May I RESTART wearing my RGP contact lenses between the time I completed my ICL consultation/exam, and ICL surgery?

Question

I stopped wearing RGP lenses for 1.5 months leading up to ICL consultation/testing. After testing, my surgeon said that because testing was complete, I could restart wearing my RGP lenses up to the moment of ICL surgery because he had test results for my natural cornea. As this was ICL and not Lasik surgery, he didn't care if my cornea was re-distorted on the day of surgery by restarting RGP wear. I hate wearing my glasses so sounded reasonable, but was this safe and sound advice? any risks?

Brian Boxer Wachler, MD · Answer

This can be surgeon dependent on the answer, but I think most agree that you can resume. In my office, once all your preoperative tests are complete for the Visian ICL we advises patients they can resume contact lens wear up tot he day of the procedure.

Mazin Yaldo, MD · Answer

Yes,
once your surgical measurements have been taken, you can resume wearing your
RGP lenses.  Even if they distort
the shape of your cornea, your surgeon has already calculated what your proper
ICL strength needs to be.  I would
still recommend you be out of your lenses for two days prior to the procedure
itself, to allow your corneas to be healthy and well oxygenated during the
procedure.  And, I am assuming you
are not waiting a long time for the ICL procedure (a few days or weeks…  if months, your measurements would need
to be retaken with your contacts out several weeks).

May I RESTART wearing my RGP contact lenses between the time I completed my ICL consultation/exam, and ICL surgery?

Answers (2)