LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a common refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct vision problems. While the procedure is quick, the period immediately following surgery is delicate. Managing screen time is a major part of ensuring the best visual outcome and a comfortable healing process. Understanding the reasons for restrictions helps patients follow post-operative care instructions.
The Immediate Answer: When Can I Watch TV?
Patients are advised to avoid all digital screens, including television, for at least the first 24 hours following LASIK. This initial period requires complete rest for the eyes, which promotes the adhesion and healing of the corneal flap. Your surgeon may recommend that you go home and sleep or simply rest with your eyes closed immediately after the surgery.
After the initial 24-hour period, you can usually resume watching TV, but with significant caution and limits. Viewing should be intermittent, consisting of short bursts of time, such as 30 to 60 minutes, followed by a break. Specific instructions provided by your eye surgeon should always take precedence over general guidelines.
Why Digital Screens Cause Eye Strain After LASIK
Digital screens, including television, exacerbate two primary issues that hinder recovery: reduced blinking and increased focusing effort. The human blink rate naturally decreases when concentrating on a screen, sometimes dropping to half the normal rate. This reduction is problematic because LASIK temporarily diminishes the eye’s ability to produce tears and can affect corneal nerves that signal the need for moisture.
The cornea requires constant lubrication to heal smoothly, and a reduced blink rate leads to tear film instability and severe dryness. This dryness causes discomfort, irritation, and can delay the overall healing process. Furthermore, the light sensitivity that often occurs after LASIK makes the brightness and contrast of a screen more irritating.
Focusing on a screen requires the eye’s internal muscles to accommodate, or change the shape of the lens. While LASIK corrects the cornea, the focusing mechanism can still be strained during the early recovery phase. Too much accommodation effort can lead to eye fatigue, headaches, and temporary blurring of vision. Minimizing this effort is accomplished by limiting screen time and ensuring the eyes are rested between viewing sessions.
Managing All Screen Use in the First Week
The recommendations for television apply to all digital devices, but smartphones and computers require greater caution due to their proximity to the eyes. Viewing a small screen close-up demands more intense focusing effort than watching a television across a room. Patients should proactively manage all screen exposure during the first seven days of recovery to maximize comfort and healing.
A modified version of the 20-20-20 rule is recommended for any necessary screen time. Every 20 minutes, look away for 20 seconds at an object at least 20 feet away. You should also ensure that you are consciously and completely blinking to help spread the tear film evenly across the cornea.
When using a screen, decrease the brightness and increase the font size to reduce the intensity of the light and the focusing demand. Using lubricating eye drops, as prescribed by your surgeon, immediately before and frequently during screen use is highly recommended to counteract dryness. These actions help to minimize the strain on the newly corrected eyes, supporting a fast and successful recovery from the procedure.