Contact lenses are a popular vision aid used by many people with refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. However, if you are planning to undergo refractive surgery like LASIK or SMILE Pro, it is important to remove your contact lenses beforehand. Why is this highly recommended? Here’s the explanation.

The Effect of Contact Lenses on Corneal Shape

Contact lenses, especially rigid or semi-rigid ones, can affect the shape of your cornea. A cornea that has been altered by contact lens use may not reflect the true natural condition of your eye. This can lead to less accurate eye examination results.

The Importance of Accurate Eye Examinations

Before undergoing LASIK or SMILE Pro, eye doctors need to perform detailed examinations to measure the shape and thickness of the cornea, as well as the overall condition of the eye. If contact lenses are still being worn during the examination, the data obtained may be inaccurate, which could affect the surgical planning and final outcome.

Recommended Time to Remove Contact Lenses

To ensure accurate examination results, doctors usually advise removing contact lenses:

• At least 2 week before the examination for soft contact lenses.
• At least 4 weeks before the examination for rigid or semi-rigid contact lenses.

This time allows the cornea to return to its original shape, making the examination results more reliable.

Risks of Not Removing Contact Lenses

If contact lenses are not removed as recommended, potential risks include:

• Inaccurate examination results.
• Improper surgical planning.
• Increased risk of post-operative complications.
• Suboptimal vision outcomes.

Understanding the importance of removing contact lenses before refractive surgery can help you better prepare and increase the chances of a successful procedure.

For more information and consultation regarding LASIK or SMILE Pro preparation, feel free to contact us and click the “Consult Now” button at mayapadaeyecentre.com to make an appointment