s still helpful to try to stick to the 20-20-20 guideline. After looking at any screen for 20 minutes, look about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps minimize eye strain and will help facilitate proper cornea healing. Make sure you also follow your surgeon’s orders about keeping your eyes lubricated since screen use tends to reduce normal blinking times. The more you can reduce eye strain and dryness, the better for your healing corneas.
Visit Dello Russo Laser Vision for Your LASIK
So, can you use your phone after LASIK? Yes, but not at all for the first four hours, and sparingly only if necessary in the first 24 hours. After that, you can use your phone in moderation, but plan to use it for short periods and take frequent breaks.
The best thing you can do to ensure that your eyes heal properly and quickly is to follow your eye surgeon’s instructions following your LASIK procedure. Keep your eye shields on as long as directed, use your medicated eye drops correctly, and make sure you don’t push your eyes by returning to screens, like your phone, too early. Your corneas will thank you.
Ensure you get the best possible advice and guidance, along with precise vision correction results, by finding an experienced eye surgeon who provides custom LASIK. At Dello Russo Laser Vision, our world class LASIK surgeons have extensive experience you can trust. We offer personalized LASIK procedures to ensure that each treatment plan is designed just for you and your unique eyes.
Discover the difference that improved vision can make in your life. Explore the answers to many of your questions by checking out our helpful LASIK FAQs and informative blog. Then make an appointment with Dello Russo Laser Vision today.
