# LASIK and heavy computer usage

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 11, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078 "2011-06-11T04:37:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![IMfez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f07891/32.png) [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/1 "2011-06-11T04:37:21Z")

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Hi,

I’m in front of a monitor for 10+ hours a day. Does anyone know if LASIK is a bad option for a heavy computer user?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/2 "2011-06-11T04:55:41Z")

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When I had it, my doctor said to wear sunglasses with good UV protection as cataracts were VERY bad if you had Lasiks, and also to be careful of dust, wind, and such like during the first year or so, mostly during the first months. He had no warning about indoor problems at all.

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**Author:** ![IMfez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f07891/32.png) [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/3 "2011-06-11T05:11:45Z")

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Thanks; my main concern is further sight degradation from my heavy computer usage.

Do you recall if he warned you against other prolonged short range activities like TV or reading?

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/4 "2011-06-11T05:18:07Z")

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> [@IMfez](#):
>
> Thanks; my main concern is further sight degradation from my heavy computer usage.
> 
> Do you recall if he warned you against other prolonged short range activities like TV or reading?

Nope, just outdoor stuff. Mind you, that was my Doctor for my eyes, ymmv.

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**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/5 "2011-06-11T12:37:16Z")

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Using a computer won’t degrade your vision, but staring at a computer for long periods of time could decrease how often you blink (due to concentration on what you’re reading) and lead to increased dry eye. Since dry eye (temporary or long-term) is a common side effect of LASIK anyway, you may want to discuss that with the ophthalmologist, and may need to use “natural tears”-style eyedrops for a while. (Not the “gets the red out” kind.)

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**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/6 "2011-06-11T12:51:37Z")

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I can tell you that several people I work with have had LASIK, and we all stare at our screens all day. Software Developers and such… I’m friends of at least one, and he hasn’t mentioned anything about having trouble with it. It’s been years.  
-D/a

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**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lasik-and-heavy-computer-usage/585078/7 "2011-06-11T12:54:12Z")

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At about 45 years old (5 years ago), I discovered I needed reading glasses as well as my contact lenses. I was very near sighted.

I decided to LASIC. Didn’t want to have to deal with both glasses and contacts. So far so good. I do still need reading glasses, but at least I got rid of the contacts. I am also in front of a computer 10 hours a day. No problems so far.