So, you’ve decided to get LASIK or PRK – congratulations! You’re excited to never wear glasses or contacts again but are curious about this rule: do not wear contacts for approximately two weeks before LASIK surgery.
Many people hate the way they look or see in glasses and are tempted to wear their contacts in the weeks leading up to their surgery. But wearing contacts – soft or hard lenses – distorts the cornea out of shape. By removing your lenses for about two weeks, you allow your eyes to return to their original shape before the surgery. Contacts also affect corneal hydration – an important factor in successful LASIK surgery. By removing your contacts you allow your eyes to “reset” before your surgeon takes the measurements for the procedure.
What Happens if I Wear Contacts Before LASIK?
If you wear contacts in the few weeks before your surgery, you risk an unsuccessful surgery. The accuracy of the results can be diminished and require the use of eyeglasses or a repeat procedure. Furthermore, an irregular corneal shape can result and lead to decreased visual quality even with eyeglasses.
When scheduling your surgery, make sure you don’t have any important events within two weeks of surgery where you’d be tempted to wear contacts.
If you’re looking for an experienced LASIK surgeon in Richmond, Virginia, come to Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center. Dr. Lipstock has over 20 years of LASIK experience and was the first surgeon in Virginia to perform the LASIK procedure. To set up your free consultation, call us at 804-288-1543, or use our online scheduler.