Eye Care in the Digital Age After LASIK

Eye care in the digital age can be tricky, to say the least. From tablets to televisions, digital screens are found no matter where we turn our heads. And even if we try to turn our eyes away from them, digital devices have become so enmeshed with our lives that it doesn’t feel right not to be looking at your smartphone for long periods.

Luckily, there is minimal time off from screen use following your LASIK eye surgery. In fact, it is only on the day of surgery that patients must limit themselves to light usage of their digital devices. And the day after LASIK, patients may go back to their normal screen routine.

In this article, we will provide a few helpful tips to consider during your LASIK recover to help reduce digital eye strain and provide optimal healing.

Digital Eye Strain and Post-LASIK Recovery

Today, looking at a screen almost always feels like a necessity. With daily tasks such as work, paying the bills, and even keeping in touch with friends done mostly through digital devices, looking at a screen is nearly impossible.

This constant screen time has been proven to cause discomfort—digital eye strain or «computer vision syndrome»—and can become more troublesome after LASIK surgery.

The first is the discomfort from the blue light that digital screens emit. Although LASIK doesn’t directly impact your sensitivity to blue light, excessive screen time can cause headaches, dry eyes, and fatigue.

The second is focused screen time, which prevents frequent blinking and causes your eyes to dry even more. These discomforts might also lead you to accidentally rub your eyes—a big no-no during the initial stage of LASIK recovery.

READ ALSO: Recovery After LASIK: What to Expect and Tips for Healing

That said, managing screen time and taking breaks can make a big difference in how comfortable your eyes feel throughout the day and encourage recovery.

Tips to Reduce Digital Eye Strain

While looking at digital screens is nearly impossible in this age, there are some things you can do to prevent eye strain as you recover from LASIK surgery. Below are some helpful tips to help you balance screen time and LASIK recovery.

1. Follow the 20-20-20 rule.

Simple adjustments can significantly reduce digital eye strain. That’s why one of the tips we love giving our patients is practicing the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.

This intentional practice of taking timed and structured breaks gives your eyes time to relax and prevent digital eye strain.

2. Make your devices work for you.

If avoiding screens is inevitable, adjusting them to help you recover is another excellent solution for digital eye strain. These adjustments can include:

• Match the brightness of your screen to the surrounding light. Doing so helps reduce eye strain by minimizing the contrast between your screen and its background. When your screen is too bright compared to your surroundings, it forces your eyes to work harder. Lowering the brightness to match ambient light creates a more comfortable viewing experience.
• Position your screens appropriately. Keep larger screens at least 25 inches (about your arm’s length) away and slightly below your gaze. This positioning helps reduce strain on your eyes and neck by encouraging a natural head and neck posture.
• Use protective lenses. Consider using blue light filters on your devices or wearing glasses with blue light-blocking lenses. These help minimize eye strain from excessive exposure to blue light.

3. Use artificial tears and stay hydrated.

Artificial tears are a great way to combat dry eyes post-LASIK. Choose preservative-free artificial tears, as they’re gentler on healing eyes. Use them regularly throughout the day, especially if you spend hours in front of a screen.

ADDITIONAL READING: Administering Eye Drops: Tips and Tricks for Accuracy

Staying hydrated also helps keep your eyes moisturized. Drinking plenty of water supports overall eye health and keeps your eyes from drying out.

4. Tailor your environment for comfort.

This strategy works in tandem with adjusting your devices for eye comfort. In addition to changing your screen’s brightness and using blue light filters, you can keep your workspace moist.

Adding a humidifier to your room helps keep the air moist if you want to. You can also adjust the lighting in each room, ensuring it is well-lit without being too bright.

5. Manage your screen time effectively.

Lastly, the best tip for limiting eye strain with electronics is to avoid screens as much as possible or manage them effectively. You can prevent screens from being used for entertainment or leisure. Try to go analog by reading a book, playing board games, or engaging in activities that are not too strenuous to the eyes.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Digital Life and Healthy Eyes After LASIK

On the evening of your LASIK surgery, break time from heavy screen usage is critical to recovery. However, the day after surgery, you may resume screen time with your digital devices. The tips we’ve provided in this article are some of the simplest ways to stay on track with recovery in an increasingly digital world. By following this plan, you can resume your usual screen time sooner rather than later.

If you have concerns or want personalized advice on caring for your eyes post-LASIK, please contact Saddleback Eye Center. We’re here to help you protect your vision and maintain your eye health for years.