Wearing 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.

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

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