Will it be OK to wear sunglasses after rhinoplasty?

Question

I'm going on holiday for 3 weeks and I'm concerned about wearing sunglasses, I haven't had them on yet since my op! I had closed septo-rhinoplasty 18 weeks ago. I had hump removal & my nose broken. Will it be ok to wear sunglasses? Thanks in advance!

Jamil Asaria, MD · Answer

Most surgeons will advise you not to wear glasses or sunglasses after having a rhinoplasty for six weeks after your surgery. This applies when surgery is performed where the hump is taken down and the bones fractured (osteotomies) as you had. 18 weeks after your rhinoplasty, most surgeons would have no issues with you wearing glasses.

	Dr. Jamil Asaria

	FACE Cosmetic Surgery, Toronto, Canada

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Since glasses put weight on the nose it's best to avoid wearing them while healing, however it sounds like your nose has gotten strong enough to support them. If your nose is still sensitive, you may want to use a nasal splint that is taped onto the nose before wearing them. This splint will help absorb the weight of the glasses and reduce the risk of permanent nasal bone damage. It's better to ask your surgeon if it's okay to start wearing sunglasses.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

I typically recommend that my patients not wear glasses until 8 weeks after their surgical procedure especially if bony work was done. I would check with your physician and follow their advice.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

Without special circumstances I allow my patients to use sunglasses or glasses 6 weeks after surgery. Every surgeon has their own special ways to do things so you need to ask you surgeon for the final answer.

Alexander Ovchinsky, MD · Answer

I usually recommend not to use glasses for 6-8 weaks after rhinoplasty. I have seen several cases of pinched-in nasal bones due to the use of heavy glasses. You are 18 weeks post-op, so I don't think wearing a sunglasses should be a problem now.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I usually allow patients to wear sunglasses after about 6 weeks, provided that everything has healed OK.

Mark Samaha, MD · Answer

Wearing sunglasses, even a few weeks after rhinoplasty causes no harm or damage. So after 18 weeks, I would not be concerned. All the best. M. Samaha, MD

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

At 4 1/2 months after a full rhinoplasty, you should be fine to put pressure from periodic sunglass use on the newly shaped nasal bridge. If the bridge is no longer tender, you will cause no harm. I would check with your surgeon to be certain.

Stuart B. Kincaid, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

Usually we tell our patients to wait for 6-8 weeks before using heavy sunglasses. Every practice is different.

Donald Nunn, MD (retired) · Answer

I do not believe that wearing sunglasses will harm your result. Sometimes it could be an issue if you had a dorsal graft placed. Check with your surgeon to be sure. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Will it be OK to wear sunglasses after rhinoplasty?

Answers (11)

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