What sunglasses should I wear after eye surgery?
Mr Tariq Ayoub - 23 Jun 2022
During the early recovery period after any type of eye surgery, your eyes can be sensitive to light. Sunglasses provide comfort by reducing the total amount of light reaching the eye. It is, therefore, extremely important to wear a good pair of sunglasses after any type of eye surgery including LASIK, laser eye surgery, cataract surgery, ICL surgery, refractive lens exchange and keratoconus treatment. In this article we will discuss the type of sunglasses you should your wear and for how long after eye surgery.
Why should I wear sunglasses after eye surgery?
- To protect yourself from the uncomfortable or dazzling glare of bright light. Normally this is sunlight, but some artificial light can be dazzling too.
- To prevent dust and dirt getting into your eyes during the healing period.
- To protect your eyes and the skin around them from the damaging effects of ultra-violet (UV) light in sunshine.
What are the best sunglasses to wear after eye surgery?
The best sunglasses to wear after eye surgery are those that absorb the broadest spectrum of UV radiation. You should buy them from a reputable source which have the CE mark or comply with British Standards (BS EN ISO 12312-1:2013).
As UV light is invisible, you can’t tell by looking at sunglasses whether they absorb safe amounts of UV light. Always look for labels or check with the retailer that they have ‘UV 400’ protection. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a dark lens automatically absorbs a safe amount of light – the depth of the tint has no impact on whether it absorbs the right wavelength. Sunglasses don’t need to be expensive to be safe!
What are the best sunglasses to wear after LASIK laser eye surgery?
You should wear comfortable and easy to wear sunglasses after LASIK laser eye surgery. The sunglasses should provide UV protection (as explained above) to prevent these rays from entering your eyes. Polarised lenses also help, as they reduce eye strain and fatigue by blocking glare from horizontal rays. Vertical rays will go through the lenses, helping you see things well but without the glare from the other rays.
Polarised sunglasses with good UV protection are the best sunglasses to wear after LASIK laser eye surgery.
How long should I wear sunglasses after LASIK laser eye surgery?
While you can get back to your regular routine within a few days of LASIK and trans-PRK laser eye surgery, you should wear your sunglasses for at least a week after the surgery. While the eyes may feel as though they have healed all the way, it may still experience some irritation and discomfort. At Oculase, we recommend you use your sunglasses when out in bright sunlight for a few months after the surgery to reduce the risk of long-term photosensitivity to light after the surgery.
What are the best sunglasses to wear after cataract and lens replacement eye surgery?
The eyes are sensitive to light soon after cataract and lens replacement surgery. You must wear a good pair of sunglasses for the first 2 weeks, especially when out in bright light. When getting sunglasses, be sure to get ones that block 100% of UV rays. You want to keep sunlight out of your eyes as much as possible while they heal. Wearing sunglasses coupled with a wide-brimmed sun hat will give your eyes greater comfort.
How long should I wear sunglasses after Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) surgery?
Recovery from ICL surgery is generally quick with minimal light sensitivity in the first few days. However, as your eyes adapt to the new vision, you may notice haloes and glare which can persist for a few weeks to a couple of months after the surgery. Sunglasses help counter these haloes and glare. Mr. Ayoub recommends you use the sunglasses in bright sunlight while you adapt to you new vision.
Are you considering LASIK or some other form of corrective surgery to get rid of your glasses and/or contact lens? Why not book a consultation with our expert, certified refractive surgeon to assess your suitability for vision corrective surgery.
