Should You Wear Protective Goggles Sleeping After Lasik Surgery?

Should You Wear Lasik Goggles While Sleeping?

Lasik eye surgery is one of the most popular vision correction procedures, allowing many people to enjoy freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Part of the recovery process involves protecting your eyes at night by wearing lasik goggles while sleeping.

Why Lasik Patients Need to Wear Goggles for Sleeping

During lasik surgery, a special laser reshapes the clear cornea at the front of the eye to improve focusing power. This allows light rays to focus precisely on the retina for a crisp image.

As the cornea heals in the weeks after the procedure, it is vital to avoid rubbing or putting any pressure directly on the eyes. This could disrupt the smoothly healing cornea or lead to complications.

Since people rub their eyes and toss and turn during sleep unconsciously, ophthalmologists instruct patients to wear protective lasik goggles at nighttime.

Benefits of Wearing Lasik Goggles for Sleep

There are several advantages to wearing designated lasik goggles overnight after your procedure, including:

• Prevent accidental eye rubbing leading to corneal abrasion or flap displacement
• Protect against debris or foreign objects contacting the eyes during sleep
• Allow eyelids to glide smoothly over cornea without pulling
• Provides moisture chamber keeping eyes more comfortable
• Blocks out all light helping promote sound sleep

You want the assurance your eyes stay completely undisturbed all night so the lasik flap and cornea heal properly. Lasik goggles facilitate this beautifully.

When to Start and Stop Using Lasik Sleep Goggles

Your ophthalmologist will advise you specifically when to begin and end nighttime lasik goggle use based on your procedure and healing. Most commonly, patients should plan to wear lasik goggles for sleeping during this general timeline:

• First 3 nights - Critical adjustment period requiring lasik goggles for sleep
• 1 week - Cornea still healing substantially, continue goggles at night
• 2 weeks - Healing progresses well but continue using lasik sleep goggles
• 3-4 weeks - Cornea usually stable enough to sleep without goggles

Of course, be diligent listening to your surgeons specific lasik recovery instructions, as guidelines may vary for your individual healing needs.

Choosing the Best Lasik Sleep Goggles

Its vital to select high quality lasik goggles properly designed for comfortable nighttime wear. Key features to look for include:

Comfortable Fit

Since youll wear your lasik goggles for hours throughout the night, comfort is paramount. Seek soft, padded goggles that dont pinch behind the ears. Adjustable straps help achieve a customized, secure fit not too tight.

Light Blocking

Your goggles must block all light from seeping in around the edges. Complete light blocking promotes sounder sleep so your body focuses maximum energy on healing.

Ventilation

Breathability prevents moisture and heat buildup inside the goggles during the night. Strategically placed vent holes circulate air but dont compromise light blocking. Some models have foam or gel pads around the openings to maintain comfort.

Room for Eyes to Blink

Adequate space between the lenses and your eyes enables free eye movement and blinking without restrictive pressure. If goggles rest right on your lashes, irritation could lead to rubbing.

Stable Positioning

Well-designed goggles stay positioned properly on your face all night without sliding downward. Contoured shapes and textured material prevents shifting.

Types of Lasik Sleep Goggles

There are a few main styles of lasik goggles for sleeping to consider based on your needs and budget:

Full Face Mask Goggles

These goggles encapsulate both eyes in one unified piece for maximum eye protection and light blocking. The contoured design often extends down over part of the nose and upper cheeks.

Prevents pressure on the nose or eyebrows from resting face on pillow

Usually most affordable lasik sleeping goggle option

Often prescribed by surgeons post-lasik

Can feel warm or confining for some

Individual Eye Cups

Unlike a full face mask, individual eye cups only cover around each eye separately. These float independently in front of the eyes with an adjustable strap around the head.

Allows more facial airflow preventing humidity and heat

Enable sleeping in prone position more comfortably

Generally more expensive

Light leakage possible if not properly aligned

Requires careful adjustment for optimal protection

Sleep Masks

Some post-lasik patients opt to use a padded sleep mask instead of designated lasik goggles. These slip on like sunglasses over the eyes and bridge of the nose.

Fairly affordable and easy to obtain

Often lightweight and comfortable for side sleeping

Less tailored eye protection than goggles

Could allow too much facial or ocular contact

Review advantages of each lasik sleeping goggle type with your ophthalmologist to decide what meets safety protocols following your procedure.

Caring for Your Lasik Sleep Goggles

Like any reusable medical supplies, lasik goggles for sleeping require proper hygienic care between uses. Follow these methods to keep goggles fresh and functional:

Handwash and Air Dry

Remove foam inserts then gently scrub goggles in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly before patting exterior dry with a soft towel. Air dry any removable padding before reassembling.

Sanitize Periodically

Use designated lens cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or antibacterial wipes to disinfect the surface and vents of lasik sleep goggles periodically. This prevents buildup of skin oils, makeup, or debris.

Store Properly

Keep goggles safely stored in the provided case or bag when not in use. Dont place heavy objects on top that could bend frames or lenses while storing between wears.

With attentive care, quality lasik sleep goggles can serve every night of the recovery process ensuring you awaken each day with eyes refreshed.

Tips for Adjusting to Sleep Goggles After Lasik

The first night or two wearing protective lasik goggles to bed may feel foreign. Here are tips to quickly adjust:

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Natural anxiety about bumping the healing corneas often heightens first-night stress. Do some deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, or listen to soothing music at bedtime.

Focus on Sound Sleep

Remind yourself quality rest without disruption optimizes healing. Purposefully relax each part of the body into the mattress and clear the mind.

Try White Noise

The unfamiliar sensation of goggles could seem amplified in quiet. White noise machines mimicking soothing nature sounds makes the difference less noticeable.

Avoid Caffeine

Skip caffeinated beverages for several hours before bed to ensure drowsiness. Being very tired initially diminishes the lightweight goggles impact.

With these handy tips, lasik goggles at night quickly start feeling like second nature. Trust the protective barriers grant peace of mind allowing speedy corneal recovery.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.