How Long After Rhinoplasty Can I Wear Glasses?

For individuals who have significant vision problems without their glasses, the question of when they can resume wearing them after rhinoplasty is a common concern. During the initial consultation, they often ask their doctor when they will be able to wear their glasses post-surgery.

Wearing glasses after rhinoplasty

Swelling in the soft tissues around the nose can be observed after rhinoplasty surgery. If nasal bone correction surgery was performed, both bone and cartilage tissues may be more sensitive. Wearing glasses for long hours puts pressure on the nose, which can strain these sensitive tissues. This pressure can cause problems in the areas corrected during surgery.

Until the healing process is complete, the nasal tissues should be protected from all kinds of trauma. Even if the nose hasn't sustained any direct trauma, using glasses during the healing period may prevent the desired surgical outcomes. Moreover, wearing glasses may increase tissue sensitivity and cause pain.

Your doctor will give you detailed instructions regarding glasses after rhinoplasty.

How long after rhinoplasty can i wear glasses?

After rhinoplasty, it is necessary to wait before wearing glasses. Wearing glasses for extended periods during the healing phase can cause damage to the nasal tissues, delay healing, and may lead to unsatisfactory surgical outcomes.

It's recommended to avoid wearing glasses for at least 3-4 months following rhinoplasty. Ideally, glasses should not be worn for 6 months after the procedure.

Is wearing glasses after rhinoplasty harmful?

The final result of a rhinoplasty depends not only on the skill of the surgeon but also on the postoperative care. During the first few months after surgery, the nasal tissues are still healing. Prolonged pressure from glasses on the nose can lead to complications. Wearing glasses for long periods may cause the nasal tip to droop, and undesirable indentations in the nasal tissues may occur. Therefore, wearing glasses after rhinoplasty can be harmful.

During rhinoplasty, procedures are performed on the soft tissues of the nose as well as the cartilage and bone structures. The healing process and the nose taking its final shape can take around 12 months. Before wearing glasses post-surgery, you must get approval from your doctor.

When can glasses be worn after rhinoplasty?

It is generally recommended to wait about 3-6 months before wearing glasses after rhinoplasty. At the end of this period, your ENT specialist will evaluate the healing of your nasal structures and give you permission to wear glasses.

Can glasses supports be used after rhinoplasty?

In cases where wearing glasses is unavoidable, patients often ask their doctor if they can use supports to minimize the pressure glasses place on the nose. While glasses supports can reduce the pressure to some extent, for optimal healing, it is still better not to wear glasses post-surgery.

Patients who rely on glasses should get accustomed to wearing contact lenses a few months before their rhinoplasty and continue using them after surgery instead of glasses.

How should people who've had rhinoplasty wear glasses?

During your follow-up appointments, your doctor may allow you to wear glasses based on your healing progress. When you begin wearing glasses after rhinoplasty, small adjustments can be made to reduce the pressure on your nose:

• The nose pads of the glasses can be replaced with softer ones.
• The angle of the glasses' arms can be adjusted.
• Choose glasses models that do not touch the nose.
• Glasses supports can be used.
• Lighter, thin-framed glasses can be preferred to reduce weight.

Can glasses affect the shape of the nose?

Although long-term glasses use can alter the shape of the nose, these changes are usually not permanent. However, wearing glasses after rhinoplasty can affect the shape of the nose. It's important to wait for the nasal tissues to heal and get approval from your doctor before wearing glasses again.

Using contact lenses instead of glasses after rhinoplasty

For individuals who rely on glasses throughout the day due to vision impairments, using contact lenses instead of glasses after rhinoplasty is advised.

It may take some time to get used to contact lenses. Ideally, patients should start using contact lenses a few months before surgery. During the postoperative period, patients should maintain good hand hygiene, care for their lenses properly, and place them correctly. Practicing lens use before surgery will help patients avoid touching their nose or spending long periods in front of the mirror when using their lenses after rhinoplasty.

How soon after rhinoplasty can contact lenses be worn?

If there is no swelling in the nasal tissues, contact lenses can be worn the day after surgery. However, if swelling is present, it's better to wait at least 3 days before using contact lenses.

Wearing sunglasses after rhinoplasty

Sunglasses are typically worn for shorter periods than prescription glasses, but it's still important to allow some time for healing before wearing them. Patients who wish to wear sunglasses after rhinoplasty should wait about 3-4 months. It's best to consult with your doctor before wearing sunglasses post-surgery.

When is the earliest time to start wearing glasses after rhinoplasty?

The earliest time to wear glasses after rhinoplasty is around 6 weeks, but this depends on the individual's healing process, the nature of the surgery, and how long they intend to wear the glasses. Starting to wear glasses too soon after surgery can lead to complications with the surgical outcomes.

Patients should not resume wearing glasses without first consulting their doctor.