Do I need to wear glasses to use my smartphone after myopia surgery?
Jun 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen You
Introduction
Patients may still require glasses after myopia surgery. Most myopia surgeries use a laser to reshape the cornea. The higher the degree of myopia, the greater the amount of corneal tissue that must be removed. If a patient has a high preoperative refractive error and a relatively thin cornea, only a portion of the refractive error can be corrected with laser surgery—even after thorough discussion with the patient. In such cases, residual refractive error remains and must be corrected with glasses.
Myopia itself is not inherently severe; however, if left untreated, it can progress and lead to complications such as scleral staphyloma, retinal atrophy and degeneration, subretinal neovascularization, and retinal detachment. So, do patients need to wear glasses when using smartphones after myopia surgery?
Do patients need to wear glasses when using smartphones after myopia surgery?
Patients may still require glasses following myopia surgery. Most myopia surgeries employ laser ablation of the cornea. The higher the preoperative refractive error, the greater the depth of corneal tissue removal required. In cases of high myopia combined with relatively thin corneas, only a portion of the refractive error may be safely corrected via laser surgery—even after thorough discussion with the patient. Residual refractive error thus remains, necessitating corrective eyewear. Additionally, for patients experiencing presbyopia, surgeons may intentionally retain a mild degree of myopia (a strategy known as “monovision” or “blended vision”) to alleviate presbyopic symptoms; in such cases, patients will continue to rely on myopic glasses postoperatively.
Early after myopia surgery, smartphone use is generally discouraged. The primary reason is that the eye undergoes a natural healing process postoperatively: the cornea bears surgical incisions, and associated dryness or discomfort gradually subsides as the wound heals. However, premature use of electronic devices—especially due to screen radiation and prolonged near-vision tasks—may exacerbate visual fatigue, reduce tear secretion, and worsen ocular dryness. Dry eye syndrome, in turn, critically compromises the stability of postoperative vision. Since optimal visual outcomes are the goal of myopia surgery, early postoperative care is especially crucial; minimizing electronic device usage during this initial recovery phase is strongly advised.
Patients are advised to maintain good ocular hygiene in daily life and avoid prolonged fixation on electronic screens. We hope this information proves helpful.
