LASIK Q&A
82%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
146 Reviews
LASIKbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average LASIK Cost: $3,241

Learn about LASIK

348 people and 41 doctors are talking about LASIK

Get Free Email Updates

Wearing Contacts Before LASIK?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Anthony J. Kameen, MD
Question viewed 8,216 times

I had a consult for Lasik surgery 5 or 6 years ago, and at the time I was told I couldn't wear my contacts during the 3 weeks before surgery, which was why I never went through with it. I can't stand to wear my glasses for more than a few hours. Has anything changed?

3 answers to Wearing Contacts Before LASIK?

+2

Contacts before LASIK

Unfortunately, the protocols are similar today. Even though the contact lenses are much better today they can still alter your corneal shape and thickness. If measurements are taken when you have not been out of lenses for several weeks, this can lead to an inaccurate surgery. This is a risk that neither you nor the surgeon should take.
Steven Dell, MD

Austin Ophthalmologist
+1

Contacts Removed Before LASIK

Contact lenses always must come out before LASIK. Depending on the type of contact lenses you are wearing(hard vs soft vs toric) the time will vary. In my practice, regular soft lenses need to be out 10 days before surgery, toric lenses two weeks and gas permeable lenses must be out one month for every decade you have worn them, I know this sounds harsh, but getting your cornea back to its natural shape is vital to a good and accurate outcome. I often say that leaving your contacts out... more
Anthony J. Kameen, MD

Baltimore Ophthalmologist

www.kameen.com

+1

You must give up contacts before LASIK

Contact lenses often cause what is called "spectacle blur." This means that the contacts make your glasses not exactly correct due to the swelling or distortion of the shape of your eye which can affect the readings doctors take of your eyeglass prescription. The laser must be programmed with your correct prescription to achieve a good LASIK or PRK result. It takes some time for the cornea to return to normal. In the case of hard contact lenses this can be months, and with soft... more
Jon Dishler, MD

Denver Ophthalmologist

Ask a question