LASIK and Computer Use: What Patients Should Know

Dr. Jerry Maida proudly serves patients throughout the greater Jacksonville area, performing state-of-the-art laser eye surgery that enhances vision and improves overall eye health. One of the most popular vision correction procedures he performs is LASIK, a laser eye surgery that reduces dependence on glasses and contacts. Following LASIK, patients may note some issues when it comes to computer use. We’d like to go over these matters in brief right now.

Avoid Using the Computer in the First Day or So of Healing

In the first day after LASIK surgery, it’s important that patients avoid using their computer. The same hold true for using a smart phone or tablet, playing video games, and watching television. All of these activities can cause eyestrain to occur and can seriously affect the healing process. Just to play it safe, be sure to focus on resting in that first 24 hours.

Return to Normal Activities Slowly

In the days after LASIK surgery, patients should return to computer use and the other activities noted above slowly. While patients can perform these activities again in the day after surgery, it’s best to return to the activities slowly. This will prevent eyestrain and other issues and allow patients to heal properly. Since the first few days of healing are crucial, it’s best to play it safe.

Computer Use Can Make LASIK Side Effects Worse

Even in the weeks after LASIK surgery, patients may notice that the use of a computer can make the side effects of LASIK surgery much worse. This will usually mean issues with eyestrain and dry eyes. Part of the reason for this is that staring at a computer monitor causes a person’s blink rate to decrease, which can lead to less eye moisture being present and potential eye fatigue.

This is normal, and thankfully there are two things that LASIK patients can do to address these matters:

• Have eye drops present at all times
• Take frequent breaks from computer use

Have Eye Drops Handy at All Times

Eye drops will provide your eyes with the necessary moisture to reduce irritation, itchiness, and redness. It’s a good idea to have eye drops handy in general after undergoing any sort of eye surgery, though if you have a job that involves lots of looking at a computer monitor, the eye drops can be very helpful. Any time your eyes feel dry, feel free to use your eye drops.

Take Breaks from the Computer to Avoid Eye Strain

When using a computer, it’s a good idea to take frequent breaks to prevent eyestrain and dry eye syndrome. (This is a good idea in general, whether you have undergone LASIK or not.)

The best way to take breaks with computer use is to follow the rule of 20-20-20: every 20 minutes, look away from the computer for 20 seconds, focusing on a spot in the middle-distance roughly 20 feet away.

Simply following this 20-20-20 rule combined with the use of eye drops can go a long way to avoiding eyestrain and other serious issues with your eyes as they heal from LASIK surgery.

Contact Dr. Jerry Maida

To learn more about your options for state-of-the-art eye care, it’s important that you contact our laser eye care center today. Dr. Maida and the entire team look forward to meeting you in person and helping you see clearly and experience excellent eye health.