How Soon Can You Wear Sunglasses After Rhinoplasty?

We recommend that patients don’t wear sunglasses for at
least four weeks following rhinoplasty.During this period, the nasal bones aren’t totally healed and slight
pressure can cause distortion, indentation and secondary nasal deformities.When
patients are dependent upon their sunglasses, alternate strategies are
occasionally necessary.When nasal
splints are present, eye glasses can be placed directly on top of these stable
structures without concern.The splints
are usually removed after the first week and other approaches become
necessary.We
often recommend taping the glasses to the forehead.In some cases, additional padding can be
attached to the nasal eye glass pads as well.When patients
require eyeglasses to function, these maneuvers represent a significant
disruption of daily activities.With
this in mind, it’s important to remember that the benefits of rhinoplasty will
last an entire lifetime.

The only way to really know if your sunglasses affected the outcome of your surgery is for you to return to see your surgeon. He or she will have a better understanding based on insight from the surgery itself. In all likelihood, the odds are that you did not cause any problems, but I would check with your surgeon, just in case.In general I advise my patients to wait 3-4 weeks before wearing sunglasses; however, if the glasses are lightweight certain techniques can minimize pressure on the nasal bridge, such as taping the central part of the glasses between the eyebrows or wedging the ends of the frames in the hair around the ears to minimize touching nasal bridge.

You don’t want to irritate or put extraneous pressure
on your new nose too early in the recovery, as your nose is still extremely
sensitive. I would advise you to wait about 4-6 weeks after your nose job to
resume wearing glasses. Since you are three weeks into your recovery, you are
not far from that mark. Just be patient with your recovery- the longer you
wait, the better.

I usually will consider allowing patients to wear glasses at the four week point.  Definitely they can 6 weeks after surgery.  This is based on if  osteotomies were done.  The best thing you can do is stop looking in the mirror and visit with your plastic surgeon to assure that you healing process is going well.

Good Luck.

Dr ES

Hi deutschess,

By three weeks after rhinoplasty your nasal bones should be well healed, and it is okay to wear sunglasses, preferably light weight sunglasses.  Most likely you have not done damage to your nose, but see your rhinoplasty surgeon for exam and reassurance.  Good luck, enjoy your new nose, and be well.

Dr. P