How to read after Lasik surgery with text to speech

People with vision problems often struggle with daily tasks involving reading. Even with reading glasses, eye strain and headaches can occur often. Fortunately, advancements in ophthalmology have allowed eye surgeons to correct refractive errors. Consequently, many people contemplate improving their vision through laser eye surgery and the LASIK procedure.

During recovery, you won’t be able to do much reading. However, there are ways you can enjoy the written word while resting your eyes post-surgery.

We’ll discuss this corrective action and how assistive technology like text to speech (TTS) can help patients who have undergone LASIK surgery.

What is Lasik?

LASIK surgery is one of the most well-known laser refractive procedures for repairing vision problems. Patients who choose this option often want an effective solution to stop wearing contact lenses or reading glasses.

During the procedure, a LASIK surgeon uses a special cutting laser to alter the shape of the cornea, which is the clear tissue in the front part of the eye. 

But why is it necessary to reshape the cornea? The cornea should refract or bend light directly towards the back section of the eye into the retina. However, conditions like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism degrade eye health, resulting in incorrect light refraction and blurred vision. 

While glasses and contact lenses have long been the go-to way to improve vision, reshaping the cornea with LASIK surgery is another option. 

To determine whether a patient is a good candidate for the procedure, an ophthalmologist will schedule an eye exam and look for the following:

• Elevated eye pressure
• Dry eyes
• Inflammation
• Infection 
• Enlarged pupils

Additionally, the eye doctor will measure the cornea’s contour, shape, and thickness. The measurements will help them identify the problem areas and how much tissue they need to remove. 

Today, many ophthalmologists use top-notch equipment and wavefront-guided tools to scan the eyes and note irregularities. Not all patients with corneal irregularities qualify for LASIK surgery. For example, when doctors diagnose corneal opacity, they usually recommend corneal transplantation to improve vision.

Why might you get Lasik?

LASIK surgery can be an effective treatment for several eye diseases, some of which are discussed below.

Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the most common vision conditions. Although objects in your vicinity appear clear, items in the distance look blurry. Nearsightedness occurs when the cornea fails to refract light accurately. In ideal conditions, the light should fall on the retina and its nerve tissues. But instead, the light focuses in front of the retina and disperses. This leads to the retina picking up a distorted image that gets worse with distance.

If unaddressed, this refractive error can lead to other complications, including cataracts, retinal detachment, and glaucoma.

Hyperopia

People with hyperopia see far-away objects better than those that are closer. Farsightedness usually occurs when the eyeballs are shorter than expected or the cornea is slightly curved. In an inverse from myopia, the light focuses behind the retina, making it pick up a somewhat incomplete image from nearby objects. Severe farsightedness can cause difficulties with depth perception.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism causes blurry vision and is typically the result of an irregular eye shape. It’s a hereditary condition. But it sometimes develops after injury, disease, or surgery. Moreover, astigmatism is associated with age-related changes, and the symptoms can be more severe for people over 50.

If you have any of the above conditions, you’ve likely worn glasses or contacts for years. While LASIK surgery may sound like a great option, talk to your eye doctor and ask them about the procedure.

They’ll inform you about the benefits of laser vision correction and assess whether you’re a good candidate. They’ll also recommend reputable surgery centers, describe the potential side effects, and explain what patients should do during recovery.

Reading after Lasik – The simple solution

You may have heard people have had positive experiences with LASIK, but can you read directly after refractive eye surgery?

Eye care experts recommend that patients rest their eyes during the first 24 hours post-surgery. After this period has elapsed, most people can return to their daily routines as long as they lubricate their eyes with eye drops.

But remember that each person follows a unique healing pattern. You should work closely with your doctor to find the best recovery plan that fits your schedule. Should you experience any side effects, it may be challenging to return to work or school or do daily chores.

Some patients may struggle with reading due to increased eye sensitivity. The good news is that you don’t have to say goodbye to reading after the procedure. Modern text to speech (TTS) tools can assist you in staying on top of your tasks without straining your eyes.

TTS software and similar accessibility solutions are great for people with learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia and those with vision impairments. TTS or read-aloud apps process digital text and convert it into high-quality audio files. Some advanced options use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. As a result, you can take a picture of a page from a book, and the software will read it aloud.

Although helpful in special education, robust TTS programs are invaluable for speed reading, boosting productivity, and those recovering from LASIK eye surgery. Furthermore, TTS can help those who have undergone cataract surgery tackle reading tasks until blurry vision disappears.

Why use text to speech for reading?

TTS software is invaluable for those who want to read, write, or learn during recovery. Several apps like Speechify offer natural-sounding voices, giving LASIK patients quick access to content like magazines, documents, encyclopedias, and e-books.

Instead of wasting time staring at a screen, you can relax and treat yourself to a podcast-like experience.

Speechify – The TTS reader for Lasik patients

You may wonder which TTS solution is the most suitable for LASIK patients. Speechify has amassed countless satisfied users who appreciate the app’s simple interface, impressive language selection, and numerous customization options. Best of all, you can download the audio files and listen on the go. For LASIK patients, this means they can shield their eyes from the harsh glare of their screens.

You can download the Speechify Chrome extension and use your computer as a reading device or install the iOS or Android mobile app.

Try Speechify for free today to get familiar with its features. You can sign up for a Premium plan to elevate your listening experience further. 

FAQ

Can you text after laser eye surgery?

It’s best to wait 24 hours after the procedure before using your devices so your eyes can heal. 

How can I use my phone after Lasik?

You can use your phone after Lasik surgery if you don’t strain your eyes. A few years ago, this meant only listening to music or a handful of available audiobooks. Today, LASIK patients can use TTS apps to listen to digital or printed text.