Why Can’t I Wear Contacts Before LASIK?

If you are a contact lens wearer who is interested in LASIK eye surgery for vision correction and to reduce your dependency on contacts, it’s important to be aware of the restrictions surrounding wearing contact lenses before your LASIK consultation. Prior to a LASIK consultation and surgery, it is vital that contact lenses not be worn for a certain period of time. This is because contact lenses can alter the shape of the cornea.

During your LASIK consultation in Rapid City, Dr. Wright will take measurements of your eye and will evaluate the curvature of your cornea to assess your candidacy and develop a treatment plan that fits the dimensions of your eye. If the corneal measurements during the LASIK consultation are not precise, this could compromise the accuracy of your LASIK surgery.

Prior to getting LASIK, many patients are dependent on their contacts for day-to-day vision correction. Though it might seem like an inconvenience, it’s important to follow Dr. Wright’s instruction to stop wearing your lenses before your initial evaluation. How long you must go without your contacts prior to your LASIK appointment will depend on what type of contact lenses you wear. Typically, if you wear soft contact lenses you will need to discontinue wearing them about two weeks prior. For toric or rigid soft lenses, the timeframe is around three weeks. For hard contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them approximately four weeks before.

A surgical plan that is based on the most accurate measurements of your eyes will significantly increase the likelihood that you’ll be satisfied with the results of your LASIK surgery. By following all the preoperative instructions Dr. Wright provides, your LASIK procedure has a greater likelihood of resulting in the long-term correction you want.

If you’re ready to ditch the contacts and pursue LASIK surgery, contact Great Plains Eye Specialistsat 605-718-5123 or website today to schedule your LASIK consultation.