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.

We typically ask patients to remove contacts and any piercings prior to any cosmetic surgery

You should definitely have your contact lenses removed before any type of surgery to help prevent a corneal injury. You should also have any piercings removed as well. Your surgeon will review this with you prior to surgery.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

I believe it is a bad idea for you to wear contact lenses during surgery and I don't have my patients wear them.  Too many risk factors for injury to the eye.  Good luck.

It would be best to not wear your contact lenses during surgery but instead bring a pair of glasses with you.

I am sorry but you should not keep your contact lenses in during surgery this is to protect your corneas from injury at any time.

 

It is not a good idea because of the risk of corneal injury. A better question would be why would you want to as you are asleep under general and will not see anything anyways.

My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.


 

No, you should not wear your contacts during surgery. You can take them out before and put them back in after surgery if you like. I advise patients to bring their glasses the day of sugery with its case.