Contact Lenses During Surgery?

Many patients have questions about whether or not they can wear their contacts during surgery.  For patients undergoing general anesthesia for any procedure, we always recommend that they remove their contact lenses prior to surgery and bring glasses to wear while they are in the pre and post-op area.  The reason we request this, is that during general anesthesia a protective ointment is applied to the cornea and the eyes are typically taped or patched closed to protect the cornea from drying out during surgery.  if you are having a procedure done under IV sedation that does not involve a facial procedure, then you may be allowed to wear your contacts without any increased risk of corneal irritation.  If you don't have glasses and are concerned about not being able to see, bring your contact lens case with you and you won't need to remove your contact lenses  until immediately before surgery, and should be able to put them right back in as soon as you are awake and alert. Good luck to you.   

It would be best for you to remove your contact lenses before your surgery. You can bring them with you and put them in after surgery if you like, with your surgeons approval. 

 Patient is asked to remove contacts before the surgery. You can use them after you fully recover from anesthesia and if your surgery did not invole eyelids/eyes. The best is to plan on wearing the glasses on the day of your procedure. The same rule apply to jewelry and body piercing.