When can I use screens after SLT laser treatment?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that after laser trabeculoplasty your vision may be blurry for a couple of hours. The Glaucoma Research Foundation says the eye may be a bit irritated and vision slightly blurry after laser surgery. That is the main thing standing between you and your phone or laptop, and it is measured in hours, not days.

None of the sources cited here place any restriction on reading, computer use, television, or phone use after SLT. BrightFocus Foundation describes laser glaucoma procedures as not requiring any change in daily activities, and the Glaucoma Research Foundation says people generally resume their normal routine the next day.

If screens feel uncomfortable in the first day or two, that usually tracks with the mild inflammation and light sensitivity that the Glaucoma Research Foundation describes as common but generally mild. Lowering screen brightness, taking breaks, and using the eye normally is fine. Persistent or worsening blur beyond the first day is worth a call to your ophthalmologist rather than something to push through.