Blue Light Glasses After Lasik: What You Need to Know
If you just had LASIK and are experiencing digital eye strain, you’re not alone. While LASIK brilliantly corrects your vision, it’s not a cure-all.
In fact, there’s generally an extended adjustment period where your eyes might get more sensitive to digital screens and sunlight post-LASIK.
This begs the question, “Do I need blue light glasses after LASIK?”. Put another way, is it a good idea to wear blue light glasses after LASIK? Can it help reduce digital eye strain?
In this post, we’ll talk about blue light glasses, including how they can help prevent or reduce eye strain after LASIK.
Let’s dive in.
What LASIK Actually Fixes
Of course, LASIK isn’t the solution to all your eye problems. Here’s what it can fix.
The Key Change: Your Cornea Shape
LASIK is a great way to fix refractive errors in your eyes. It involves reshaping the clear front part of the eye (The Cornea) so that it focuses light on the retina at the back correctly.
It fixes different eye issues like myopia (Near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism.
The goal of this surgery is to get rid of prescription glasses or contact lenses. It’s a more long-term way of fixing the refractive errors of the eye.
What LASIK Doesn't Fix
Since LASIK is designed to fix refractive errors, it can’t impact the sensitivity to blue light in particular or bright light in general.
In fact, it temporarily affects the nerves in the tear film, affecting tear production, which is a major cause of dry eyes.
Plus, LASIK doesn’t prevent eye strain, which often results from:
- Reduced blinking during screen use
- Glare
- Constant effort to focus
- Prolonged exposure to blue light
Understanding Blue Light and Why It Bothers You After LASIK
So, why do screens feel worse after LASIK? There are multiple factors involved; blue light is one of them.
Although the Sun also emits blue light, it has a purpose (Keeping us alert). Extended or non-stop exposure to blue light from TV and mobile screens can:
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Increase digital eye strain
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Disrupt your natural sleep cycle (By stopping or interfering with the production of melatonin, our sleep hormone)
But, what about retinal damage? Studies show that blue light from digital devices doesn’t cause retinal damage. The real damage comes from prolonged exposure to sunlight (Which contains UV and blue light).
Why Digital Eye Strain is Common After LASIK
Even if you have 20/20 vision, digital eye strain after LASIK can cause real discomfort. Here’s how:
Dry Eyes
LASIK affects corneal nerves, which reduces tear production in your eyes, making them dry. Staring at screens reduces your blink rate, which also contributes to eye dryness.
For most people, this dryness leads to stinging, burning, and even redness.
Corneal Healing
When your cornea is healing, it can be more sensitive to light, including screen glare. It might take a few weeks or even months for your cornea to fully recover.
Do Blue Light Glasses Help After LASIK?
Let’s talk about why you should wear blue light glasses while using screens, especially after LASIK.
Digital Eye Strain
Scientific studies on whether blue light glasses help reduce digital eye strain are mixed and inconclusive.
While it can be one of the causes, reduced blinking, lack of breaks, and poor ergonomics also contribute.
The benefits of blue light glasses for digital eye strain can be subjective. For instance, your screen time may become more comfortable with these glasses since they reduce glare and light intensity.
The bottom line is that wearing blue light glasses after LASIK, especially while using digital screens, can help.
For Sleep
Here’s where blue light glasses can be the most beneficial. Wearing them 2 - 3 hours before going to bed can help improve your sleep onset.
This applies to everyone, whether they’ve had LASIK or not.
So, when should you wear blue light eyeglasses? Consider them as a part of the solution, and consider using them in these situations:
- If you use screens close to bedtime and struggle with sleep issues
- If you experience comfort (Less strain or headache) when wearing them during screen time
- If you have severe light sensitivity, especially during the first few weeks after LASIK
- You want to use them as a part of the bigger strategy (Alongside good eye hygiene and dry eye management)
Choosing Blue Light Glasses Post-LASIK
If you fall under one or more of the above scenarios, here’s how to choose blue light glasses wisely:
Non-Prescription Vs. Prescription
If LASIK gave you perfect vision, you don’t need to get prescription glasses. Just get a pair with effective blue light filtering lenses.
Otherwise, your doctor can prescribe lenses with a blue light filter coating.
Lens Type and Features
Clear lenses block 20 - 40% of the blue light, which makes them suitable for daytime use.
Amber/yellow tints block more blue light (Greater than 90%), but they have a noticeable tint. Wearing them a couple of hours before bed can help with sleep.
Glasses that have an anti-reflective coating in addition to the blue light filter significantly reduce glare from screens and overhead lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s discuss some frequently asked questions related to wearing blue light glasses after LASIK.
Is It Good to Wear Blue Light Glasses After LASIK?
Although scientific evidence is limited, wearing blue light glasses after LASIK can help reduce glare and digital eye strain if paired with good eye hygiene practices.
Do I Need Computer Glasses After LASIK?
If you’re over 40 years of age, you may need reading glasses. Nonprescription eyeglasses with a blue light filter coating can help with eye comfort, but aren’t necessary.
How Long After LASIK Will My Eyes Be Sensitive to Light?
The adjustment period can range from days to weeks, with significant sensitivity in the first 12 - 48 hours. From around week 2, you typically feel moderate sensitivity to bright light/screens.
Can Light Damage Eyes After LASIK?
Yes, post-LASIK eyes are more vulnerable to light-related damage. Use sunglasses or blue light glasses with UV protection outdoors.
Conclusion
LASIK gives you freedom from prescription lenses and contacts, but it doesn’t make your eyes immune to digital strain and light sensitivity.
Blue light glasses might make your screen time more comfortable by reducing glare and filtering out the high-intensity blue light.
However, for effective eye protection, you need a well-rounded solution. Often, reduced blinking, improper posture, and lack of rest contribute more to digital eye strain.
What you should do is wear blue light-blocking glasses and practice good eye hygiene, like taking regular rests and blinking more often.
