Kind Reader, if you’re planning on having LASIK eye surgery, it’s crucial that you don’t wear contact lenses for a certain period before your consultation. No contacts before LASIK consultation is an important requirement because it can affect the accuracy of your eye examination and ultimately, the outcome of your surgery. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why you should avoid wearing contacts before your LASIK consultation, and what you can expect during the examination.
Why Should You Avoid Wearing Contacts Before LASIK Consultation?
If you’re planning to have LASIK surgery, it’s essential to know that you shouldn’t wear contact lenses before your consultation with your eye surgeon. Here’s why.
The Impact of Contact Lenses on the Cornea
Wearing contact lenses can slightly change the shape of the cornea, making precise measurements of your eyes challenging to take. It can also cause corneal warping, which can lead to inaccurate LASIK results. Therefore, your surgeon needs to know the exact shape of your cornea before the LASIK procedure. Wearing contacts before the consultation can lead to inaccurate measurements, and your surgeon may not detect any underlying eye conditions that would disqualify you from LASIK.
The Risk of Infection
The use of contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections, and it’s even more dangerous for those who leave their contacts on for extended periods. Wearing contacts for a long duration decreases the amount of oxygen available to your eyes, creating a thriving environment for bacteria. A LASIK procedure involves making a flap in the cornea that heals itself within 24-48 hours of surgery. However, if you wear contact lenses before LASIK surgery, there is a possibility of bacteria remaining on your cornea, leading to severe eye infections during and after surgery.
How Long Should You Avoid Contacts Before LASIK?
The total time you need to avoid wearing contact lenses before LASIK consultation varies depending on the type of contact lens you use. It’s essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding this matter. In general, if you wear soft contact lenses, you need to stop wearing them for two weeks before the consultation. On the other hand, if you wear hard or gas permeable contact lenses, you need to stop wearing them for at least one month before the consultation.
| No | Type of Contact Lens | Duration to Stop Wearing Before Consultation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soft Contact Lenses | Two weeks |
| 2 | Hard or Gas Permeable Contact Lenses | At least one month |
Precautions to Be Taken Before Lasik
When you have decided to have LASIK and you are searching for a reliable eye center, you should also be aware of the necessary precautions and preparations listed below, including avoiding wearing contact lenses before the LASIK consultation:
No Contacts Before Lasik
Before the LASIK consultation, you should stop wearing contact lenses at least 14-21 days to ensure a more exact measurement of the cornea. Contact lenses, especially hard, gas-permeable lenses, can affect the curvature of the cornea and destabilize the natural tear film. These changes in the corneal curvature can impact the accuracy of the LASIK measurements. Wearing contact lenses can obstruct the precise map of your eyes that your surgeon must create to perform an astigmatism-free, precise LASIK procedure.
Other Precautions
There is no special treatment or rigorsome diet to adhere to before LASIK operation. However, a clean body and sound health are always recommended. Here are a few general precautions that one should take:
Smoking
Smoking can slow down the healing process of your eyes. It is always recommended to reduce or quit smoking before LASIK
procedure, as the smoke can lead to dryness, irritation, and inflamed eyes.
Medications
Before LASIK, discuss with your ophthalmologist all your current and past medications as they may be responsible for slowing
down the healing process of the eye and may interfere with LASIK results.
Alcohol Consumption
Keep alcohol consumption to moderate levels, as drinking in excess may have adverse effects on your health and lead to
dehydration, causing dry eyes and slower recovery.
UV Exposure
Avoid too much direct sun exposure before surgery, as this can cause corneal burns, leading to inflammation and delayed
healing. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes
Lash Extensions
If you like wearing false eyelashes, extensions, or lash perm, it is recommended to stop using them before
the surgery.
Hygiene Precautions
The eyes are a sensitive part of the body, and we need to take extra care of them. Follow hygiene protocols such as washing
your hands before touching your eyes, cleaning your eyelids with warm water, and avoiding rubbing your eyes too hard.
To have better eye health, certain precautions should be taken to ensure the best results for the LASIK procedure.
| No | Important Information |
|---|---|
| 1 | Patients should not wear contact lenses for a certain amount of time before their Lasik consultation depending on their type of contact lenses. |
| 2 | Soft contact lens wearers should stop wearing them at least 2 weeks before the consultation. |
| 3 | Gas permeable contact lens wearers should stop wearing them for at least 3 weeks before the consultation. |
| 4 | Patients who wear toric lenses or lenses for astigmatism should not wear them for at least 3 weeks before their consultation. |
| 5 | Patients who fail to follow the contact lens guidelines may have to reschedule their Lasik consultation. |
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Contact Lenses Before Lasik Consultation
If you are considering Lasik surgery to correct your vision problems, you need to know that wearing contact lenses before your consultation can have an impact on the surgery. Here are some reasons why:
Effect on Cornea
Wearing contacts regularly can cause changes in the shape of your cornea. This is because the contact lenses apply pressure to the cornea in order to stay in place. This change in the shape of the cornea can cause inaccurate measurements during your Lasik consultation which can lead to incorrect prescription for the surgery. This can lead to complications during the surgery, and may even result in it being unsuccessful.
Effect on Eye Health
When you wear contact lenses, the lenses attract and accumulate dust and bacteria from your surroundings. The bacterial growth on the contact lenses can lead to serious eye infections and other complications. Wearing contacts regularly can lead to chronic inflammation and redness in the eyes, which may make it unsuitable to undergo Lasik surgery until the inflammation has gone.
| No | Website | Subtitle |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nvisioncenters.com | No Contacts Before LASIK Consultation: Here’s Why |
| 2 | Lasikplus.com | Removing Contacts For LASIK: What You Need To Know |
| 3 | Lasiksurgerynews.com | Why You Shouldn’t Wear Contact Lenses Before LASIK |
| 4 | Lasikmd.com | Preparing for your LASIK or PRK procedure – Guidelines to follow |
| 5 | Aao.org | LASIK Surgery: What You Need to Know |
| 6 | Coastalvisionva.com | Why You Cannot Wear Contact Lenses During Your Lasik Consultation |
| 7 | Lasereyesurgeryhub.com | Contact Lenses Before LASIK – What You Need To Know |
It is important to be prepped for your Lasik consultation. Make sure to follow all the guidelines provided by your doctor to ensure the best possible outcome for your Lasik surgery. In the next section, we’ll talk more about the benefits of not wearing contact lenses before the Lasik consultation.
Why should you avoid wearing contacts before a LASIK consultation?
Wearing contact lenses before a LASIK consultation can affect the accuracy of your eye exam. The shape of your cornea is altered when you wear contact lenses, causing inaccurate measurements during your initial exam. Miscalculations during the exam can lead to unsatisfactory surgery results and affect your vision. For instance, you may develop glare, halos, and other vision problems that could have been avoided with proper pre-surgery instructions.
Corneal Warpage
Wearing contacts before a LASIK consultation can cause corneal warpage. Corneal warpage happens when your cornea changes shape after you take out your contact lenses, creating an inaccurate reading of your corneal curvature. This inaccuracy can mislead the surgeon, leading to inadequate adjustments during the surgery. Corneal warpage can also result in dry eye syndrome, double vision, and other vision problems. This is why it is important to follow the surgeon’s guidelines for contacts before your LASIK consultation.
Soft vs. Hard Contacts
Both hard and soft contact lenses can cause corneal warpage. However, hard contact lenses can affect the shape of your cornea more severely than soft contact lenses. This is because they have a more rigid form and leave visible corneal marks when you take them out. For accurate pre-surgery measurements of your corneal curvature, your surgeon may require you to stop wearing hard contact lenses for several weeks before your LASIK consultation.
Disadvantages of Wearing Contacts Before LASIK Consultation
While contact lenses can be a convenient and comfortable way to correct vision, wearing them before LASIK consultation can cause potential problems. Here are some of the disadvantages:
Dry Eyes
Wearing contacts changes the natural shape of the cornea, which can alter the quantity and quality of tear production. This can ultimately lead to dry eyes and discomfort during LASIK surgery. It is important to let the eyes return to their natural state for a certain period of time prior to consultation to ensure accurate measurements and successful surgery.
Incorrect Measurements
Wearing contacts before LASIK consultation can alter the shape of the cornea, causing inaccurate measurements for the procedure. This can impact the results of the surgery and lead to poor vision outcomes. As a result, it’s important to avoid wearing contacts before the consultation process to ensure accurate measurements and successful surgery.
| No | Source |
|---|---|
| 1 | https://www.doughertylaservision.com/blog/why-you-shouldnt-wear-contacts-before-your-lasik-consultation/ |
| 2 | https://www.lasiksurgerynews.com/2018/07/10/can-i-wear-contact-lenses-before-lasik-surgery/ |
| 3 | https://www.fichte.com/lasik-buffalo-ny/lasik-before-and-after-care/contacts-before-lasik-surgery/ |
| 4 | https://www.elmaneyelaser.com/2018/11/patient-must-remove-contact-lenses-before-lasik-surgery/ |
| 5 | https://www.seemedrkeamy.com/should-you-wear-contact-lenses-before-lasik-surgery/ |
| 6 | https://www.ny2020.com/wearing-contacts-before-lasik-surgery.html |
| 7 | https://www.northernoptics.com/blog/before-lasik-surgery-utmost-necessary-care |
What Happens If You Wear Contacts Before Your LASIK Consultation?
It is crucial to avoid wearing contact lenses 2-4 weeks prior to your LASIK consultation to provide accurate measurements for the laser treatment. Wearing contact lenses can physically change the shape of your cornea, making it more challenging for the eye doctor to determine your cornea’s natural shape and thickness, which is essential in LASIK treatment planning.
Can Wearing Contact Lenses Cause LASIK Complications?
Wearing contacts before LASIK could lead to inaccurate measurements, which can cause LASIK complications down the road. During the LASIK procedure, the laser reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive errors that make it difficult for you to see clearly. If inaccurate measurements cause under-correction or over-correction, it can result in blurry vision after LASIK. Moreover, the pre-operative measurements help the eye surgeon create a customized surgical plan, and wearing contact lenses before LASIK may distort the measurement data and lead to an unsuccessful laser vision correction outcome.
How Long Should You Stop Wearing Contacts Before LASIK Consultation?
Patients are advised to stop wearing contact lenses 2-4 weeks before LASIK consultation to give the cornea enough time to return to its natural shape. Most eye doctors advise their patients to stop using contact lenses two weeks before the LASIK consultation but can suggest a different time frame depending on the type and duration of contact lenses you have been using. It is crucial to follow your ophthalmologist’s guidelines to obtain accurate measurements and obtain the best possible LASIK outcomes.
Why No Contact Lenses Before LASIK Consultation?
Wearing contact lenses and undergoing LASIK eye surgery should be avoided for a specific period before the consultation. Contact lenses alter the shape of the cornea temporarily, causing corneal swelling, and LASIK eye surgery aims to change the cornea’s shape permanently. Therefore, wearing contact lenses before LASIK consultation could affect the results of the examination by masking the cornea’s natural shape. Inaccurate measurement of the cornea’s shape could lead to a failed outcome and medical complications after surgery. LASIK medical facilities usually have their guidelines on contact lens wear before LASIK consultations, and it’s essential to adhere to them.
Minimum Wearing Period of Contact Lenses Before LASIK Consultation
The recommended period to stop wearing contact lenses before LASIK consultation varies depending on the type of contact lens used by the patient. It could range from five days to several weeks, subject to the contact lens’ materials and strength. Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, soft contact lenses, and toric contact lenses have a varying recommended window of discontinued wearing before LASIK consultation. Patients should ask their eye specialists to get specific instructions on when they should cease wearing contact lenses.
Avoidance of Infection and Other Complications
Wearing contact lenses before LASIK consultation could expose the patient to severe eye infections and other complications. Contact lens products may contain bacteria or other foreign organisms that could cause irritation and inflammation after LASIK eye surgery. Wearing contact lenses for an extended period could also cause dryness and discomfort in the eye, affecting the accuracy of LASIK eye surgery examination. In some cases, LASIK eye surgery could worsen eye problems caused by extended contact lens wear. Patients should avoid wearing contact lenses as per their eye specialists’ guidelines to avoid these complications.
No Contacts Before LASIK Consultation
Here are some frequently asked questions about the no contacts rule before a LASIK consultation.
1. Why can’t I wear contacts before a LASIK consultation?
Wearing contacts can alter the shape of your cornea, which can affect the accuracy of your LASIK evaluation. To get the most accurate results, it’s important to leave your contacts out for a specific amount of time before your consultation.
2. How long do I need to be without contacts before my LASIK consultation?
The amount of time you need to be without contacts varies depending on the type of contacts you wear. Soft contacts require a minimum of one week without them before the consultation, while rigid gas permeable lenses may require up to four weeks.
3. What will happen if I don’t follow the no contacts rule before my LASIK consultation?
If you don’t adhere to the no contacts rule, you may not get an accurate evaluation of your vision. This can lead to unsatisfactory LASIK results or even postoperative complications.
4. Can I wear glasses instead of contacts before my LASIK consultation?
Yes, wearing glasses is fine before your LASIK consultation. Your glasses will not alter the shape of your cornea and can be easily removed during the testing process.
5. What if I can’t see without my contacts?
You can wear your glasses before your LASIK consultation if you can’t see without your contacts. However, you’ll need to make the necessary arrangements to be without your contacts for the required amount of time before your consultation.
6. What can I expect during my LASIK consultation?
Your consultation will include a comprehensive eye exam and an evaluation of your medical history, eye health, and vision. The doctor will determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK and explain the procedure in detail.
7. Can LASIK correct all vision problems?
No, LASIK cannot correct all vision problems. It’s primarily used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
8. Is LASIK painful?
No, LASIK is not painful. It is performed under local anesthesia and patients may feel some pressure or discomfort, but it is generally not painful.
9. Is LASIK safe?
Yes, LASIK is safe when performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon. However, as with any surgery, there are risks and potential complications.
10. How long does the LASIK procedure take?
The LASIK procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes, but the actual laser treatment typically lasts only 1-2 minutes per eye.
11. Will I need to take time off work after LASIK?
Most patients can return to work and resume normal activities within a few days after LASIK.
12. How soon after LASIK can I drive?
Most patients can resume driving within a few days after LASIK, but you should follow your surgeon’s specific instructions.
13. Will I need glasses after LASIK?
Some patients may still require glasses after LASIK for certain activities, such as reading or driving at night.
14. How long do the results of LASIK last?
The results of LASIK are usually permanent, but some patients may need additional enhancements or touch-ups in the future.
15. Can I have LASIK if I have dry eye?
Dry eye can be a complicating factor in LASIK, but it doesn’t necessarily rule out the procedure. Your surgeon will evaluate your dry eye condition to determine if LASIK is appropriate for you.
16. Can LASIK correct presbyopia?
LASIK cannot correct presbyopia, which is an age-related condition that typically requires reading glasses.
17. Is LASIK covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans do not cover LASIK, but you should check with your provider to confirm.
18. Can I finance LASIK?
Yes, financing options are available for LASIK through many providers.
19. How can I prepare for my LASIK consultation?
You should stop wearing contacts for the required amount of time before the consultation, share your medical history and any medications you’re taking, and come prepared with questions for your surgeon.
20. How can I minimize anxiety about LASIK?
It’s natural to feel anxious about LASIK, but educating yourself about the procedure and choosing an experienced and reputable surgeon can help ease your concerns.
21. What if I blink during LASIK?
The LASIK procedure includes a device to keep your eye open and prevent blinking.
22. What if I move during LASIK?
During LASIK, your surgeon will use a tracking system to follow any eye movements and adjust the laser accordingly.
23. Can LASIK treat both eyes at once?
Yes, most LASIK procedures treat both eyes at the same time.
24. Can LASIK be performed on one eye?
Yes, in certain cases, LASIK can be performed on just one eye.
25. What if I’m not satisfied with my LASIK results?
If you’re not satisfied with the results of your LASIK procedure, you should talk to your surgeon about possible enhancements or touch-ups.
To avoid potential complications, it’s important to follow the rule of no contacts before a LASIK consultation. Your eye doctor will let you know when it’s safe to resume wearing them after the procedure.
Farewell, Kind Reader
Thank you for taking the time to read about the importance of avoiding contact lenses before your LASIK consultation. We hope this information was helpful in preparing you for your appointment with your eye doctor. Remember, this step is essential for successful LASIK surgery and ensuring the best possible results for your vision. Feel free to visit our website again for more exciting news and articles related to eye care. We wish you all the best on your LASIK journey and look forward to seeing you again soon, Kind Reader!
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