Why Stop Wearing Contacts Before My LASIK Exam?

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. Wilmarth’s instruction to stop wearing your lenses before your initial evaluation.

Contact lenses alter the shape of the cornea. The cornea will resume its shape if you stop wearing contacts, but those changes can take several weeks to take place.

During your LASIK exam, Dr. Wilmarth will take measurements of your eye to assess your candidacy and develop a treatment plan that fits the dimensions of your eye. Wearing contacts too soon before the appointment can throw off these measurements and potentially lead to undesirable results after the procedure.

The type of contact lens you wear will determine how long you will have to forgo contacts. If you wear soft contact lenses, switch to glasses two weeks before your evaluation. Add an extra week if you wear a soft toric lens or rigid gas permeable lenses.

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 of the preoperative recommendations Dr. Wilmarth provides, your laser vision procedure has a greater likelihood of resulting in the long-term correction you want.

To schedule your free vision consultation, please contact Wilmarth Eye and Laser Center online or call today. Dr. Wilmarth provides LASIK and other vision services to patients in and around Folsom.